Walmart Deadlocked With U.S. Over Bribery Probe
- Deal was seen close after set-aside of almost $300 million
- Retailer balks at admitting certain misdeeds in global scandal
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Walmart Inc. set aside nearly $300 million last fall for a possible resolution with the U.S. government over international bribery allegations, a sign that an end to the years-long investigation was imminent.
But eight months later, the sides are deadlocked, three people familiar with the matter said. It’s not about the money: One source of tension is prosecutors’ insistence that Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, admit to certain misconduct as part of any deal, one of the people said.