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FBI names Britons on bribe charge FBI names Britons on bribe charge
(about 5 hours later)
Three out of five British executives charged with conspiring to bribe an African country over a £9m arms sale have been named by the FBI. The FBI has named three UK executives charged with conspiring to bribe an African country over a £9m arms sale.
Pankesh Patel, 43, David Painter, 56, Lee Wares, 43, and the other unnamed Britons all work for security-related firms, the US crime agency said. The US agency said Pankesh Patel, 43, David Painter, 56, and Lee Wares, 43, all worked for security-related firms.
The US has charged a total of 22 executives or employees of various firms following the sting operation. The US has charged 22 executives or employees of various firms following a sting operation, but it is unclear whether they include two more Britons.
City of London Police were involved and searched seven premises in England. City of London Police were involved in the covert investigation and searched seven premises in England.
Some 150 FBI agents took part in the operation, which led to the arrest of 21 suspects in Las Vegas and one in Miami. The inquiry involves firms trading in arms and law enforcement equipment.Some 150 FBI agents took part in the operation, which led to the arrest of 21 suspects in Las Vegas and one in Miami. The inquiry involves firms trading in arms and law enforcement equipment.
Bribes banBribes ban
The FBI said Mr Painter and Mr Wares were the chairman and director of a UK company that markets armoured vehicles.The FBI said Mr Painter and Mr Wares were the chairman and director of a UK company that markets armoured vehicles.
The agency described Mr Patel as the managing director of a UK firm that acts as a sales agent for companies in the law enforcement and military products industries.The agency described Mr Patel as the managing director of a UK firm that acts as a sales agent for companies in the law enforcement and military products industries.
US justice officials said the charges represented the largest single investigation and prosecution carried out so far under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.US justice officials said the charges represented the largest single investigation and prosecution carried out so far under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The law bars US citizens and companies, as well as foreign people and companies acting in the US, from bribing foreign government officials in order to get or keep business.The law bars US citizens and companies, as well as foreign people and companies acting in the US, from bribing foreign government officials in order to get or keep business.
According to court documents, the accused allegedly engaged in a scheme to pay bribes to the minister of defence for an African country in order to win a portion of a £9m ($15m) deal to outfit its presidential guard.According to court documents, the accused allegedly engaged in a scheme to pay bribes to the minister of defence for an African country in order to win a portion of a £9m ($15m) deal to outfit its presidential guard.
But the scheme was part of an undercover operation by the FBI and no minister of defence was actually involved. But the scheme was part of an FBI undercover operation and no minister of defence was actually involved.
City of London Police Det Ch Supt Stephen Head said: "Combating overseas corruption is an important part of the UK's fight against economic crime."City of London Police Det Ch Supt Stephen Head said: "Combating overseas corruption is an important part of the UK's fight against economic crime."