Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits U.S. citizens and companies from bribing foreign governments to benefit their businesses.

The FCPA was passed in 1977 to address widespread foreign bribery by multinationals that were discovered in the wake of the Watergate scandal. It was the first law of its kind in the world, and prohibits U.S. companies, individuals, and foreign entities with a U.S. connection from bribing foreign public officials.