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Alstom to pay $772m fine to settle bribery charges in US Alstom to pay $772m fine to settle bribery charges in US
(35 minutes later)
Alstom has agreed to pay $772m (£494m) in criminal penalties to settle bribery related charges with the US Department of Justice.Alstom has agreed to pay $772m (£494m) in criminal penalties to settle bribery related charges with the US Department of Justice.
The DOJ alleges the French firm bribed government officials to win business in countries such as Indonesia and Egypt. The DOJ alleges the French engineering giant bribed government officials to win business in countries such as Indonesia and Egypt.
The DOJ said the corruption scheme "was astounding in its breadth, its brazenness and its worldwide consequences". It called the scheme "astounding in its breadth, its brazenness and its worldwide consequences".
It is the largest ever US criminal fine for violations of foreign bribery laws.It is the largest ever US criminal fine for violations of foreign bribery laws.
The DOJ said Alstom paid more than $75m to secure $4bn in projects around the world. The DOJ said Alstom paid more than $75m to secure $4bn in projects around the world.
The DOJ's deputy attorney general, James Cole, said he wanted the fine to serve as a warning to other firms.The DOJ's deputy attorney general, James Cole, said he wanted the fine to serve as a warning to other firms.
"It is both my expectation and my intention that the comprehensive resolution we are announcing today will send an unmistakable message to other companies around the world that this Department of Justice will be relentless in rooting out and punishing corruption to fullest extent of the law.""It is both my expectation and my intention that the comprehensive resolution we are announcing today will send an unmistakable message to other companies around the world that this Department of Justice will be relentless in rooting out and punishing corruption to fullest extent of the law."
PressurePressure
Alstom's power turbines unit and two staff were earlier charged by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) with bribing officials.Alstom's power turbines unit and two staff were earlier charged by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) with bribing officials.
A preliminary hearing is due to take place on 5 January, the SFO said.A preliminary hearing is due to take place on 5 January, the SFO said.
The Department of Justice said the fine related to charges
The French rail and energy firm has been under pressure since the financial crisis and a consequent drop in orders for power equipment.The French rail and energy firm has been under pressure since the financial crisis and a consequent drop in orders for power equipment.
In June, the company agreed to sell most of its power business to General Electric so it could focus on its smaller rail unit. In June, the company agreed to sell most of its power business to General Electric (GE) so it could focus on its smaller rail unit.
Despite the takeover, the DOJ said Alstom, rather than GE, would have to pay the fine. When GE agreed the €12.4bn takeover deal, both sides said the US firm would take on all of its liabilities, including possible official penalties.
However, on Monday the DOJ said Alstom, rather than GE, would have to pay the fine.
The takeover deal was approved by Alstom's shareholders on Friday, and is expected to close in the middle of 2015.