ACCENTURE TO PAY $64 MILLION TO SETTLE WHISTLEBLOWER SUIT

Accenture LLP, the premiere technology consulting firm has agreed to pay $64 million to settle a false claims act whistleblower suit allegin that it received kickbacks for its recommendations of hardware and software in connection with federal information technology contracts. The lawsuit, filed in 2004 relates to numerous information technology service contracts with various US agencies. Accenture LLP is a US based unit of Dublin based Accenture PLC which employes more than 223,000 people in 120 countries. It has revenues of $35.4 billion for year ending August 31, 2010. The case is U.S. ex rel Rille v. Accenture LLP, 04-cv-985 U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas (Little Rock).