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Total to Face Trial Over Claims of Graft Tied to Iran Contracts Total Oil Company to Face Trial Over Claims of Graft Tied to Iran Contracts
(about 14 hours later)
PARIS — The French oil company Total will face trial in France over claims of corruption related to Iranian contracts dating from the 1990s and early 2000s, the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.PARIS — The French oil company Total will face trial in France over claims of corruption related to Iranian contracts dating from the 1990s and early 2000s, the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.
Total agreed last year to pay $398.2 million to settle United States criminal and civil allegations that it had paid bribes to win oil and gas contracts in Iran, in what was billed as the first coordinated action by French and American law enforcement in a major foreign bribery case.Total agreed last year to pay $398.2 million to settle United States criminal and civil allegations that it had paid bribes to win oil and gas contracts in Iran, in what was billed as the first coordinated action by French and American law enforcement in a major foreign bribery case.
At the time, the Paris prosecutor recommended that the company and its chief executive, Christophe de Margerie, be brought to trial. Mr. de Margerie died last month in a plane crash, and the prosecutor’s office said it would not pursue criminal charges.At the time, the Paris prosecutor recommended that the company and its chief executive, Christophe de Margerie, be brought to trial. Mr. de Margerie died last month in a plane crash, and the prosecutor’s office said it would not pursue criminal charges.
The United States authorities said that from 1995 to 2004, Total paid about $60 million in bribes to induce an Iranian government official to help the company obtain lucrative development rights in three oil and gas fields related to the South Pars project.The United States authorities said that from 1995 to 2004, Total paid about $60 million in bribes to induce an Iranian government official to help the company obtain lucrative development rights in three oil and gas fields related to the South Pars project.
A spokeswoman for Total confirmed that the company had received notification of the trial, without elaborating. Last year, the company said that Total and Mr. de Margerie would demonstrate in any trial that their behavior had been legal.A spokeswoman for Total confirmed that the company had received notification of the trial, without elaborating. Last year, the company said that Total and Mr. de Margerie would demonstrate in any trial that their behavior had been legal.
In its annual report, Total said it did not believe that the resolution of these cases would have a significant impact on the company’s financial situation or consequences for its future operations.In its annual report, Total said it did not believe that the resolution of these cases would have a significant impact on the company’s financial situation or consequences for its future operations.
Officials said that it could be months or even a year before a trial begins.Officials said that it could be months or even a year before a trial begins.