30 October 2014Copyright

WIPO investigated over misconduct claims

An investigation is being carried out at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) into allegations of misconduct and violations of law, WIPR has learned.

The investigation, with external participation, will assess claims in a report by a WIPO official, filed in April this year, that Director General Francis Gurry ordered a series of burglaries of workers’ offices in order to obtain samples of their DNA.

Following the filing of the report, WIPO said its internal oversight division (IAOD), which examines possible wrong doing, should carry out a preliminary evaluation of the claims made in it.

Under WIPO’s guidelines, a preliminary evaluation tests whether there is credible evidence that a violation of standards of conduct has occurred. If this is established, a full investigation can take place.

WIPR understands a formal investigation began within the last week.

WIPO did not respond immediately to a request for comment. However, Gurry told Fox News after the initial report that “the allegations are without foundation and I have no further comment”. He has also stated that “I have not seen any allegation that is substantiated. Every single allegation is a repetition of a previous allegation that is being made”.

The preliminary evaluation, which took place this summer, was carried out by Netherlands-based Labyrinth Risk Consulting and professional services firm KPMG, WIPR has been told. It is not known whether either or both are involved in the current investigation.

The misconduct report, originally submitted by WIPO’s official for the US James Pooley, alleged that in 2008 Gurry, who was then WIPO’s second most senior official, directed security officers to obtain DNA samples of workers.

It is claimed that the samples were used by police to check if any of the staff members were behind a series of anonymous letters that alleged financial impropriety by Gurry.

Since the alleged DNA incident, Gurry has been accused of covering up the case, according to the misconduct report.

It is also alleged that Gurry improperly influenced the award of a WIPO contract to a company called Argo Pacific, run by an acquaintance of Gurry named Paul Twomey.

The contract centred on an IT project that aimed to improve WIPO’s information access and availability.

It is expected that the latest investigation will take up to four months to complete.

However, WIPR has been told that, regardless of the investigation’s findings, it would be up to WIPO’s member states to decide whether to take action.

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

Copyright
28 September 2015   The US is reportedly set to withhold part of its funding to the World Intellectual Property Organization due to concerns over a delayed investigation into alleged misconduct.
Copyright
23 February 2016   A joint subcommittee at the US Congress will hold a hearing this week on whistle-blowers and accountability at the World Intellectual Property Organization.