Halliburton to pay $559 million to settle bribery probe

Source:  Reuters

Halliburton Co will pay a $559 million fine to end an investigation of its former KBR Inc unit if the U.S. government approves the settlement, the largest penalty against a U.S. company for charges of bribery under federal law.

Halliburton, once headed by former Vice President Dick Cheney, said it was awaiting final approval from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to settle claims that KBR violated anti-bribery laws by paying kickbacks to Nigerian officials.

Under the settlement, Halliburton would pay $382 million to the Department of Justice and $177 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission in “disgorgement.”

KBR did not comment on the proposed settlement. Halliburton said in regulatory filings last July that it was in settlement talks with the government.

Dan Newcomb, a partner at law firm Shearman and Sterling in New York who specializes in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) law, said it was likely more companies involved in anti-corruption cases would settle with the U.S. government.

Under the FCPA, it is illegal for U.S. companies or their agents to use bribes to win foreign business.

Full Story

Technorati Tags: Halliburton

Related posts

• Obama blocks access to White House visitor list
• KBR Employee Says She Was Raped and Beaten By Fellow KBR Employee in Iraq
• Halliburton sued for human trafficking
• Goldman Said to Face Criminal Probe by U.S. Prosecutors Examining SEC Case
• DHS helps local police buy military-style sonic devices