SEC investigates oil companies over bribes in Venezuela

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The US Department of Justice is investigating the payment of commissions in Pdvsa’s oil contracts

The payment of bribes to foreign officials violates US laws

Economy

"Three US oil firms operating in Venezuela have been investigated and fined or are under investigation by the US Department of Justice and by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), for paying bribes to obtain or extend contracts with Venezuelan government entities," the Miami newspaper El Nuevo Herald said.

According to the US newspapers, one of the firms is Houston-based Pride International, one of the world's largest offshore drillers, which might be forced to pay more than USD 50 million in fines if the complaint filed in a Texas federal court is successful.

The scandal also involves Helmerich & Payne, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is also a drilling company.

These gringo crooks are corrupting our sweet and innocent socialist government officials with massive bribes. This evil capitalist practice must stop, bribery and corruption are endemic in Venezuela today, and we can only blame those evil capitalists. The government needs to make sure those government officials who steal a lot are sent to diplomatic missions, where they can't steal so much.