CAIRO - A number of former ministers and businessmen, accused of wasting public funds, are filing for 'reconciliation', an official judicial source told Al-Gomhuria newspaper. “Ahmed Ezz, the prominent steel tycoon and former Secretary for Organisational Affairs at the National Democratic Party (NDP), declared he was willing to pay LE660 million if the investigation into his affairs was stopped,” said the source. “Former Minister of Housing Ahmed el-Maghrabi offered to pay LE392 million in return for freezing the investigation. el-Maghrabi is accused of misusing public funds,” added the source. “Former Trade and Industry Minister Rashid Mohamed Rashid offered to pay LE9.5 million. Rashid, who has escaped to Dubai, is accused of harming public funds,” the official said. “Businessman Hesham el-Hazeq offered to give up five million metres of land he seized illegally. Mounir Ghabbour, also a businessman, was willing to pay LE72 million to avoid investigation,” added the official. “The law allows citizens accused of wasting or harming public funds to request reconciliation,” stated legal sources. “The law also allows freezing an investigation in case the 'wasted' money is paid back,” added the source. In previous cases, the Prosecution and the Court of Cassation froze investigations and released suspects who were willing to pay.
