The Detroit Free Press is reporting that DaimlerChrysler and U.S. government attorneys have reached an agreement in which the company will pay $185 million to settle charges that it paid bribes to foreign officials to obtain at least $50 million in business profits. Company auditor David Bazzetta objected to the bribes, and went over his boss’ head to try to get the company to stop the practice. In 2004, the company fired him. Company officials are now expected to answer the charges in a federal court in Washington, DC, next week. The company probably could have saved a couple million dollars if they had just listened to their whistleblower. Better late than never, I say.
