Decoding the Steelgate: The Corruption Case of Mobarakeh Steel Company
According to Iran Gate, the parliamentary investigation report on the Mobarakeh Steel Company corruption case, known as Steelgate, has uncovered extensive corruption and violations within this state-owned company, implicating many government entities. It seems this case is more than just a typical disclosure of misconduct, with behind-the-scenes conflicts between parliament members and Mobarakeh Steel contributing to this major scandal.
In response, Iran Gate decided to decode the information released by the Eleventh Parliament to expose some of the behind-the-scenes relationships. Therefore, a three-part report has been prepared, with the current article being the first part of this trilogy.
A 300-Page Dossier of Violations
Upon the conclusion of the parliamentary investigation into Mobarakeh Steel Company, a 300-page report was published covering the period from October 2018 to July 2021, revealing widespread corruption within the company. This report clearly demonstrates what state management has done with Mobarakeh Steel, one of Iran’s industrial giants. On the other hand, the pressure of sanctions on Iran’s economy, leading to monopolies in industries, has exacerbated the turmoil in state companies.
Accomplices in Crime from the IRGC to the Friday Prayer Headquarters
A quick glance at this 300-page report reveals suspicious and illegal connections between Mobarakeh Steel and many individuals and entities. The report mentions several governmental bodies and individuals, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Isfahan Municipality, the Intelligence Office, provincial governorships, the IRGC, Basij bases, the Ministry of Defense, the Judiciary, the General Tax Administration, Customs, the Arbaeen Headquarters, and the Friday Prayer Headquarters, all of which have a significant and clear presence in the Mobarakeh Steel corruption case.
Additionally, some illegal contracts of Steelgate were signed with companies for which very limited information is available, and it seems these companies only exist on paper.
Steelgate Documents: The Role of Nabati Nejad in the Mobarakeh Steel Corruption Case
Among the names listed in this report, the role of Mobarakeh Steel’s public relations and its then-manager, Hadi Nabati Nejad, is very prominent. It appears that many of Mobarakeh Steel’s violations were carried out under his orders or supervision. Particularly in the area of indiscriminate payments to various media outlets, both conservative and reformist, Nabati Nejad’s significant role is clearly evident.
For instance, in the context of large payments to media outlets such as the Kayhan, Hamshahri, Donya-e-Eqtesad, Ettelaat, Jam-e-Jam, Etemad, Samt, Shargh newspapers, and news agencies like Fars, ISNA, Mehr, Borna, Imna, ILNA, and news websites like Khabar Fori, Tabnak, Bourse News, Rouydad24, Eghtesad Online, Salamat News, and others.
It is essential to ponder why and for what reason an industrial company would permit itself to engage in such extensive violations without facing any objections.
Nabati Nejad was the public relations manager of Mobarakeh Steel from February 2021 to January 2022. Prior to joining this organization, he managed public relations for the Isfahan Municipality and the Basij of the IRIB.
Nevertheless, not only was Nabati Nejad not reprimanded after leaving Mobarakeh Steel, but he was also given a better position and appointed as an advisor to the president and head of public relations at the Isfahan Science and Technology Town.
The Role of Parliament Behind the Scenes of the Mobarakeh Steel Corruption Case
Although the investigation into Mobarakeh Steel revealed many of the company’s corrupt practices, it seems there is more to this story with the parliament. Parliament members have always used investigations as leverage for their demands from companies, especially private banks.
It must be determined what event or disagreement caused the parliament to pursue the Mobarakeh Steel case. On the other hand, the parliament has tried to selectively publish the names of the offenders in this report for political score-settling.
We need to see what the parliament’s demands from Mobarakeh Steel were this time, which the company did not comply with, leading to the selective exposure of Mobarakeh Steel’s related corruptions.
Summary of Financial Statistics and Documents of Steelgate: The Mobarakeh Steel Corruption Case
| ردیف | عنوان | مقدار | واحد |
|---|---|---|---|
| ۱ | حداقل اسناد بدست آمده فولاد گیت | ۳۰۰،۰۰۰ | سند |
| ۲ | حداقل پرونده های تشکیل شده | ۱،۲۰۰ | پرونده |
| ۳ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش سوم | ۷۲،۸۴۰،۶۷۰،۶۳۵،۰۰۰ | ریال |
| ۴ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش چهارم | ۸۶،۳۸۱،۶۹۸،۳۸۲ | ریال |
| ۵ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش پنجم | ۲۶۶،۴۱۵،۰۰۰،۰۰۰،۰۰۰ | ریال |
| ۶ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش ششم | ۵۷۷،۶۸۸،۹۸۰،۹۷۱،۰۰۰ | ریال |
| ۷ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش هفتم | ۱،۷۰۳،۵۴۹،۹۹۶،۸۸۷ | ریال |
| جمع تخلفات مالی پرونده فساد فولاد مبارکه اصفهان | ۹۱۸،۷۳۴،۵۸۳،۳۰۱،۰۰۰ | ریال |
