Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Chief Executive Michael Duke found out in 2005 that the retailer's Mexico unit was handing out bribes to local officials, according to emails obtained by lawmakers.
The lawmakers say the emails contradict earlier claims by Wal-Mart senior executives that they weren't aware of bribes being made by the company.
Reps. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) and Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), who are investigating bribery allegations at Wal-Mart's Mexico division, on Thursday released emails that indicate Duke and other senior executives were informed multiple times starting in 2005 about bribes being made in the country. U.S. law forbids American companies from bribing foreign officials.
The lawmakers shared the emails, which they say they received from a confidential source, with Wal-Mart on Wednesday and sent a letter to Duke asking for a meeting to discuss them.
"It would be a serious matter if the CEO of one of our nation's largest companies failed to address allegations of a bribery scheme," according to the letter written by Waxman and Cummings to Duke.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said Thursday that the congressmen's letter "leaves the wrong impression that our public statements are contradicted by the information they released today."
Allegations first surfaced in April that Wal-Mart failed to notify law enforcement that executives had authorized millions of dollars in bribes in Mexico to speed up getting building permits and gain other favors. Wal-Mart has been working with government officials in the U.S. and Mexico on that investigation.
The company has been conducting an internal investigation into the matter. And in November, the retailer said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it was looking into potential U.S. bribery law violations in Brazil, China and India.
Wal-Mart said in a statement Thursday that it had been providing information to the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the documents that were released by lawmakers Thursday. The world's largest retailer also said it was exploring other ways to make additional information available.
"We are committed to having a strong and effective global anti-corruption program everywhere we operate and taking appropriate action for any instance of noncompliance," Buchanan said.
Wal-Mart emails show CEO knew of Mexico bribes, lawmakers say
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Wal-Mart emails show CEO knew of Mexico bribes, lawmakers say
