Glencore Shadows Linger: Netherlands Fines Gertler-Linked Firm $30M Over Congo Graft [updated]

The Netherlands has imposed a significant fine on Fleurette Properties Ltd., a Netherlands-registered holding company previously linked to Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, in connection with a long-running bribery investigation tied to mining deals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On March 6, 2026, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) issued a penal order requiring Fleurette to pay €25.8 million (approximately $30 million) to settle allegations of foreign bribery.

The company accepted the order, paid the fine, and resolved an eight-year probe without charges against individuals or other entities.

Background of the Case

The investigation, known as "Samos," began in 2018 and focused on whether Fleurette, along with Swiss commodities giant Glencore, engaged in corrupt practices to secure lucrative mining licenses in the DRC.

Prosecutors alleged that between 2010 and 2011, Fleurette bribed a foreign public official (reported in some sources as the late Congolese businessman and politician Augustin Katumba Mwanke, a key advisor to then-President Joseph Kabila) to obtain copper and cobalt mining rights at below-market prices.

Fleurette served as the top holding company for a group of businesses involved in mining, oil, and gold extraction in the DRC from 2010 to 2017. It was closely associated with Dan Gertler, who has faced U.S. sanctions since 2017 over accusations of corruption in Congolese mining deals.

• (Note: The settlement does not involve new charges against Gertler personally, and Dutch authorities have confirmed the probe's closure without pursuing him.)

A related Dutch investigation into Glencore concluded earlier, with a separate penalty order issued against the Swiss company in 2024, after which charges against it were dropped.

Significance of the Settlement

This case highlights ongoing international scrutiny of corruption in the DRC's mining sector, a critical source of cobalt and copper essential for global electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies.

Allegations of opaque deals, under-the-table payments, and exploitation have long plagued the DRC's vast mineral wealth.

By accepting the penal order, Fleurette acknowledged guilt in bribing A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL[1] to acquire mining licenses, as established by Dutch prosecutors. The company described the matters as "historic" and stated that the payment ends the investigation.

The fine is part of a broader pattern of enforcement actions against entities linked to DRC mining corruption, including settlements in other jurisdictions involving Glencore and Gertler-associated firms.

This development underscores the challenges in combating corruption in high-value resource sectors and the role of European authorities in holding companies accountable for overseas misconduct.

Footnote [1]

The Dutch Prosecution Service press release  

• “By accepting the penal order, Fleurette acknowledged guilt in bribing a single named individual to acquire mining licenses, as established by Dutch prosecutors.
• The company described the matters as "historic" and stated that the payment ends the investigation.”
• The Dutch Prosecution Service press release  consistently refers only to the offence category “foreign [public] official bribery”.
• For reference, please see the English‑language press release from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service:
• https://www.prosecutionservice.nl/latest/news/2026/03/10/fine-fleurette-properties-ltd-for-bribery-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo         

Sources

Here is a compiled list of the main web sources covering recent news on the Netherlands' fine of Fleurette Properties Ltd. for €25.8 million (approx. $30 million) in the Glencore-linked DRC bribery case involving links to Dan Gertler.

These are from reliable outlets, official statements, and news reports dated around March 10–12, 2026.  

• Official / Primary Sources

  • Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) official announcement (in English): https://www.prosecutionservice.nl/latest/news/2026/03/10/fine-fleurette-properties-ltd-for-bribery-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo
  • Dutch Public Prosecution Service home/latest page (references the case): https://www.prosecutionservice.nl/

• News Articles & Reports

  • Global Investigations Review (GIR) – "Netherlands fines company $30m in Glencore-linked DRC bribery case": https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/article/netherlands-fines-company-30m-in-glencore-linked-drc-bribery-case
  • NL Times – "Netherlands-based holding company fined €25.8M for bribing gov't official in Congo": https://nltimes.nl/2026/03/10/netherlands-based-holding-company-fined-eu258m-bribing-govt-official-congo
  • DutchNews.nl – "Dutch shell company fined €25.8 million for Congo corruption": https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/03/dutch-shell-company-fined-e25-8-million-for-congo-corruption
  • Global Legal Insights (GLI) – "Fleurette fined EUR 25.8m over Congo mining bribes": https://www.globallegalinsights.com/news/fleurette-fined-eur-25-8m-over-congo-mining-bribes
  • Lexology Pro – "Netherlands fines company $30m in Glencore-linked DRC bribery case": https://www.lexology.com/pro/content/netherlands-fines-company-30m-in-glencore-linked-drc-bribery-case
  • PR Newswire (Fleurette's statement) – "Fleurette agrees penal order to end Dutch investigation - no individuals charged": https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fleurette-agrees-penal-order-to-end-dutch-investigation---no-individuals-charged-302709407.html
  • Macaubusiness / AFP – "Blacklisted Israeli tycoon's firm settles DR Congo graft probe for $30 million": https://macaubusiness.com/blacklisted-israeli-tycoons-firm-settles-dr-congo-graft-probe-for-30-million
  • MLex – "Fleurette Properties pays bribery fine, says relied on advice on Congo payments": https://www.mlex.com/mlex/articles/2450959/fleurette-properties-pays-bribery-fine-says-relied-on-advice-on-congo-payments
  • Business Insider Africa – "Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler-linked firm pays $30m to settle Dutch Congo mining probe": https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/israeli-billionaire-dan-gertler-linked-firm-pays-dollar30m-to-settle-dutch-congo/qde6q45
  • The New Arab – "Blacklisted Israel tycoon firm settles DRC probe for $30 million": https://www.newarab.com/news/blacklisted-israel-tycoon-firm-settles-drc-probe-30-million
  • IOL (Independent Online) – "Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler's ex-firm Fleurette fined $30m in Dutch DRC bribery probe": https://iol.co.za/news/world/2026-03-10-israeli-billionaire-dan-gertlers-ex-firm-fleurette-fined-30m-in-dutch-drc-bribery-probe

These cover the core facts from official Dutch authorities, company statements, and international media. The story broke around March 10, 2026, based on the penal order issued March 6, 2026.