Foreign Bribe Taking Targeted in US Defense Authorization Bill (Correct)

Federal prosecutors would have new authority to charge overseas officials for demanding or receiving bribes from US companies under defense legislation that cleared Congress Thursday.

A provision buried inside the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670), which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature, makes it a crime for foreign officials to seek or accept bribes that advance US business interests.

International leaders will now face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, a potentially critical deterrent against extorting American executives.

Although the Justice Department currently uses money laundering and other statutes to occasionally prosecute officials abroad for taking bribes, ...