Live data from Hacker News

Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

ft.com

41–50 of 251 posts

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#41
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Don't spend your money bribing foreign governments, keep that money for lobbying in your own country. Lobbying of course is not bribery."

Because it’s not. You know that lobbyists can’t pay politicians, right? The meme that “lobbying == bribery” needs to die.

Exorbitant "speaking fees" are a questionable practice in the US. The same goes for "book deals" which are too rosy to be later borne out by sales.

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#42
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except it's illegal to pay bribes (for now, anyway) for US companies (to foreigners): https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

Yet it's 100% legal to pay bribes to US government officials (aka lobbying and campaign contributions).

It's not entirely for lack of trying on behalf of prosecutors. The courts have narrowed the definition of bribery.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c6c23d55-f451...

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#43
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet it's 100% legal to pay bribes to US government officials (aka lobbying and campaign contributions).

It's not entirely for lack of trying on behalf of prosecutors. The courts have narrowed the definition of bribery. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c6c23d55-f451...

So if I'm a Senator/Congressman and Comcast came to me promising $500k for my re-election campaign if only I could help them slow down Google Fiber rollout in some town, is it illegal for me to agree? I mean, this is a bribe, isn't it?

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#44
post #22

Every company doles out bribes. In many countries bribery is the way to go. Things don’t happen without it. They just find creative ways to make it legal that’s all.

Except it's illegal to pay bribes (for now, anyway) for US companies (to foreigners): https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

You are asked for a bribe to get your goods to market in a country. That's illegal for a US company. You hire a local company to expedite the process using their customs experience at 2x the bribe -- poof legal.

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#45
post #22

Every company doles out bribes. In many countries bribery is the way to go. Things don’t happen without it. They just find creative ways to make it legal that’s all.

“Every company” is obviously hyperbole. My local deli doesn’t bribe anybody. What do you really mean - every $1bn+ revenue aerospace firm?

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#46
post #22

Every company doles out bribes. In many countries bribery is the way to go. Things don’t happen without it. They just find creative ways to make it legal that’s all.

Except it's illegal to pay bribes (for now, anyway) for US companies (to foreigners): https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

For now, yes. Recent statement from the president: “It’s just so unfair that American companies aren’t allowed to pay bribes to get business overseas. We’re going to change that.”

Source: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/01/donald-trump-bribery...

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#47
post #22

Every company doles out bribes. In many countries bribery is the way to go. Things don’t happen without it. They just find creative ways to make it legal that’s all.

Except it's illegal to pay bribes (for now, anyway) for US companies (to foreigners): https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

It's actually legal to pay someone a bride under FCPA, but only if they are already legally bound to carry out the task you are bribing them to do. The purpose of the bribe in this case is to "expedite" the service.

https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2014/06/17/the-fcpas-fa...

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#48
post #22

Every company doles out bribes. In many countries bribery is the way to go. Things don’t happen without it. They just find creative ways to make it legal that’s all.

Except it's illegal to pay bribes (for now, anyway) for US companies (to foreigners): https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

I am not advocating for companies to pay bribes. It needs to be a crime and the rest of the world must set a standard.

Re: Airbus ran ‘massive’ bribery scheme to win orders

#50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except it's illegal to pay bribes (for now, anyway) for US companies (to foreigners): https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

It's actually legal to pay someone a bride under FCPA, but only if they are already legally bound to carry out the task you are bribing them to do. The purpose of the bribe in this case is to "expedite" the service. https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2014/06/17/the-fcpas-fa...

Good news for US businesses doing business in India.
Post reply on HN