The state attorney general’s office on Nov. 10 issued a legal alert reminding businesses that paying bribes or prohibited gratuities to federal officials remains illegal under California law.
The alert cites federal statutes including U.S. Code § 201(b) and § 201(c) and general anti‑fraud provisions such as 18 U.S.C. § 1341 as laws that can be implicated, the attorney general’s office said. The alert also says violations can be pursued as unlawful business practices under California’s Unfair Competition Law.
Attorney General is quoted saying, “Despite the tone from the top of the Trump Administration, corruption remains illegal. Today, I'm reminding businesses in California that bribing federal officials is illegal under California law.” The office added, “Corruption is corrosive to democracy,” and said it will not tolerate it.
The alert urges businesses and their agents to maintain rigorous internal controls and to avoid offering or paying anything of value in exchange for official acts. It also notes that the statute of limitations for prosecutions extends beyond the current federal administration, the attorney general's office said.
The alert sets out the office's enforcement posture and legal interpretation; it does not announce a specific new case or rulemaking.
State
Rob Bonta
Attorney General · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
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