The chief executive of billion-dollar fleet-management company Orix has been charged with paying corrupt commissions to an employee of beverage giant Coca-Cola Amatil.

In one of the biggest corporate scandals to hit Australia, police will allege Orix boss John Carter, 53, made corrupt payments of $504,000 to Coca-Cola Amatil's fleet manager in exchange for vehicle leasing contracts.

Police will allege the money was subsequently laundered by the Coca-Cola fleet manager. Credit:Reuters

Police told Fairfax Media they believe the scandal is far wider, possibly involving millions of dollars and years of corruption, and they are urging people to come forward with information.

Mr Carter was taken from his Vaucluse mansion to North Sydney police station at 10am on Thursday and charged with four counts of paying corrupt commissions and one count of money laundering.