Pemex sues Siemens, SK Engineering for $1.5 billion over bribery claims
Illinois University and expert on the foreign bribery law.
"An FCPA enforcement action in many cases now is not the end of the day but in many respects, the opening of a whole new day in terms of potential civil causes of action," he said.
COST OVERRUNS
In its lawsuit, Pemex said its investigation showed that the Conproca joint venture partners bribed Pemex officials in connection with its refinery modernization project in the Cadereyta region of Mexico, which it sought bids for in 1996.
Pemex contends that bribes caused cost overruns that were a "significant component" of an arbitration with Conproca, according to the court papers.
Conproca, which has been seeking to recover $530 million in the arbitration with Pemex, filed a lawsuit, also in New York federal court, in December 2011 seeking to confirm an award on liability.
In the arbitration, Conproca asserted claims for payment for work done beyond the scope of the contract and for costs arising out of delays and disruptions caused by Pemex. The lawsuit remains pending.
Pemex said in its lawsuit that a criminal investigation in Mexico "has been substantiated, and is moving forward to uncover the full extent of the corruption."
The case is Petroleos Mexicanos v. Conproca, S.A. De C.V., U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 12-9070.
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