New York Times Accuses Walmart of Bribery Cover-Up

Walmart, the Arkansas-based retail giant, banks its brand on family values, but in recent years, the company has faced criticism as its executives try to balance high moral standards with extremely rapid growth.  A new investigation from our partner The New York Times  investigates a  potential corruption scandal, stemming from a network of bribery in the company’s Mexico stores.  Walmart de Mexico is the country’s largest private employer, and while the company’s board adopted a strict anti-corruption policy years ago, the Times investigation discovered that a system of payoffs allowed Walmart to grow its Mexico business at record pace. The bribes bought the quick approval of mayors, urban planners, environmental impact analysts and many more.  Ben Heineman, a senior fellow at Harvard Law School and expert on corporate governance, explains the aftermath for Walmart.