ALO Alstom

PARIS--Alstom SA's (ALO.FR) Chief Executive Patrick Kron said Friday that he expects talks with the U.S. Department of Justice will reach a settlement "very soon."

The French company said Wednesday that it is in talks with the DOJ, confirming media reports earlier this week.

Sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday that Alstom are close to a deal with U.S. prosecutors to pay $700 million in a bribery allegations case. Alstom's CEO didn't confirm the amount of the possible settlement, but did say the figure wouldn't be significant.

Mr. Kron said that any fine resulting from the talks with the DOJ will be attributed to Alstom and not U.S.-based General Electric (GE), which is in the process of buying the bulk of the French company.

-Write to Inti Landauro at inti.landauro@wsj.com

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