WSJ: Microsoft under investigation for alleged bribes for state contracts in Romania, Italy, China

Software maker Microsoft is being investigated in the US for having allegedly bribed foreign government officials in return for software contracts, according to the Wall Street Journal, quoting unnamed sources.

Lawyers from the U.S. Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission are currently looking at allegations made by a former Microsoft representative in China and at Microsoft's relationship with resellers and consultants in Romania and Italy. The investigation is still in a preliminary phase and Microsoft hasn't been accused of anything. "Like every large company with operations around the world we sometimes receive allegations about potential misconduct by employees or business partners," said John Frank, Microsoft's vice-president and deputy general counsel. "We cooperate fully in any government inquiries," he added. U.S. investigators are also checking the allegations that Microsoft resellers offered bribes to secure software deals with Romania's Ministry of Communications, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read the full WSJ article: US Probes Microsoft, Partners Over Bribery Claims editor@romania-insider.com