The truth is that Derwick Associates continues to create shockwaves. It seems that showing off or attempting to stand above others is embedded in their DNA. A few days ago, I wrote about the crude and futile attempt by the bolichicos to gain legitimacy by placing allegedly positive articles in publications lacking credibility, like Estrategia.cl. However, it appears that now that the bolichicos have decided to “clean their reputation,” surprises will become a regular occurrence. The latest is an alleged award for “Best Ibero-American Initiative,” which was recently given to Derwick Associates in Madrid by Capital magazine:
Capital has celebrated the 2013 Capital Awards under the slogan “Commitment to Spain,” aiming to honor and recognize companies and entrepreneurs who have stood out for their support of our country’s economy and the Brand Spain in 2013. The gala took place at the Casino of Madrid and was sponsored by El Corte Inglés, ONO, and SAGE.
Since the goal of the 2013 Capital Awards was to “honor and recognize companies and entrepreneurs who have supported our country’s economy and Brand Spain in 2013,” I picked up the phone and called the director of the magazine, Arturo Criado, to inquire about Derwick Associates and its “contribution” to “Brand Spain in 2013.” Criado told me that any company could participate in these awards, and he asked me to send him any questions I wanted to ask. Here are the questions with the promise that the responses will be published, without edits, as soon as I receive them.
1. Since when has your publication (Capital magazine) been awarding these prizes?
2. Who makes up (names and professional experience) the group of specialists or business professionals that decides on the awards?
3. What criteria does this group apply in selecting companies for the award?
4. Who nominated the participating companies for the 2013 Capital Awards?
5. What companies, besides Derwick Associates, participated in the category of “Best Ibero-American Initiative” in 2013?
6. What type of due diligence did the judging panel conduct on the companies in the “Best Ibero-American Initiative” category in 2013?
7. Given that the 2013 Capital Awards are preceded by Commitment to Spain, which would indicate that the contestants/awardees are companies involved in what your magazine describes as “promoting Brand Spain,” could you explain how Derwick Associates (a Venezuelan company) has contributed to “promoting Brand Spain”?
8. Are Capital magazine and the panel of specialists who decided to grant the award aware of the multiple publications indicating that Derwick Associates may be involved in the misappropriation of millions of dollars from public funds in contracts obtained in Venezuela?
9. Finally, are Capital magazine and the panel of specialists who decided to grant the award aware of the lawsuit filed in a New York court by a former official of the US government against Derwick Associates for criminal conspiracy, bribery, and other serious violations of US law?