sentences:  While it was not illegal at the time for US companies to bribe officials, it was illegal for companies to hide such bribes from their stockholders.United Brands Company also admitted that it had tried to convince the SEC that the bribes should be kept secret, on the ground that disclosure would hurt the company and its stockholders.The company's Washington law firm, Covington & Burling, asked the U.S. State Department to intervene, arguing that news of the Honduran bribe could harm U.S. relations with that country.