U.S. Finds Evidence of Bribery in Wal-Mart Operation in Brazil

Department of Justice has launched investigation to potential bribery conducted by Wal-Mart's operation in Brazil. Recent investigation has found some evidences.

According to Wall Street Journal, Federal prosecutors are examining $500,000 in payments that they believe ultimately went to an individual hired to obtain government permits. The payment was made between 2009 and 2012 as the company needed the permit for its two stores in the capital of Brazil. In respond to the investigation, Wal-Mart through its spokesman Greg Hitt said, "As we've said from the beginning, we are cooperating fully with the government in this matter and can't comment further on that process," and he added, "For Wal-Mart, compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anticorruption laws is a key priority."

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) is an United States Federal law that prohibit American companies and their employees to engage in foreign corrupt practices. The Act is also applied to businesses, foreign corporations trading securities in the U.S., American nationals, and citizens. The law will impose a high financial penalties for businesses that violates the law, and prison time for individuals that are involved in those activities. Previously, Wal-Mart has been investigated for similar misconduct in Mexico and India.

Market Watch reported that lawyers from the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, along with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, traveled to Brazil earlier this month to interview witnesses. Brazilian prosecutors also help its U.S. counterparts in the investigation.

Brazilian prosecutors send the report of evidences about discussion among Wal-Mart employees to hire a former government employee in Brazil. The woman was hired to obtain building permits for two Wal-Mart stores in Brasilia. Prosecutors also have evidence that Wal-Mart made the payments indirectly through other contractors. However, it is still unclear whether the payment is a bribe or not.

Reuters reported, focus on payments in Brazil marks a new development in a years-long investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into potential misconduct by Wal-Mart in some overseas markets. Currently, there is an ongoing investigation in Wal-Mart operation in China, as well as in Mexico and India.

Wal-Mart global operation currently have stores located in 27 countries outside the U.S. with more than 2 milllion employees around the world. The company is facing difficulties in its overseas operation, due to stronger dollar. Slowing economic conditions in some of its locations like Brazil have also hurt its sales.

If Justice Department finds the bribery case is true, then Wal-Mart has to pay a huge amount of penalty giving more damage to the company.