Daimler AG Settles Case Alleging Massive Bribery Scheme
Ever wonder why foreign dictators are so often depicted in black Mercedes Benz sedans? The answer might lie buried in court documents filed by the U.S. Justice Department today. The result of several years of criminal investigation, this case charges Daimler A.G. and three of its subsidiaries with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits bribing officials of other countries. Among the 22 countries involved are Russia, Iraq, Latvia, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Ivory Coast. It is not hard to imagine a veritable rogues' gallery of officials from these and other governments on the receiving end of the fleet. If Daimler's payment of the $185 million settlement reported by the Associated Press succeeds in shutting down the alleged operation, Hollywood might have to find another icon of international intrigue. Or, maybe this is just part of a creative new ad campaign.
