Wal-Mart and alleged bribery in Mexico

January 10, 2013

Two members of Congress have released information indicating the CEO of Wal-Mart knew as early as 2005 that the company’s Mexican unit was passing out bribes.

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings and Henry Waxman of California, who are investigating bribery charges at Wal-Mart, have released documents they obtained from a confidential source that indicates Mike Duke and other senior Wal-Mart officials were informed about bribery allegations multiple times. They say they sent a letter to Duke to discuss the documents. Allegations surfaced last April that Wal-Mart failed to notify law enforcement that company officials authorized millions of dollars in bribes in Mexico to speed up getting building permits and gain other favors. In a statement, Wal-Mart said that it has been providing information to the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the documents that were released by lawmakers on Thursday. Steve Goldstein, KJZZ News.