FCPA Scorecard Blog
SAP Self-Discloses Approximately $6.8 Million in Payments to Gupta Family-Related South African Entities
On October 26, SAP, a German multinational software corporation, announced that it has voluntarily disclosed commission payments of approximately $6.8 million to Gupta family-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 SAP’s conduct.
SAP acknowledged that between December 2014 and June 2017, contracts with Transnet and Eskom, both South African state-owned companies, were closed with the assistance of Gupta family-related entities. SAP’s internal investigation has also led to the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against three employees in South Africa. The Gupta 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, SAP 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 SAP has acknowledged that it has begun the process of sharing documents with authorities.