The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) came down hard on 3M Company on Friday, fining it over $6.5 million. The charges? Funneling bribes to Chinese hospital officials through extravagant “business trips” abroad.
The American multinational conglomerate, which works across multiple industries, including healthcare and consumer goods, recently boasted about its Chinese subsidiary’s use of digital assets to “enhance the customer experience.”
SEC Accuses 3M of Corruption
Officially, it’s not its adventures in digital assets that have caused 3M’s problems. But, rather, a series of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
For years, according to the SEC, 3M’s Chinese subsidiary secretly funded overseas junkets for administrators of state-owned hospitals and healthcare facilities.
These luxurious trips had little to do with business conferences or hospital visits. They were actually exotic vacations packed with leisure activities to influence officials to purchase more 3M medical products. At least that is the SEC’s view.
From 2014 to 2017, 3M footed the bill for at least 24 of these lavish getaways, costing the company nearly $1 million. The Chinese officials were treated to hot air balloon rides, private vineyard tours, spa treatments, golf outings, and other upscale tourism activities. The Chinese officials often skipped conference days entirely to enjoy the trips and activities.
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Author: Josh Adams
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