HR-4696 : Still Just a Bill

The "Foreign Extortion Prevention Act," also known as H.R. 4696, amends Title 18 of the United States Code to specifically target foreign officials who demand bribes.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Defining "foreign official": Expands the definition of "foreign official" to include officials/employees of foreign governments, senior foreign political figures, officials/employees of public international organizations, and individuals acting in official or unofficial capacities on behalf of these entities.
• Prohibiting demand for bribes: Makes it illegal for a foreign official to corruptly demand, seek, receive, or accept anything of value, directly or indirectly, from a person within the U.S., an issuer of securities, or a domestic concern, in return for influencing an official act, inducing a violation of duty, or conferring an improper advantage to obtain or retain business.
• Establishing penalties: Sets penalties for violations, including fines up to $250,000 or three times the value of the bribe, imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.
• Ensuring jurisdiction: Establishes extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over offenses committed under this section.
• Mandating reports: Requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, and make them publicly available. These reports should focus on demands by foreign officials for bribes from entities domiciled or incorporated in the U.S., diplomatic efforts to protect U.S. entities from foreign bribery, actions taken under this section, its effectiveness, and resource needs.
• Clarifying scope: States that the subsection shall not be construed as encompassing conduct that would violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

In essence, this bill aims to combat foreign corruption by criminalizing the demand side of bribery, holding foreign officials accountable for soliciting bribes from U.S. individuals and companies.