02/04/2010 04:22:12 PM EST
So You Want To Buy a Business: The Role of the FCPA in International Acquisitions
The recession has lessened and all that cash your Company has been hoarding for the rainy days of the Obama years is burning a whole in your CEO’s pocket. He has his powder dry and is ready to make a big bang by going on a buying spree, targeting overseas entities, to beat the competition in coming out of your industry’s downturn. The Legal Department is told to put together an acquisition squad and to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. The job assigned to you is to make sure that your acquisition does not run afoul of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and to prepare a list of FCPA based due diligence that the Law Department should focus on to perform on the Target Company. What should be on your list? In the recent article, “FCPA Due Diligence in Acquisitions,” Securities and Commodities Regulation, Vol. 43, No. 2, January 20, 2010, lawyers from Squire Sanders, thoroughly explored this topic, through a hypothetical case it was based upon a “real life scenario”. Some of their suggestions included the following suggestions.
I. Who is the Owner of the Target Company?
An initial inquiry should be made into the ownership structure of the target company. If any portion of the entity is owned or held by a government or governmental entity then such an entity is covered under the FCPA as a “foreign governmental instrumentality”. There are several factors to consider in making such a determination. Some of these factors include: percentage ownership of the target company; control exercised over the target company; and how are the employees of the target company described by their country’s government.
II. Are Agents involved in the Transaction?
Many times a “consultant” will be used in facilitating the purchase of a target company in a country outside the United States. If there is a clear and articulated business case for the Agent to be involved in the transaction, there should be due diligence on the Agent. It should include some a review of the Agent’s credentials, ownership structure and financial records going back 3 to 5 years. Lastly, it is also critical to know the reputation of the Agent in the country’s business community. If the Agent passes all these reviews, you establish a business relationship with a strong written contract.