Hitachi Settles SEC FCPA Case for $19M

FCPA SEC Enforcement

On September 28, the SEC filed a settled complaint in Washington, D.C. federal court against Tokyo-based Hitachi, Ltd. for alleged FCPA books and records and internal controls offenses. According to the SEC’s Complaint, the company failed to accurately report payments made to the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s ruling political party, in connection with a multi-billion dollar plan to build new power stations in the country. Hitachi purportedly sold a 25-percent stake in a South African subsidiary to a company that was a front to funnel funds to the ANC. The SEC alleges that Hitachi was (i) aware that it had partnered with a “funding vehicle” for the ANC; (ii) encouraged the front company to continue using its political influence to obtain additional government contracts; and (iii) agreed to pay “success fees” to the front company. Hitachi did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement and agreed to pay a $19 million penalty.

In its announcement, the SEC’s Director of Enforcement, Andrew Ceresney, cited Hitachi’s “lax internal control environment” as the factor that led to the conduct described in the complaint. Continuing the trend of international cooperation in FCPA investigations, the SEC also thanked the African Development Bank and the South African Financial Services Board for their assistance with the investigation.