PAST and present employees of AWB face the "very real" risk of criminal charges over the Iraqi kickbacks scandal, say lawyers for the wheat exporter. Barrister for AWB James Judd told the Federal Court yesterday one reason the company was fighting to keep 1304 documents secret from the Cole inquiry was the belief criminal charges might be laid after commissioner Terence Cole releases his report. AWB is accused of corrupting the UN's oil-for-food program by funnelling $290million in illegal bribes to Saddam's regime in the lead-up to the Iraq war. AWB already faces two civil actions, including a $1 billion class action brought in Washington DC by US wheat farmers, and a possible class action by AWB shareholders in Australia. Mr Judd said the sensitive documents -- the number grew from 1240 to 1304 at the weekend -- were covered by a claim of legal professional privilege.