United Airlines will pay a $2.25 million penalty, but will not face prosecution, related to a federal corruption investigation that led to the departure of former CEO Jeff Smisek last year, according to a letter from the office of the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. The investigation centered on United's quid pro quo establishment of a flight between Newark and Columbia, S.C., at the behest of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey's then-chairman David Samson. Samson pled guilty to the bribery charges and, under the terms of his plea agreement, faces a maximum prison term of two years, the office announced. His sentencing is scheduled for October. In its letter, the attorney's office said it would not prosecute United because it cooperated with the investigation, conducted its own internal investigation and improved its antibribery and anticorruption policies and training. Jamie Fox, a former United lobbyist and consultant, faces separate bribery charges.