FBI officers pose as Pru salesmen

FBI officers have posed as US insurance salesmen in a widespread undercover move to trap state officials who are suspected of bribery. They took over the role of agents for the Prudential Insurance Company of America in a subterfuge, whereby they offered 'kickbacks' to Louisiana government officials responsible for employee benefit programmes. Before they moved in, they got advice from Prudential Insurance on how group insurance contracts are formed and the marketing operations that go with them. But without telling the company their further plans, they approached at least a dozen state officials with the promise of substantial cash rewards if they got the right to run its insurance funds. One FBI agent left a cheque for $5000 with one leading state official, but it was returned before being cashed. The government officials have denied ever approaching favours from other insurance groups, but are due to appear before a grand jury investigation to check their veracity. Prudential Insurance Company executives agreed they had given the FBI advice on normal insurance procedures but stressed they had never authorised anyone to pose as Prudential salesmen or employees, or to offer bribes in any way.