Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said it spent $439 million in the past two years to investigate the possible payment of foreign bribes, making it one of the most expensive probes in U.S. history.
The company spent $282 million in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31 and $157 million the previous year, and expenses will continue to rise, according to an annual report filed March 21. On Feb. 20, Wal-Mart projected FCPA probe and compliance costs would be $200 million to $240 million for fiscal 2015.
