Airbus says it misled U.S. on arms sales

The aircraft manufacturer Airbus said Tuesday that it may have violated U.S. rules on arms exports, potentially expanding a corruption investigation that has already shaken the company in Europe.

Airbus, Boeing’s main rival in the passenger jet business, said that it had provided false information to the State Department about its compliance with rules on arms sales overseas. Airbus provided few details except to say that the inaccuracies related to U.S. regulations on fees and commissions paid to sales agents.

The disclosure raised the prospect that corruption investigations involving the company in Europe, to do with the use of middlemen to pay bribes, could spread to the United States, which typically imposes much higher fines and stiffer court judgments. In an industry that relies heavily on ties with government, Airbus could also be at a disadvantage competing for contracts, or even be frozen out altogether.

Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, is under investigation by British and French authorities for possible use of intermediaries to pay bribes related to the sale of commercial aircraft.

In addition, German and Austrian authorities are investigating bribery allegations tied to the sale of Eurofighter jets to Austria in 2003. Airbus also has a unit in Columbus, Miss., that makes helicopters for civilian and military buyers.

The false information sent to the State Department was related to defense products or services, but the company did not say which kind. A company spokesman declined to comment Tuesday.