Largest bribes in history
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Largest bribes in history refers to significant instances of bribery where substantial sums of money or valuables were exchanged to influence decisions, often with far-reaching political, economic, or social consequences. Bribery, defined as an illegal act involving the exchange of something of value to corruptly sway the behavior of individuals, typically public officials, has persisted across civilizations.[1] From ancient political maneuvers in Ancient Rome to modern corporate scandals, these cases highlight the scale and impact of corruption. This article details some of the most notable examples, selected for their financial magnitude or historical significance.
Historical context
[edit]Bribery has been a feature of governance and commerce throughout history. In ancient societies, such as Ancient Rome, it was often a tool to secure power or favor, as exemplified by the actions of Didius Julianus during the Year of the Five Emperors.[2] In the modern era, the rise of multinational corporations has shifted bribery into the corporate sphere, prompting laws like the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) to address such practices.[3] These examples span both historical and contemporary contexts, illustrating bribery’s enduring presence.
Notable examples
[edit]Didius Julianus and the Roman throne (193 AD)
[edit]In 193 AD, following the assassination of Emperor Pertinax, the Praetorian Guard auctioned the Roman throne in an unprecedented act of corruption during the Year of the Five Emperors.[4] Didius Julianus, a wealthy senator, offered 25,000 sesterces per soldier—totaling around 200 million sesterces (or 50 million denarii)—to approximately 8,000 guardsmen, securing his position as emperor.[5] This amount dwarfed the annual salary of a Praetorian (6,000–8,000 sesterces). Unable to fully deliver, Julianus ruled for just 66 days before his deposition and execution, succeeded by Septimius Severus.[6]
Siemens AG bribery scandal (2001–2007)
[edit]Between 2001 and 2007, Siemens AG, a German engineering giant, paid approximately $1.4 billion in bribes to win government contracts worldwide.[3] Examples include $40 million to Argentina’s president for an identity card project, $20 million for Israeli power plants, and $14 million for Chinese medical equipment deals.[3] The telecommunications unit alone disbursed $800 million, with notable payments to Nigerian and Bangladeshi officials.[3] In 2008, Siemens pleaded guilty to violating the FCPA, incurring $800 million in fines from U.S. and German authorities.[7] The scandal prompted major compliance reforms within the company.
Kellogg Brown & Root Nigeria bribes (1995–2004)
[edit]Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), a former Halliburton subsidiary, paid $180 million in bribes to Nigerian officials from 1995 to 2004 to secure $6 billion in contracts for a natural gas plant on Bonny Island.[8] In 2008, KBR and its ex-CEO, Albert Jack Stanley, admitted to FCPA violations, resulting in $402 million in criminal fines and $177 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).[9] The case exposed systemic corruption in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Airbus bribery scheme (2000–2015)
[edit]Airbus, a leading aerospace firm, settled bribery charges in 2020 by paying $4 billion in fines to the U.S., UK, and France for illicit payments made over 15 years.[10] The company used intermediaries to disguise bribes as commissions, securing aircraft sales globally.[11] The settlement, among the largest of its kind, mandated compliance improvements and ongoing cooperation with investigators.
BAE Systems Saudi arms deal (1985–2007)
[edit]BAE Systems, a British defense contractor, paid over £1 billion in bribes to Saudi officials as part of the Al-Yamamah arms deal, a £43 billion contract for Eurofighter Typhoon jets and other equipment.[12] In 2010, BAE pleaded guilty to falsifying statements, paying $400 million to the U.S. Department of Justice and £30 million to the UK’s Serious Fraud Office.[13] The scandal raised questions about oversight in international arms trading.
Impact and legacy
[edit]The largest bribes have left lasting marks on societies. The Didius Julianus bribe triggered civil war and underscored Roman imperial decay.[4] Modern cases, such as Siemens and Airbus, have spurred billions in fines and bolstered anti-corruption laws like the FCPA and OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.[3][14] These incidents highlight bribery’s role in destabilizing governance and markets, driving reforms while exposing enforcement challenges.
See also
[edit]- Bribery
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Political corruption
- Corporate crime
- Year of the Five Emperors
References
[edit]- ^ "Bribery". Investopedia. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Hill, Lisa (24 May 2024). "Political Corruption in Athens and Rome". JSTOR Daily. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "A history of corporate bribery scandals". World Finance. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Didius Julianus: The Emperor Bought and Sold". Roman Emperors. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "How much did Didius Julianus pay to become emperor of Rome?". History Stack Exchange. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Didius Julianus". Wikipedia. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Siemens to Pay $1.6 Billion in Bribery Case". The New York Times. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "The Biggest Bribery Cases In Business History". Investopedia. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Kellogg Brown & Root LLC Pleads Guilty to Foreign Bribery Charges". U.S. Department of Justice. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Airbus Agrees to Pay over $3.9 Billion in Global Penalties". U.S. Department of Justice. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Top 10 Bribery & Corruption Stories of 2020". CRI Group. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "BAE admits guilt over corrupt arms deals". The Guardian. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "BAE fined $400m for Saudi arms deal corruption". BBC News. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "As US-style corporate leniency deals for bribery and corruption go global, repeat offenders are on the rise". ICIJ. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Corruption at Wikimedia Commons- Transparency International: What is Corruption?
