Guido Ralph Haschke, a middleman in the AgustaWestland deal, allegedly claimed the Ministry of Defence was not satisfied with Agusta helicopters during the negotiation phase and was thinking of awarding the contract to another player, but he swinged the deal in favour of Agusta through his top level contact in the ministry.
Messina Carmelo, an Italian businessman, in his statement to investigators there alleged that Haschke met him between 2005-2006, whom he introduced to Finmeccanica officials, saying he could resolve the issues Agustawestland (AW) was facing in the chopper deal with India. Messina said he was paid 50,000-60,000 Euros in cash by Haschke in 2009 for introducing him to AgustaWestland officials.
His statement also reveals that Haschke told AW officials that Indians found their offer too rigid and of very little off-set opportunity. The businessman said Haschke knew a VIP in the Ministry of Defence, whom he met during his studies in the USA, but didn’t name him.