Ex-Siemens execs face US criminal bribe charges

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Eight former executives and  agents of Siemens AG have been indicted over a scheme to pay  $100 million in bribes to Argentine officials to win a $1  billion contract, the U.S. Justice Department said yesterday.
The criminal charges are in addition to civil securities  charges filed against several of the individuals. In December  2008, Siemens and its unit in Argentina pleaded guilty over  criminal violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.