Testimony Given by Former Sales Employee on Alleged Corruption within Cork Information Technology Company
In a series of shocking allegations, a former IT salesman at Solar Winds Software Europe DAC, Ali Izzy, is testifying against his ex-boss, Abdul Rehman, under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
According to Izzy, Rehman approved an "unnecessary and unjustified" 62% discount to a distributor, causing a loss of over €500,000 to Solar Winds. This claim was made during the trial, where Izzy also alleged a history of corruption and bribery involving the distributor.
However, Rehman denies ever being offered a bribe by the distributor and maintains that he never gave a 62% discount. Rehman's statement about discounts in the Middle East, specifically that they could "go up to 90%", was disputed by Izzy.
Izzy claims he was offered a bribe of €10,000 by the distributor in the first quarter of 2021, an overture made on behalf of the distributor by a former Solar Winds employee. Despite this, Izzy did not report the alleged bribe attempt earlier due to fear of being penalized by the individual's seniority.
Solar Winds Software Europe DAC is a provider of network monitoring technology that sells its products via third-party distributors. The alleged discount was given in a deal to supply technology to the Saudi government. According to Izzy, the normal range for a distributor discount was 20% to 35%.
Izzy was dismissed from his job following a second disciplinary process on foot of Rehman's complaint of insubordination in connection with the Ministry of Energy deal pricing. Rehman wrote letters to ex-SolarWinds partner companies, stating that Izzy was dismissed due to misconduct, which allegedly ruined Izzy's reputation.
Since his dismissal, Izzy has applied for over 100 jobs but has been unable to find new employment. He believes his boss, Abdul Rehman, had a "side deal" with the distributor.
One of Solar Winds' wholesale distributors in Saudi Arabia was financially struggling in 2023 and had its account on hold from March to November that year.
It's important to note that these allegations are currently being investigated, and Solar Winds has not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter. The distributor allegedly involved in the "side deal" remains unnamed in the reports.
Solar Winds was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange until it was acquired by a private equity firm in February this year. Izzy was earning €197,062 a year when he was dismissed.
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