The US Department of Justice charged that from 2000 to 2016 Ericsson used third party agents and consultants to pay bribes to government officials and kept false books and records in connection with business in Djibouti, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kuwait. In 2023 it stated that Ericsson breached its deferred prosecution agreement by failing to disclose evidence and allegations, including conduct relating to Iraq.
6 December 2019 to today · 7 dated events · 8 sources
Where it stands now · as of 30 October 2026
As of 30 October 2026 Ericsson's 2023 guilty plea stands, its plea agreement term and monitorship ended on 2 June 2024 according to the company, and a Justice Department investigation related to Iraq remained open according to Ericsson's report of 15 October 2026.
Overview · 6 Dec 2019 to 15 Oct 2026 · click a dot to jump
2019
6 Dec 2019
Statement
Deferred prosecution agreement and Ericsson Egypt plea announced
Criminal information and deferred prosecution agreement, United States v. Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, No. 19-CR-884. Two counts of conspiracy, to violate the FCPA anti-bribery provisions and to violate its books and records and internal controls provisions. Ericsson agreed to a criminal penalty of 520,650,432 dollars and a three year independent compliance monitor. Ericsson Egypt Ltd pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions. The SEC resolution added about 540 million dollars in disgorgement and interest, for a total above 1 billion dollars.
Justice Department announces breach and plea agreement
Breach determination and plea agreement. The Department said Ericsson failed to fully disclose facts and evidence about the Djibouti and China schemes and other potential FCPA violations and did not promptly report Iraq-related conduct. Ericsson agreed to plead guilty to the two deferred counts and pay 206,728,848 dollars, with probation through June 2024 and the monitor term extended by one year.
Ericsson pleads guilty in Manhattan federal court, as reported
Guilty plea hearing (as reported by Bloomberg and Law360). Ericsson pleaded guilty to the two conspiracy counts. Bloomberg reported that its representative admitted that, between 2000 and 2016, employees used third party agents to pay bribes to government officials, and that Ericsson will remain on probation until June 2024. Law360 reported that Ericsson was ordered to pay 206.7 million dollars.
Monitorship and plea agreement conclude, according to Ericsson
Conclusion of monitorship and plea agreement. Ericsson said the monitor certified on 28 March 2024 that its compliance programme met requirements and that the monitorship and plea agreement concluded on 2 June 2024.
Ericsson reports that the Justice Department's Iraq-related investigation is continuing
Third quarter 2026 report, Form 6-K exhibit. Ericsson said it continues to cooperate fully with the Justice Department in its investigation into matters discussed in the 2019 internal Iraq investigation report and related historical conduct, that no conclusive determinations are expected until the investigation is completed, and that its scope and duration remain uncertain.
Last updated 30 October 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.