Baksheesh or Bribe: Payments to Government Officials and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Globalization of the economy is accelerating, international competition is increasing, and U.S. businesses, and not just “big business,” are venturing into foreign markets; and consequently are encountering often vary challenging multi-cultural business environments. One aspect of “going global” is the presence of complex anti-corruption laws that create potentially very serious legal risks, and thus warrant the keen consideration by the international business executive, manager, or entrepreneur. This article primarily addresses one major anti-corruption statute – the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act – and also examines other foreign anti-corruption laws as well as international agreements.