"Energy companies are nervously following the investigation of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s alleged corruption in Mexico. While the link between the energy industry and the retail behemoth isn't obvious, attorneys who advise oil and gas companies say the U.S. government will focus more on petroleum companies as a result of the Wal-Mart investigation."

"It comes down to how the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the law that outlaws bribery of foreign officials. ...

Oil and gas companies have always been in the cross hairs on such issues because they tend to be active in countries with high rates of corruption, but now they have to be more careful than ever, experts in white-collar crime say."

Lawrence Hurley reports for Greenwire May 31, 2012.
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SEE ALSO:

"Vast Mexico Bribery Case Hushed Up by Wal-Mart After Top-Level Struggle" (New York Times) [3]