Ericsson Confirms U.S. Anticorruption Probe

STOCKHOLM—Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson AB is being investigated by U.S. authorities over possible corruption.

Ericsson said Friday it received a request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2013 to voluntarily provide information on its anticorruption policies and procedures, as well as some of its operations.

Ericsson said the questions were related to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The statement comes after Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet reported that the company is being investigated by U.S. authorities over its activities in China.

Minako Nakatsuma Olofzon, a spokeswoman for Ericsson, said the company had confirmed to local media in 2013 that it had received the request, but media reports at the time said U.S. authorities were investigating Ericsson's business operations in Romania.

Ms. Nakatsuma Olofzon refused to give more details on which business practices were being investigated by the SEC, but said that Ericsson will cooperate fully with authorities.

"While we strive to at all times conduct our business in compliance with applicable laws, matters do arise from time to time as a result of the global nature of our business," the company said.

Ericsson's shares were trading 1.65% lower at 62.55 Swedish kronor in midmorning trade in Stockholm.

Write to Matthias Verbergt at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 17, 2016 06:55 ET (10:55 GMT)

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