Ashby Jones at the Wall Street Journal Law Blog also notes the rise in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement actions by the government. In the latest instance, Jones cites U.S. and British authorities’ investigation of Alcoa, the third largest producer of aluminum in the world, based in Pittsburgh, for alleged bribery in negotiating contracts in the Middle East and elsewhere. The authorities are also investigating Victor Dahdaleh, a Canadian citizen and businessman who resides in London, for alleged bribery and money laundering. The allegations center on possible bribes to officials in Bahrain. Specifically, between 2001 and 2005, a company controlled by Dahdaleh allegedly made several million dollars in payments to the bank account of an executive for Alba, a Bahrain government-owned manufacturing company.
The investigation of Alcoa and Dahdaleh began in 2008 after Alba filed suit against Alcoa and Dahdaleh in the U.S. for allegedly conspiring to overcharge Alba for the purchase of thousands of tons of alumina, which is used to make aluminum. Representatives of Alcoa and Alba have issued statements stating that they are cooperating with authorities. Alcoa and a spokesperson for Dahdaleh have also stated that they will "vigorously" defend themselves.