JBS S.A. and J&F Investimentos S.A.
In June 2017 J&F signed a leniency agreement with Brazil's Federal Prosecution Service providing for BRL 10.3 billion over 25 yearsS3. On 14 October 2020 J&F pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to violate the FCPA and agreed to a penalty of about US$256.5 millionS1. The same day JBS, J&F and two controlling executives consented to an SEC order on Pilgrim's Pride books and records violationsS2. In December 2023 Justice Dias Toffoli suspended the Brazilian fineS4. Prosecutors appealed in February 2024S5. In October 2024 an MPF council annulled a discount on the fineS6. JBS listed in New York in June 2025S7S8.
- Also known as
- JBS, JBS N.V., J&F Investimentos, J&F
- Headquarters
- Brazil
- Records from
- Brazil, United States
- Current status
- Operating meat processor controlled by the holding company J&F Investimentos. JBS planned to list JBS N.V. Class A shares on the NYSE with BDRs on the B3S7, and the shares began trading in New York on 13 June 2025S8. J&F's 2017 leniency fine was suspended by a Brazilian Supreme Court justice in December 2023S4. No later Supreme Court ruling was found as of October 2026.
Scope. This record covers bribery-related resolutions of J&F and JBS in Brazil and the United States. It does not cover Pilgrim's Pride antitrust cases, deforestation allegations or the 2017 Carne Fraca food safety inquiry.
Claims assessed
3 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.- Supported90The US Justice Department said on 14 October 2020 that J&F Investimentos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the FCPA and agreed to pay a criminal penalty of more than US$256 million over bribes to Brazilian officials.Regulator statement, 14 October 20204 records citedBribery
- Unresolved54Money Times reported in June 2017 that J&F agreed in its leniency agreement with Brazil's Federal Prosecution Service to pay BRL 10.3 billion over 25 years, and this remains the amount J&F must pay.Press report, 6 June 20174 records citedBribery
- Opinion55AP reported in June 2025 that opponents of JBS's New York listing cited its record of corruption, monopolistic behavior and environmental destruction.Press report, 13 June 20253 records citedBribery
Cases and proceedings
- United States v. J&F Investimentos S.A.US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Guilty plea to a one-count information in the Eastern District of New York. No sentencing record was foundS9.
- Plea and agreed penalty of US$256,497,026S1
- In the Matter of J&F Investimentos S.A., JBS S.A., Joesley Batista and Wesley BatistaUS Securities and Exchange Commission. Regulatory. Administrative Proceeding File No. 3-20124, as listed by the Stanford FCPA Clearinghouse.Stage: Cease-and-desist order entered on consent.
- Order finding the respondents caused Pilgrim's Pride's books and records and internal controls violations, with about US$27 million disgorgement by JBS and civil penalties of US$550,000 each for Joesley Batista and Wesley BatistaS2
- J&F Investimentos S.A. request concerning its leniency agreement with the Federal Prosecution ServiceSupreme Federal Court of Brazil. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Fine suspended by individual decision in December 2023, PGR appeal pending as last reported.
Responses on record
- J&F Investimentos S.A., 20 December 2023, on Money Times reported in June 2017 that J&F agreed in its leniency agreement with Brazil's ...
J&F did not comment on the suspension, citing judicial secrecy, according to Reuters.S4
Revision history
- Profile and 3 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.
Source records
- S1Tier A J&F Investimentos S.A. Pleads Guilty and Agrees to Pay Over $256 Million to Resolve Criminal Foreign Bribery CaseUS Department of Justice. Regulator press release. 14 October 2020.Supports the plea, the count, the penalty and the credit for Brazilian payments. It does not name individual officials.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S9Tier D In the Matter of J&F Investimentos, S.A., et al.Stanford Law School FCPA Clearinghouse. Academic paper. Database updated through 30 July 2025.Academic database entry listing SEC docket number 3-20124 and the Eastern District of New York information. It gives no sentencing date.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S2Tier A SEC Charges Brazilian Meat Producers With FCPA ViolationsUS Securities and Exchange Commission. Regulator press release. 14 October 2020.Supports the consent order against JBS, J&F and the Batista brothers. The release contains no admit or deny language.
- S4Tier C Toffoli suspende multa de R$10,3 bi do acordo de leniência da J&FReuters (via Notícias Agrícolas). Press report. 20 December 2023.Reuters report by Ricardo Brito on the suspension. The decision itself is not public.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S5Tier C PGR recorre de decisão de Toffoli que suspendeu multa à J&F em acordo de leniênciaReuters (via Notícias Agrícolas). Press report. 6 February 2024.Reuters report by Ricardo Brito on the PGR appeal. It does not say what the appeal requests.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S7Tier B U.S. Listing UpdateJBS S.A. (Form 6-K exhibit). Company filing. May 2025.Company timetable for the NYSE listing, which gave 12 June 2025 as the expected first trading day. Its dates were tentative when published.
- S8Tier C Shares of meatpacking giant JBS fall in debut on the NYSEAssociated Press (via Click2Houston). Press report. 13 June 2025.Report by Dee-Ann Durbin confirming the debut and critics' objections. It does not discuss the US plea.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S3Tier C MPF e J&F assinam acordo de leniência para pagamento de R$ 10 bilhõesMoney Times. Press report. 6 June 2017.Report by Gustavo Kahil citing Agência Brasil on the leniency terms. It does not report what J&F admitted.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S6Tier C Conselho do MPF anula desconto bilionário no acordo da J&FCartaCapital. Press report. 11 October 2024.Report credited to the CartaCapital newsroom, citing O Globo, on the unanimous annulment of a BRL 6.8 billion discount. It does not address the Supreme Court case.Link working, checked 25 October 2026