Juniper Networks Embroiled in Bribery Investigation

The U.S. government is investigating bribery allegations involving Juniper Networks, the company has revealed.

Both the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are trying to determine if Juniper violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which forbids U.S. companies from winning business by giving bribes to foreign officials, Bloomberg reported. Neither the SEC nor the Justice Department would comment. A representative for the equipment giant told the business news site that he “can’t predict the scope or duration” of the investigation.

Juniper’s largest foreign customer is China Mobile but there’s no word if the investigation involves contracts with the Asian wireless giant.

In just the last two years, Oracle and IBM have paid millions of dollars in settlements involving accusations that they violated the FCPA. An analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co. told Bloomberg that many resellers and distributors lack the internal controls that would prevent bribery. 

Follow senior online managing editor


@Craig_Galbraith

on Twitter.