January 29, 2014 — The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is focused on multinational corporations that boost their revenue abroad by paying illegal bribes to government officials or their family members. When businesses resort to kickbacks and pay-offs to win overseas contracts, they cause an uneven marketplace and unfairly disadvantage competitors. To tackle foreign bribery, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 offers significant financial rewards for whistleblowers who notify the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about FCPA violations.
Whistleblower Alleged that NCR Bribed Government Officials in Middle East and China
NCR Corp., the manufacturer of automated teller machines, has reached a settlement in a 2012 lawsuit brought by a shareholder turned whistleblower who alleged that NCR’s executives and board members wilfully violated the FCPA by making illegal bribes to government officials in the Middle East and China. Sharon Williams alleged in the suit that NCR made intentional false statements concerning its operations in these countries and failed to ensure that improper conduct did not occur in the first place.
NCR has admitted no fault concerning the foreign bribery allegations.
As part of the settlement, NCR has agreed to beef up its risk and compliance program in several ways. According to Inside Counsel, the company will pay for increased compliance training for NCR insiders, company agents and others who work with the company. In addition, NCR will create a China-specific program to track gifts and entertainment costs there. The company will also develop a company-wide process for monitoring gifts and entertainment costs around the globe.
Whistleblowers Tip Off SEC to Foreign Bribery Operations
Waters & Kraus has a national reputation for high profile qui tam litigation because we’ve earned it. We know how to collaborate with the government in whistleblower cases and we understand how to protect you during the process. At Waters & Kraus, we’ve worked with many informants in your position and we recognize that you may feel that you’re in a difficult spot. Contact us or phone our FCPA lawyers at 855.784.0268 to learn how we can join together to accomplish what’s right.
