UK agency moves to prosecute BAE Systems for alleged illegal payments on contracts

UK prosecutor move on BAE Systems over payments

LONDON — Britain’s Serious Fraud Office says it intends to prosecute BAE Systems PLC, the world’s second-largest defense contractor, on charges of corruption in dealings on foreign contracts.

The prosecutor said Thursday that it will seek permission from Attorney General Patricia Scotland to pursue the case.

The cases reportedly involve alleged secret commissions on a military radar sale to Tanzania; alleged bribes behind a Czech deal to lease Anglo-Swedish Gripen warplanes; commissions allegedly paid on a sale of two frigates to Romania; and 100 million pounds ($160 million) in allegedly secret commissions in a weapons deal with South Africa.