An FBI agent posed as a representative of an Africa nation. An S&W executive (and others) attempted to bribe the government official!

WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) – An executive of Smith & Wesson (SWHC.O) and 21 others have been charged with violating U.S. bribery laws after an undercover sting in which federal agents posed as arms-buying representatives of an African defense minister.

The defendants, including a senior Smith & Wesson sales official Amaro Goncalves, were accused of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and conspiracy to commit money laundering tied to the sale of guns, body armor and other law enforcement equipment.

[ Many thanks to Jeffrey for emailing me the link. ]

UPDATE: S&W make a statement …

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan 19, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Smith & Wesson(R) Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., today made the following statement in response to Justice Department enforcement actions that were announced today regarding one of its employees.

Through media reports today, we became aware of the Justice Department enforcement actions which were taken yesterday and which made reference to an employee of our company. We have no information beyond what has been reported and are prepared to cooperate fully with law enforcement in their investigation into this matter.