Oscar H. Meza
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Litigation Release No. 21190 / August 28, 2009
Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Release No. 3041 / August 28, 2009
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. OSCAR H. MEZA, Civil Action No. 1:09-CV-01648 (D.D.C.) (Filed August 28, 2009)
SEC SUES FORMER SALES EXECUTIVE FOR FOREIGN BRIBERY
On August 28, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a settled enforcement action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against Oscar H. Meza, formerly the Director of Asia-Pacific Sales for Faro Technologies, Inc. ("Faro"), a software development and manufacturing company. The Commission's complaint alleges that Meza authorized bribery payments to employees of Chinese state-owned companies in order to obtain contracts, and that in order to conceal the bribes Meza instructed that account entries be altered. The Commission charged Meza with violations of the anti-bribery, books and records and internal control provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), and with aiding and abetting Faro's violations of the anti-bribery, books and records and internal control provisions of the FCPA.
The Commission's complaint alleges that beginning in 2004, Meza authorized a former employee of Faro's subsidiary, Faro Shanghai Co., Ltd. ("Faro-China"), to make the improper payments. The complaint alleges that Meza's actions resulted in Faro-China's payment of $444,492 in bribes during the period 2004 through 2006, generating approximately $4.5 million in sales and approximately $1.4 million in net profit.
Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, Meza has consented to the entry of a final judgment permanently enjoining him from violating Sections 30A and 13(b)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Exchange Act Rule 13b2-1, and from aiding and abetting violations of Sections 30A, 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act. The final judgment also orders that Meza pay a $30,000 civil penalty, as well as $26,707 in disgorgement and prejudgment interest.
The Commission previously instituted a settled administrative proceeding against Faro in connection with the bribery payments. See Exchange Act Release No. 57933 (June 5, 2008); Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Release No. 2836.
The Commission acknowledges the assistance of the United States Department of Justice, Fraud Section.
