California Attorney General Rob Bonta said federal bribery laws remain relevant to businesses regardless of Washington’s enforcement priorities, warning that violations can also trigger state legal action.
In an alert issued Nov. 10, Bonta called on companies to keep compliance checks in place and prevent their operations or agents from offering benefits to federal officials in return for an official act. “Corruption remains illegal,” Bonta said.
The alert says federal law bars bribery aimed at influencing an official act, whether the payment goes to a public official or another person or organization. It describes a separate ban on giving money or other benefits to an elected official on account of an official act, whether completed or expected.
Bonta said violations of anti-corruption laws may support action under California’s Unfair Competition Law. He also said paying an illegal gratuity remains unlawful and that prosecution deadlines extend beyond the current administration.
The alert also says the conduct may implicate fraud and honest-services statutes, alongside other state and federal laws that could provide a basis for a California Unfair Competition Law case.
