FedEx Investigates Bribery Allegations In Its Kenya Operation

FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) is investigating allegations that its Kenya operation paid bribes to government officials, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

An anonymous email sent to the international shipping company in December 2013 reportedly said that bribes were paid to customs officials and government vehicle inspectors to clear shipments without inspection.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act forbids companies from offering money or gifts to foreign government officials to gain a business advantage. FedEx told the WSJ that they reported the allegations to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission“shortly after” they received the email, according to the WSJ.

Though the company is currently investigating the matter, as yet the firm has “not found anything to substantiate the allegations.”

Kenya ranks near the bottom of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, and scored just 27 out of 100 for public perception.