Microsoft now being investigated for alleged bribes in Russia, Pakistan

Microsoft’s alleged bribery woes may reach farther than China. The Wall Street Journal reports that the United States Department of Justice is widening its probe into whether Microsoft allegedly worked with firms that bribed foreign government officials into accepting the company’s software contracts in both Russia and Pakistan. Among other things, the Journal’s sources say that “in Pakistan, a tipster alleged that Microsoft authorized a consulting firm to pay for a five-day trip to Egypt for a government official and his wife in order to win a tender.” In Russia, meanwhile, a tipster told Microsoft that “resellers of its software allegedly funneled kickbacks to executives of a state-owned company to win a deal.” Microsoft has said in the past that it takes all allegations of bribery seriously and is cooperating with U.S. authorities to help their investigation.