The company pleaded guilty to violating sanctions.

The French bank BNP Paribas SA has been sentenced to probation for the next five years by a United States judge during Friday because of its connection with a record breaking $8.9 billion settlement which has resolved claims that it took part in violating sanctions against Cuba, Iran and Sudan. Lorna Schofield, the United States district judge in Manhattan has formally ordered the bank from France to forfeit 8.83 billion dollars and pay a fine in value of 140 million dollars, additionally, the judge has also called upon BNP Paribas to improve its policies and compliance procedures as a part of the sentence.

A part of the money could go to all of the people that have been harmed by those three sanctioned countries by the program that the United States justice department has showcased in court. The general counsel of BNP Paribas Georges Dirani has told the judge that the bank accepts full responsibility for its actions and that it is already working on its policies with personal supervision from CEO Jean Laurent Bonnafé. This case has marked the first time in history that a global bank had pleaded guilty to the violations of United States economic sanctions, stated the Justice Department. The sentence that has been imposed by Judge Schofield has followed the terms of a negotiated plea deal. Authorities have stated that the bank BNP Paribas has acted as a central bank for the government of Sudan, while covering its tracks and not cooperating with law enforcement when first contacted. Prosecutors have also added that BNP has also been able to evade sanctions in Cuba and Iran, partially because they stripped information from wire transfers so that they could pass through the United States system without raising any red flags.

The sentencing on Friday took place in a courtroom that was crowded with people who have claimed that they have been harmed by the actions of the countries that are sanctioned, they also asked for restitution. Although Judge Schofield stated that they are not entitled to this relief by law, the prosecutor Jennifer Ambuehl stated that the Justice Department will evaluate the option of distributing the $3.84 billion which was received by the government on behalf of the people harmed in Cuba, Sudan and Iran. What the department of justice will decide is not yet clear.