U.S. prosecutors have reportedly sent News Corporation a letter requesting information for an investigation into whether the company violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, in relation to allegations that News Corp reporters bribed police officers in Britain.
Greg Farrell of Bloomberg Businessweek reports that “a person with knowledge of the matter” said News Corp received a letter requesting information on alleged payments made to Scotland Yard police officers by News Corp employees. The letter is not a subpoena, and does not require a response under the law.
The Department of Justice is investigating whether the U.S.-based News Corp violated FCPA, which prevents bribery of foreign officials, if reporters for its British News Of The World tabloid bribed members of Scotland Yard. The investigation is also examining allegations that NOTW reporters hacked into the phones of 9/11 victims.
News Corp began adding to its legal team in the U.S. in July — including an expert in FCPA, according to the WSJ, which is owned by News Corp.
News Corp’s New York Post employees were instructed by the legal department in July to “preserve and maintain” any documents that may relate to the practice of phone hacking or bribing of public officials.
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