InfoBytes Blog
German Software Company Self-Discloses Approximately $6.8 Million in Payments to Gupta Family-Related South African Entities
On October 26, a German multinational software corporation, announced that it has voluntarily disclosed commission payments of approximately $6.8 million to a wealthy South African family's related entities to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The voluntary disclosure in July has led to an ongoing DOJ and SEC investigation into the company's conduct.
The company acknowledged that between December 2014 and June 2017, contracts with two South African state-owned companies were closed with the assistance of family-related entities. The company’s internal investigation has also led to the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against three employees in South Africa. The family, which is connected to South African President Jacob Zuma, has previously denied wrongdoing associated with receiving such kickbacks. While acknowledging cooperation with the DOJ and the SEC, the company stated that it has had no interaction with South African authorities and has not decided whether the company will approach South African authorities in the future. The U.S. investigation is ongoing and the company has acknowledged that it has begun the process of sharing documents with authorities.