Shipowner John Fredriksen has said he has no plans to rehire former group chief executive Jo Lunder.
Lunder, who took up the post in May 2015, was arrested a few months later by the Norwegian
National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Okokrim) on charges of corruption at his previous employers Telenor Group and Vimpelcom (now Veon).
Lunder was immediately dismissed from the Fredriksen group.
The charges against him were dropped last year and Lunder and his attorneys at law firm Schjodt have been preparing compensation claims against the Norwegian state.
This week, it became clear that the claims may total up to NOK 500m ($62.5m).
Fredriksen, the Norwegian shipping stalwart, has had his own run-ins with the law. In 1986, he was arrested on charges that his companies stole bunkers from cargo on his tankers. However, these charges were dropped.
The shipowner said he considered raising a claim for compensation, but ultimately decided against it. “It is difficult to succeed with this in Norway,” he said.
Strong reputation
Fredriksen’s decision not to rehire Lunder comes despite the former CEO’s very strong reputation as a businessman.
“We have recruited a number of very talented people and I don’t see a need to recruit more,” Fredriksen said.
Meanwhile, the tycoon said he is not taking part in the celebrations at Posidonia this year. Fredriksen’s father, Gunnar, died recently at the age of 100 and he has been busy with the funeral arrangements.
“Gunnar had a good life. He just switched off the light,” Fredriksen said.
