The U.S. Justice Department’s decision to end its high-profile foreign bribery sting case in Washington was met with sharp criticism from the trial judge and relief from defense attorneys who were preparing for another lengthy trial.
DOJ last week abandoned the prosecution of 22 people on violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, walking away from a case that department leadership trumpeted as a centerpiece in the stepped-up battle against foreign bribery. The prosecution, built around a lengthy undercover sting and a fake $15 million equipment deal with Gabon, marked the largest-ever FCPA case against individuals.
