This looks like misbehaviour by a subsidiary of a French company, although I don't know French law and so I don't know if it was illegal there.
The reason for US involvement sounds rather thin. Instead, this seems to be a case of the application of US law, extra-territorially. Just like the way the Saudis did, no?
Why was the case not referred to France?
On what grounds has the US received a massive payment? It doesn't appear to have been injured.
The penalty looks to me like theft from whoever the victims are by a NY court.