Cheney, Haliburton May Settle Nigerian Charges for $250 million

This month, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Dick Cheney, who ran Halliburton in the 1990’s with conspiracy and distribution of bribes to public officials. The bribes were allegedly paud to secure $6 billion in contracts for a liquefied natural gas project in the Niger Delta. Discussions on settlement are now ensuing which might allow the company and former officials–including Cheney–to pay $250 million to have all charges dropped. The firm pleaded guilty to foreign bribery charges in the U.S. last year and paid $402 million in criminal fines. The proposed agreement awaits the approval of Nigeria’s Minister of Justice. A decision is expected next week.