DOJ Obtains Settlement of FCPA Charges Against Japanese Trading Company, Loses Trial on FCPA Charges Related to Mexican Electricity Contract

FCPA

On January 17, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the settlement of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) charges against a Japanese trading company for a bribery scheme involving Nigerian government officials in connection with a liquid natural gas project. The company agreed to pay a $54.6 million criminal penalty to resolve the charges. Concurrently, the DOJ filed a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), as well as a criminal information that will be dismissed if the company abides by the terms of the DPA for two years.

On the same day, following a four-day jury trial, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas acquitted a former power company executive of multiple FCPA charges related to alleged bribes paid to Mexican officials in connection with an electrical equipment and services contract. The defendant still faces non-FCPA criminal charges, which previously were severed. In 2010, the company settled related charges it faced.