Bribery is now in style!

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Well... they just caught Ralph Lauren doing it. So it MUST be de riguer now.

Well not HIM-but his corporate minions in Argentina. But he has to pay the 1.6 million dollars in fines, and in 'damages' for it.

$593,000 in bribes paid to customs officials over 4 years....which is why it was so expensive.

Was bribery ever not in style?

Well, at least among corrupt political circles.

Seems to be their bread and butter.

Bribery is not only legal in the USA, it's considered free speech.

Explain the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which has been used to impose fines and external monitoring on many US companies, including the instant case.

Explain why US politicans and donors regularly go to jail for improper campaign contributions.

These days, that is chump change.

ruveyn

Any measures of this sort are often successfully challenged as attacks on free speech. Most political bribery is legalised completely. As long as Money equals Free Speech, that the plutocracy has the right to buy themselves politicians, then bribery is legal.

That explains why numerous companies have paid (collectively) billions under the FCPA, and why a number of Federal and State politicans have gone to jail in the last few years alone.

And I'd also recommend you actually sit down and read Citizen's United. While I personally have issues with parts of the decision, it does'nt legalize bribery.

I think the argument isn't that money is speech per se, but that a donation is speech.

I'm not too sure about that..

Just has to pay a fine. What were the chances Ralph would have served time with his back to the shower wall?

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

They self-disclosed. That makes a difference under FCPA.

Bribery is as old as civilization. It probably goes back more than 10,000 years.

If there is another way of dealing with Customs, they should mention it.

The usual is the importer pays, or you have a mutual friend, and avoid direct payments.

Walmart bribed Mexico, where even locals have to pay a bribe to get a phone, electric, and the water hardly works even after you pay.

Passing laws against human nature seems like a moneymaker.

Japan and China bribe the top level of government, then have no problem with the lower ranks. Proper political donations replace direct payments on the docks.

The Bribe Collection Laws, where top government gets it all.

He should have given each Member of Congress $1,000.

Then you get worldwide pressure to get your goods into markets.

Bribing the wrong people tax.

Never mind the rank amateurs, here's the real corruption.

What is wrong with PAC s ?

They are operating well within their constitutional rights.

ruveyn