Atlanta Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is a federal law enacted in 1977 which criminalizes bribery to foreign government officials by persons or business entities to help them obtain or retain business. The anti-bribery provisions of this Act make it illegal to use any interstate means, including the mail, to further any offer, any payment, promise of payment, or authorization of payment of funds or anything of value to a foreign official in order to influence that official, to get him or her to act or fail to act in a violation of duty, or to gain an advantage in a business activity. Corrupt payments of such kind are prohibited by this law and apply to persons in the United States, foreign issuers of securities, and foreign firms and persons.

If you are facing federal criminal charges in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), we strongly recommend that you contact an Atlanta criminal defense attorney at Conaway & Strickler, PC, as soon as possible to get the knowledgeable and skilled legal counsel you need. Our firm is experienced in handling federal criminal cases and is well-versed in Federal Court procedure and in the mechanics of a federal defense.

Foreign Official Bribery

If you are a U.S. firm doing business in foreign markets, your activities concerning foreign government officials is governed by the FCPA, which is enforced by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In order to be convicted of this federal crime, it must be proved that you had a corrupt intent in making or authorizing a payment to a foreign government official, made to induce that official to direct business towards you. The corrupt act does not have to succeed in its quest. The mere offer or promise constitutes a violation of the FCPA. A foreign official can be any officer or employee of a foreign government, anyone acting in an official capacity, or a public international organization. It is also a crime to direct payments through a third party or intermediary.

Our firm has represented clients in federal cases throughout the nation. An Atlanta criminal defense lawyer at our firm has the experience and dedication to this practice area that can make a substantial difference in how your case is presented and in its outcome.

Contact an Atlanta criminal defense attorney at the firm if you have been charged with bribery of a foreign official for business purposes today.