bribe news stories on Newser

Strauss-Kahn Pals Offered to Pay Off Accuser's Kin

Kevin Spak — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:18:05 CDT

Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s friends are reportedly hoping enough money can convince the maid he allegedly raped to drop the case—but because she’s in protective custody, they’ve instead made the pitch to her extended family, who live in an impoverished West African village, a French businesswoman close to Strauss-Kahn tells the...

Florida Law Firm Bribed Workers to Forge Foreclosures

Kevin Spak — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:42:00 CDT

Employees at Florida’s largest “foreclosure mill” routinely altered and forged documents to speed up the foreclosure process—and were rewarded with jewelry, cars, and other lavish gifts as a result, witnesses tell Florida’s Attorney General. Three former employees of the law offices of David J. Stern have made sworn statements...

Looks Like Bribery's Legal

Rob Quinn — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:20:07 CDT

An Illinois jury's failure to convict Rod Blagojevich on bribery-related charges despite damning evidence starts to make sense when you look at America's shambolic campaign finance system, argues Scott Turow. The huge number of loopholes, together with the Supreme Court's decision to lift restrictions on corporate campaign donations, has turned...

Japan Bribes Reps on Whaling Commission

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:28:22 CDT

Japan is marching toward a repeal of the 24-year-old ban on commercial whaling, momentum it's built largely by greasing the palms of the International Whaling Commission, reports the Times of London in an exclusive investigation. Japan denies impropriety, but the Times says it's got video of officials admitting Japan pays...

I Was Drinking Before Bribe Bid: Fergie

M. Morris — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:05:00 CDT

Sarah Ferguson had been drinking before she discussed selling access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew , with an undercover tabloid reporter, the Duchess of York tells Oprah in an interview scheduled to air tomorrow. And she says she hasn't watched the now-ubiquitous video, People reports . "I haven't faced the devil in...

Pauper Fergie: 'I Haven't a Pot to Piss In'

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 25 May 2010 06:53:00 CDT

When Sarah Ferguson got caught trying to sell access to ex-hubby Prince Andrew, it was only because she’s apparently broke. In a follow-up piece, News of the World charts Fergie’s path to destitution: Her divorce settlement is just $21,000 a year: “That's why the Queen is my friend. I...

Fergie 'So Sorry' for Selling Access to Prince

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 24 May 2010 02:26:16 CDT

Mortified Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson is so "very sorry" after being caught accepting money in exchange for promised access to ex-husband Prince Andrew. "I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," she said in a statement. "My financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse...

Fergie Busted Selling Access to Prince Andrew

M. Morris — Sun, 23 May 2010 12:03:28 CDT

Sarah Ferguson is scrambling to apologize after an undercover tabloid reporter filmed her offering to sell access to Prince Andrew for $723,000. "Look after me and he'll look after you," she told a News of the World staffer pretending to be a business exec. "I can open any door...

Blackwater OK'd $1M Bribe Fund After '07 Iraq Shooting

Will McCahill — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:39:52 CST

Security firm Blackwater set aside $1 million for secret payments to critical Iraqi officials after the 2007 Baghdad shootout that left 17 civilians dead. With Blackwater fearing it could lose its lucrative operating license in the country, former executives tell the New York Times , then-president Gary Jackson authorized the bribe...