Freeport-McMoRan Discloses FCPA Scrutiny
Freeport-McMoRan disclosed that it is investigating its Indonesian joint venture, PT Smelting, for possible violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti‑bribery laws. The probe was launched after the company voluntarily notified the SEC and DOJ and engaged outside counsel to examine the venture’s activities. PT Smelting, a partnership between Freeport Indonesia and Mitsubishi Materials, could face fines, penalties, or other remedies if non‑compliance is confirmed. Freeport cautioned that the outcome of the investigation remains uncertain.
The World’s “Most Ethical” FCPA Violators
Ethisphere’s 2026 “Most Ethical Companies” list expands to 138 honorees, up from 92 in its 2007 debut. The roster includes 16 firms that have settled Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement actions and two companies currently under FCPA scrutiny. The...
Balt Resolves $1.2 FCPA Enforcement Action
The U.S. Department of Justice resolved a $1.2 million Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement action against Balt SAS, a French medical‑device company. The DOJ determined Balt paid roughly $602,000 in bribes to a senior physician at a state‑owned French hospital, treating...
DOJ Charges Individual In Connection With Alleged PEMEX Bribery Scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Alfonso Wilson, a dual‑citizen executive, with orchestrating a $540 million bribery scheme to obtain a December 2021 equipment contract with Mexico’s state oil firm PEMEX. Wilson, CEO of Oil Technologies Consortium, allegedly funneled millions to...
A Look At The “FEPA Report”
The Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA), effective July 2024, obligates the DOJ to submit an annual report on foreign officials’ bribery demands and related enforcement actions. In a recent DOJ letter, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald Lampard outlined how the...
Smartmatic Files Motion To Dismiss For “Vindictive And Selective Prosecution”
Smartmatic has filed a motion to dismiss a superseding indictment that accuses its UK parent, SGO Corporation, of FCPA violations, money‑laundering and bribery linked to a 2025 Philippines election official. The indictment is notable as the first corporate FCPA criminal...
“The FCPA Reinforcement Act” Introduced In Senate
Democratic senators introduced the “FCPA Reinforcement Act” to lengthen the criminal statute of limitations for Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations from five to ten years. The proposal follows claims that the Trump administration narrowed FCPA enforcement, even though DOJ data...
Checking In On Dr. Reddy’s FCPA Scrutiny
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories disclosed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concluded its multi‑year Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation in February 2026 and, for now, will not recommend any enforcement action. The probe, triggered by an anonymous 2020 complaint about...
Checking In On The Rovirosa Case
In December 2025, Mexican businessman Ramon Alexandro Rovirosa Martinez was found guilty in a U.S. bribery trial that featured no fact witnesses. The defense argues the government introduced inadmissible text messages and translations without proper certification, violating the Confrontation Clause....
Checking In On Stryker
Medical‑device maker Stryker has faced multiple FCPA enforcement actions, paying $13.2 million in 2013 and $7.8 million in 2018 for alleged bribery in various countries. A new investigation disclosed in 2023 triggered SEC and DOJ inquiries, but the DOJ closed its probe...
Clayton On FCPA Enforcement
Jay Clayton, former SEC chair and U.S. attorney, reiterated his long‑standing criticism of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), arguing that aggressive U.S. enforcement can unintentionally boost corruption abroad. He cited the act’s high compliance costs as a driver for...
Checking In On FEPA
The Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA), enacted in 2023, criminalizes foreign officials who demand bribes from U.S. companies, aiming to fill a perceived gap in the FCPA’s demand‑side coverage. Thirteen members of Congress recently sent a letter to Attorney General...
FCPA Institute – Zoom (Feb. 23-25)
The FCPA Institute is returning to a virtual format on February 23‑25, offering a three‑day, nine‑hour intensive via Zoom. Led by Professor Koehler, the program covers anti‑bribery provisions, books‑and‑records rules, enforcement trends, and practical compliance tactics. Participants gain hands‑on skills...