BAE Systems plc (BAES) pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia to conspiring to defraud the United States by impairing and impeding its lawful functions, to make false statements about its Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance program, and to violate the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations. BAES was sentenced to pay a $400 million criminal fine, one of the largest criminal fines in the history of ongoing efforts to combat overseas corruption in international business and enforce U.S. export control laws.
BAES admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, it knowingly and willfully failed to identify commissions paid to third parties for assistance in soliciting, promoting or otherwise securing sales of defense items.
The criminal case was investigated by the special agents of the FBI and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Counter Proliferation Unit. Investigative assistance also was provided by the Defense Criminal Investigative Services and the General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General.
