USA – Rolls-Royce Says U.S. Justice Department Opens Bribery Probe
Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc (RR/), Europe’s largest maker of commercial jet engines, said the U.S. Department of Justice has joined U.K. fraud prosecutors in an investigation into bribery and corruption at the company. “The group is currently under investigation by law enforcement agencies, primarily the Serious Fraud Office in the U.K. and the U.S. Department of Justice,” the company said in its annual report. “Breaches of laws and regulations in this area can lead to fines, penalties, criminal prosecution, commercial litigation and restrictions on future business.” The SFO started a formal investigation in December and in January asked the government for an extra 19 million pounds ($26 million) to pay for “blockbuster” probes, including Rolls-Royce. The involvement of U.S. prosecutors potentially increases the range of fines Rolls-Royce faces.…