A corruption probe is an investigation of allegations of bribery or other corrupt behaviour. Such investigations may be conducted internally within an organisation (through disciplinary procedures) or externally, through regulatory or criminal procedure. In any case, it is essential that a thorough and fair investigation takes place. Grand corruption is rarely proven by a single piece of evidence, and it is often necessary to piece together many different parts of the story like a jigsaw in order to see the whole picture.
Corruption is a global problem with far-reaching implications. It undermines political, economic and social stability, and provides a fertile ground for organised crime, including terrorism. Corruption can also hamper economic development, as it creates a climate where illegal financial activities flourish and the cost of doing business increases.
Many organisations have a desire to address corruption, and some even have designated ethics officers to assist employees with such issues. However, there is a wide range in how well such systems work. They should be clear and transparent, with procedures in place to handle reports of suspected corruption.
At the same time, it is important to remember that even the best investigations and prosecutions will capture only a small minority of corruption. This is because of the complexity of the problem, the difficulty of detecting it and the varying degrees of sophistication of the criminals involved. For example, consider the recent US case of Rita Crundwell, comptroller for the city of Dixon. She was arrested after a long investigation in which the FBI subpoenaed bank records and discovered that she had stolen millions of dollars from her employer over the years.