This article talked about an ineluctable and pervasive business ethical problem which is the bribe to the officials. French engineering firm Technip S.A. was bribe into the Nigerian government officials to build a liquefied natural gas facilities on Bonny Island in Nigeria. The total revenue of this agreement is more than $6 million dollars. The huge profits impel the Technip S.A. to violate the business ethics. However, the U.S. Justice Department was through indicted it, which the count of conspiracy and the count of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, to exert pressure it. Ultimately, the U.S. Justice Department just want the Technip S.A. Firm could accepts the deferred agreement, but the Technip should pay $240 million to resolve these kind of criminal charges, and they will give up another $98 million in profits to settle civil charges. The Technip violates the principle of business ethics. It also reveals the situation of “under the table” during the trading. Business ethics is a quite complecated topic that always leading the cases into sophisticated dilemmas.
The article follow from: http://business-ethics.com/2010/06/28/1505-french-firm-to-pay-338-million-to-settle-u-s-charges/