Raytheon denies link to probe of rival

Raytheon Co. today denied accusations it was involved in getting the Justice Department to investigate British defense conglomerate BAE Systems PLC.

The Waltham defense contractor said any suggestions are ‘‘patently false’’ that it influenced Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, who wrote last month to Justice and the Treasury Department asking about allegations BAE had paid bribes to the Saudi Arabian government.

The Times of London today ran a story suggesting that Kerry, who has long had close ties to Raytheon, played a role in Justice’s launching the probe.

‘‘At no time did Senator Kerry’s office contact Raytheon about this, at no time did Raytheon contact our office about it, and no irresponsible spasm from the London Times changes the fact that they just got it wrong,’’ said Amy Brundage, Kerry’s press secretary.

Brundage confirmed Kerry had written to Justice and Treasury regarding the matter; he has yet to receive a response from either agency.

Last month, Justice opened an investigation into BAE, one of the world’s largest arm makers, to determine whether the company illegally sweetened a Saudi oil-for-arms deal with the British government. It allegedly funneled millions of dollars through a US bank in Washington to an account controlled by Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan.

BAE has denied accusations that it paid kickbacks to members of the Saudi royal family as part of an $86 billion Al-Yamamah contract for more than 100 planes in 1985.
(AP)