FBI adds resources against foreign corruption; new squads formed to address problem

Law enforcement officials say the FBI is stepping up efforts to fight international corruption. It's creating new squads to search for bribery cases that stretch overseas.

The three squads will be based in the FBI's largest field offices and concentrate on a problem that the Justice Department is making a priority.

Officials say the need for additional resources stems from an expanding global economy in which corruption can easily have ripple effects in the U.S. or contribute to another country's destabilization.

The work complements the Justice Department's efforts against corruption in which rulers become rich at the expense of their citizens.

The goal is to identify violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which makes it illegal to bribe foreign officials for business.