Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a legal alert to businesses operating in the state, reiterating that bribing foreign-government officials remains illegal. This reminder comes despite an order from the Trump Administration that temporarily suspends federal enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Bonta emphasizes that violations of the FCPA remain enforceable under California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL), insisting that businesses adhere to ethical practices.

“Illegal activity is still illegal. Paying bribes to foreign officials is not only unethical, it’s also bad for business. Bribery erodes consumer confidence in the market and rewards corruption instead of competition. As the fifth largest economy in the world, California has a vested interest in defending honest business,” stated Attorney General Bonta. “Despite the Trump Administration’s actions, I remind businesses in California that bribing foreign officials is illegal under California law and will not be tolerated.”

The FCPA inhibits U.S. businesses and citizens from providing anything of value to a foreign-government official or party in exchange for business advantages. Attorney General Bonta’s alert emphasizes that compliance with the FCPA is required, regardless of any federal government directives. Meanwhile, violations remain actionable under California’s UCL, which seeks to maintain fair business practices and protect consumers.

President Trump, on February 10, 2025, issued an executive order suspending FCPA enforcement for a period of at least 180 days, while directing updates to be made on guidelines governing the FCPA within the year. Despite this federal directive, Bonta urges businesses and individuals to maintain compliance with all relevant laws, including the FCPA.

The complete legal alert is available online for businesses to review.