Tue Apr 24, 2012, 03:27 AM

Judi Lynn (78,150 posts)

After bribery report, Walmart defends integrity

Source: Los Angeles Times

Published Tuesday April 24, 2012
After bribery report, Walmart defends integrity
The Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Walmart Stores Inc. said it’s a stickler for integrity, issuing a lengthy response to a report that the massive retailer shut down an investigation into alleged bribery in its Mexico operations.

“In a large global enterprise such as Walmart, sometimes issues arise despite our best efforts and intentions,” the company said.

The “issues” in question: The chain’s possible violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, based on what one informant claimed was rampant bribery from Walmart executives attempting to boost the company’s growth in Mexico.

The huge retailer has been emphasizing in recent years its transformation into a conscientious global citizen, touting its eco-friendly efforts and commitment to healthful, justifiably sourced products.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20120424/MONEY/704249936

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11 replies	Author	Time	Post
After bribery report, Walmart defends integrity (Original post)	Judi Lynn	Apr 2012	OP
How about a 100% tax/penalty for the same amount paid in bribes?	IndyJones	Apr 2012	#1
How about yanking their corporate charter	Sherman A1	Apr 2012	#2
That sounds good, too. I have no love for Walmart. Never shop there or Sam's Club.	IndyJones	Apr 2012	#3
That wouldn't even sting.	quakerboy	Apr 2012	#4
I like your idea better.	IndyJones	Apr 2012	#5
Integrity and Walmart in the same sentence?	hobbit709	Apr 2012	#6
My first reaction also!	FailureToCommunicate	Apr 2012	#7
Not surprised	A wise Man	Apr 2012	#8
WalMart isn't the problem	melm00se	Apr 2012	#9
US law trumps that.	closeupready	Apr 2012	#10
Yes but don't blame the Mexicans ...	bayareaboy	Apr 2012	#11

Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 03:38 AM

IndyJones (1,061 posts)

1. How about a 100% tax/penalty for the same amount paid in bribes?

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Response to IndyJones (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 04:13 AM

Sherman A1 (11,790 posts)

2. How about yanking their corporate charter

I think that would be much, much more effective.

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Response to Sherman A1 (Reply #2)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 04:26 AM

IndyJones (1,061 posts)

3. That sounds good, too. I have no love for Walmart. Never shop there or Sam's Club.

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Response to IndyJones (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 04:37 AM

quakerboy (10,630 posts)

4. That wouldn't even sting.

Its small change to Walmart.

How about a new law that any company who breaks the law loses all tax benefit otherwise available from the from the US government for the year. And that they face fines of at least 10 times the benefit of any wrong doing. As well as having to directly reimburse any injured private parties at least 10 times the damage they caused. And that CEO's who can be shown to sign off on illegal activities can be personally prosecuted.

That might leave a mark. At the least, they would get a lot more circumspect about hiding the wrongs they do.

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Response to quakerboy (Reply #4)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 05:04 AM

IndyJones (1,061 posts)

5. I like your idea better.

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Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 06:49 AM

hobbit709 (26,464 posts)

6. Integrity and Walmart in the same sentence?

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Response to hobbit709 (Reply #6)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 08:56 AM

FailureToCommunicate (4,404 posts)

7. My first reaction also!

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Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 09:03 AM

A wise Man (1,076 posts)

8. Not surprised

WALMART Still funds "ALEC"

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Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 09:08 AM

melm00se (2,441 posts)

9. WalMart isn't the problem

Last edited Tue Apr 24, 2012, 09:09 AM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

here (but they do create plenty of problems). Greasing palms is the traditional way of getting things done south of the border.

Mexicans spent a whopping US$2.58 billion in bribes in 2007, some 42% more than they doled out just two years ago, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by the non-profit group Transparency Mexico, showed that 197 million bribes were paid nationwide in 2007 — compared to 115 million in 2005.

USA Today 4/16/2008

"LA MORDIDA", translation "the bite" is the term used for a bribe in this country. It is the traditional and customary way of getting things done. The bureaucrat who does your bidding takes a bite out of the cost of completing your objective. Mexican reformers are trying to change this condition with little success. It is so institutionalized that it could take decades before the situation changes appreciably. Bribing a cop, a judge or a permit agent is not the exclusive domain of Mexico. News stories about bribery scandals in the United States are not uncommon but in Mexico it is a way of life instead of an aberration in the system. Source

It happens from top to bottom in Mexico and is, unfortunately, accepted there.

I know that most companies that do business in Mexico (and other countries where bribery/(large) gift giving is par for the course) have extremely specific policies on dealing with this. I know that mine does.

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Response to melm00se (Reply #9)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 09:52 AM

closeupready (19,695 posts)

10. US law trumps that.

Just the way it goes.

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Response to melm00se (Reply #9)

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 12:41 PM

bayareaboy (585 posts)

11. Yes but don't blame the Mexicans ...

Here in America, Wall-Mart does it slightly different. They go to civic agencies and talk smack and then get anything they want.

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