Sun says it broke anti-bribery laws

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sun Microsystems Inc. may have broken anti-bribery laws with its actions in an unspecified location outside the United States, a revelation that would-be acquirer Oracle Corp. knew about before inking its $7.4 billion takeover deal.

It's unclear what Sun's admission Friday will mean for the company.

Sun said in a regulatory filing that it found "potential violations" of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits U.S. companies and companies whose stock is traded in the U.S. from bribing foreign government officials to drum up business.

Sun wouldn't say what happened or where it happened, only that it "took remedial action" and alerted the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, both of which are investigating.