British military contractor BAE has been in trouble in recent times over allegations that it bribed the Saudis to swing some important deals. BAE has always denied that it did anything wrong but in March it was fined $400 million in a US court after it pleaded guity to charges that it had been less than truthtful about its compliance with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. At the time, I look at the implications of that case in my blog here.
But you can't BAE's ethos of trying to influence governments. If not by bribery, then through some other way. Hence BAE's announcement that Michael Chertoff, former secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security from 2005 to 2009 is joining its board.
Chertoff's connections with the US government will be valuable. It should pay handsomely with lucrative contracts. And no bribe will be necessary.
no comment untill now