Jonathan Taylor

Mar 19

Once a respected lawyer working for one of the world’s largest oil companies, Jonathan Taylor made the fateful decision to expose a massive international bribery scheme. The price? His career, his reputation, his freedom, and nearly his sanity.

His story is one of courage and consequence — a reminder of how powerful institutions will stop at nothing to silence those who dare to challenge them. But it’s also a testament to resilience. Because despite the legal battles, the arrests, the threats, and the losses, Jonathan is still standing.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

For nearly a decade, Jonathan was living the life many lawyers dream of. He worked as a senior legal advisor for SBM Offshore, a Dutch multinational that provided equipment and services to the oil and gas industry. Based in Monaco, his job was prestigious and well-paid. But in 2012, everything changed.

An internal investigation at SBM Offshore revealed that between 2005 and 2011, the company had paid more than $275 million in bribes to government officials across multiple countries, including Brazil, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. These bribes were used to secure lucrative contracts, ensuring SBM’s dominance in the industry.

Jonathan was deeply involved in the investigation. But what disturbed him the most wasn’t just the bribery itself — it was the company’s response. Instead of coming clean, Jonathan recounted how SBM’s executives opted for a cover-up.

At this point, he had a choice: stay silent and keep his career intact, or speak out and risk everything.

Blowing the Whistle

In 2012, Jonathan resigned from SBM Offshore and handed over detailed evidence of the company’s corruption to international authorities, including the US Department of Justice, the Dutch authorities, and Brazilian prosecutors.

The impact was immediate.

2014: SBM Offshore paid $240 million to settle charges with the Dutch government.
2017: The US fined SBM $238 million under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
2018. Brazil imposed a $347 million fine, barring SBM from government contracts.

Jonathan’s evidence had exposed one of the largest corporate bribery schemes in modern history. His testimony helped put powerful executives behind bars and forced a global oil giant to answer for its crimes.

But instead of being celebrated for uncovering the truth, Jonathan became a target.

The Targeting: Retaliation Begins

In 2014, SBM filed a criminal complaint against Jonathan in Monaco, accusing him of attempted extortion.

In 2015, SBM sued Jonathan for defamation in the Netherlands, demanding €630,000 in damages and an injunction that would prevent him from speaking publicly. Legal experts referred to this as a SLAPP lawsuit - a strategic legal move designed to intimidate and bankrupt critics.

Jonathan naturally fought back. But even though SBM eventually dropped its lawsuit, the damage had already been done. He had spent years battling in court, racking up legal fees, and watching his reputation be dragged through the mud.

The Arrest in Croatia: A Year in Limbo

For six years, Jonathan lived under the shadow of legal threats. But in July 2020, everything escalated in the most terrifying way possible.

While on a family holiday in Dubrovnik, Croatia, he was arrested at the airport. The Authorities told him he was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice for “bribery and corruption,” requested by the National Crime Agency in Monaco and arising from SBM’s complaint six years earlier.

Jonathan was placed under house arrest for nearly a year. His life was on hold. His career was in ruins. And his family was forced to watch as he became a pawn in a political and corporate game of retaliation.

But luckily for Jonathan, the world was watching. Whistleblower advocacy groups and human rights organizations called for his release. They argued that the extradition request was merely a weaponization of the legal system to punish a whistleblower.

Finally, in July 2021, Croatia’s Minister of Justice Ivan Malenica rejected Monaco’s extradition request. Jonathan was finally free, but the emotional, physical and professional scars remained.

The Fight for Justice

Even after his release, Monaco refused to drop the charges. In March 2022, Jonthan returned voluntarily to Monaco to face his accusers. The case was eventually dismissed, but not before ten years of legal battles and the accompanying stress.

The ordeal had cost him dearly. His marriage had collapsed. His career was over. He had spent a year under house arrest, fearing extradition to a country where he would never get a fair trial.

In 2024, Jonathan launched a defamation lawsuit in the Netherlands against SBM, arguing that the company had falsely branded him a blackmailer.

In September 2024, he partially won in that in an interim decision. A Dutch court ruled that certain of SBM’s statements had been unlawful however the reporting of him to the Monaco prosecutor was deemed to be lawful. The decision will be appealed.

As Jonathan put it:

“This will not bring back my career or the year I lost under house arrest. But it does give me back control of my life.”

A Voice for Whistleblowers

Jonathan’s case is more than just a personal one, it’s a global warning. His story shows how powerful corporations can manipulate the legal system, weaponize Interpol Red Notices, and launch endless legal battles to silence those who expose corruption.

Jonathan now dedicates his time to advocating for whistleblower protections and warning others about the dangers of coming forward. He has spoken at international human rights conferences, advised activists, and pushed for reforms to prevent Interpol from being abused by authoritarian regimes and corrupt actors.

Contact & Advocacy

Jonathan continues to speak out for whistleblower protections and corporate accountability. To learn more, visit his website or get in touch with him on the below details:

+44 (0)7590 893 198

jontaylor16@hotmail.co.uk

www.jonathantaylors.com