Thursday, January 21, 2010

What is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?

Earlier today, we looked at the arrest of company executives and employees attending the SHOT Show in Las Vegas for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

The what?

The Department of Justice has posted a "Lay-Person's Guide" on its website. Now would be a good time to review some of the highlights... [More]
I put out a second Gun Rights Examiner column to provide a resource for understanding what it is these folks were arrested for.

People are looking at this. No doubt we'll learn plenty more in the coming days.

6 comments:

tjbbpgobIII said...

David, this law was passed,I believe, during the reign of that other stupid president whose initials are jimmah carter. It was passed to keep American businessmen from having an opportunity to gain an equal access to foreign businessess. Bribes, or in other areas of the world - just regular, good old, business practices, were an abomination to the carter administration. As was standing by our friends and allies like the Shah of Iran (good) and the heads of certain Central American dictators (bad, bastards but our bastards). Carter made many, other decisions too which made him so beloved by commie lovers around the globe.

David Codrea said...

Yep, and strengthened by Clinton.

Anonymous said...

It should be obvious that the intent behind this sting has nothing to do with enforcing this onerous law!
The choice to pull off this sting at the Shot Show was politically motivated and intended to intimidate.
Instead of intimidating, I think it has merely pissed off a lot of people.
Stings that catch CAREER criminals have a use in law enforcement.
This sting was used against normal working class. law abiding people who would not knowingly commit a crime and I see entrapment being a large issue in this case
I am sure within the next few days and/or weeks the reaction to this boondoggle will not be fear it will be Fury!
Paul in Texas

tjbbpgobIII said...

Paul in Texas, I too believe this is entrapment but I don't think it should be used against the criminal class either. Every time something like this is used to attack crminal enterprise it will also affect ordinary citizens. If you don't believe it just look at the asset forfiture laws, intended to stop criminals and now stopping anyone with the bad luck to be caught traveling with more money than the law thinks you should be allowed to travel with.

Anonymous said...

tjbbpgobill
You know what?? I am going to have to agree with you. These incremental increases nibble away at Constitutional rights. Asset forfiture is a very good example of being deprived of property without due process. Also to require someone to spend time and money trying to reclaim property.
Guilty until proven innocent??
Paul in Texas

Anonymous said...

I've seen many domestic deals over the years that involved paying a middleman or consultant or brother in law a commission to grease some skids or other...

Due diligence folks, be damn sure of who you deal with.