> I don't get how the US can go after foreign nationals not on US soil for something that was done outside the US and not an attack on the US.
Here:
(1) Several of the charged principals are US persons (individuals or corporations),
(2) All of the other principals are charged with conspiracy with the charged US persons,
(3) Several of the charged acts took place in the US or by means of US institutions,
(4) Several of the charged persons, and the various properties allegedly illegally acquired through the illegal acts and against which criminal forfeiture is sought, are within the US.
(5) Also, the main charges are not paying bribes, but receiving/profiting from the bribes (constituting fraud against various organizations, money laundering to conceal the proceeds, etc.)
Here:
(1) Several of the charged principals are US persons (individuals or corporations),
(2) All of the other principals are charged with conspiracy with the charged US persons,
(3) Several of the charged acts took place in the US or by means of US institutions,
(4) Several of the charged persons, and the various properties allegedly illegally acquired through the illegal acts and against which criminal forfeiture is sought, are within the US.
(5) Also, the main charges are not paying bribes, but receiving/profiting from the bribes (constituting fraud against various organizations, money laundering to conceal the proceeds, etc.)