• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Volvo settles Iraq bribery case with US authorities

Published: 20 Mar 08 17:05 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/10628/20080320/

Volvo has agreed to pay $19.6 million in fines, as well as return past profits with interest from contracts implicated in a bribery scandal related to the UN Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq.

Under the settlement, Volvo enters into a consent agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) resolving issues related to the activities of two of its subsidiaries in Iraq under the UN programme.

“The incident is, of course, regrettable, but we do note with some satisfaction that the authorities spoke favourably of the cooperation by Volvo as well as Volvo’s own investigation and measures”, said Volvo CEO Leif Johansson in a statement.

“It is important that we all now learn from what occurred.”

Volvo was one of 2,000 firms listed in a United Nations investigator’s 2005 report detailing bribes to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's regime, in contravention of international sanctions against the country.

The bribes are alleged to have been made within the framework of the now scandal-ridden Oil for Food programme. Saddam Hussein gained up to $1.8 billion in bribes during the sanctions era.

Volvo will charge $10 million of the fines to its 2008 first quarter operating income.

The settlement also stipulates that Volvo will improve internal compliance measures between Volvo and its subsidiaries.

David Landes (news@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6513)

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This
Business & Money headlines

EU to probe Sweden's 'economic imbalance'

Sweden is among twelve countries set to be discussed in a report from the EU commission, due to what the European Commission has identified as imbalances in the economy. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

House prices in Sweden begin upward climb

House prices in Sweden begin upward climb

After observing a slight rise in real estate prices after the first month of 2012, Swedish realtors are hoping that this may be the beginning of a positive trend after last year's plummeting prices. READ »

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

40 percent of recruiters are checking potential employee’s social networking pages during the hiring process, a figure which has shot up from last year, according to a recent report. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Families of children in Sweden suffering from narcolepsy caused by vaccination for the swine flu can expect some form of compensation, Swedish health minister Göran Hägglund said on Sunday in response to new calls for help from parents. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Swedish defence group Saab on Friday reported a major boost in earnings for 2011 thanks to winning several major contracts, but a drop in orders left investors jittery, sending Saab's stock price down nearly 10 percent. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin, the ex-Swedish hockey great, has made a donation supporting research into children's health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the University of Toronto. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M has been criticized for choosing not to attend a hearing to highlight poor conditions for textile workers in Cambodia, where hundreds of employees at a plant run by the Swedish fashion giant mysteriously passed out in August. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

The bankruptcy of Spanair pulled SAS into the red for 2011, despite improved operating profits, the Scandinavian airline reported on Wednesday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Swedish defence group Saab have announced that it will cut the price on its Gripen fighter jet to secure its Swiss order after a threat by French planemaker Dassault to undercut them. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

A file image of a worker at a Volvo Cars assembly plant

Few Swedes ready to work until they're 75: poll

An overwhelming majority of Swedes disagree with Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's suggestion that workers should be ready to stay on the job until they are 75, a new poll shows. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

More Business & Money

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Find a new job in Sweden now
14/02 Channel Marketing Campaign Manager/Specialist - B2B
SAP
Stockholm
14/02 Quality Manager
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 Production leader
Kornboden Resurs AB
STHM
14/02 Application SW Architects/Developers within Product Development
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 IT Development Graduates
Danske Bank
Copenhagen
14/02 Regulatory Affairs Associate
Poolia AB
Göteborg
14/02 Sales Coordinator
Bureau Veritas S.A. Frankrike Filial
Göteborg
14/02 System developer within Q&A (Java och C) in Mid Sweden
Qwork AB
Karlstad
14/02 UX Engineer (.NET) - Limited Contract
Monster
Prague
14/02 Software Engineer - Gameplay/Audio
EA DICE
Stockholm

ALL JOBS »


Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se