Dun & Bradstreet firm will pay $9.2 million to securities regulators to settle charges by the S.E.C. that its subsidiaries in China made unlawful payments to win or keep business from 2006 through 2012.The S.E.C. the illegal payments weren’t properly recorded in the company’s books and the company’s accounting controls were too weak to detect the problem.
Dun & Bradstreet terminated 11 people involved in the misconduct, disciplined others and will pay the SEC “the full amount of disgorgement” determined by the securities regulator. The SEC said the company will pay $6.1 million of profit gained via its misconduct, interest of $1.1 million and a penalty of $2 million, bringing the total to $9.2 million.
Dun & Bradstreet didn’t admit or deny wrongdoing. The company confirmed it resolved matters with the SEC and said it takes seriously its obligation to run its business legally and responsibly.
Jeffrey Newman represents whistleblowers.
