WPP Pays $19 Million in Bribery Settlement With US SEC

Branding signage for WPP, the largest global advertising and public relations agency, at their offices in London, Britain, on July 17, 2019. Toby Melville/Reuters

WASHINGTON—Britain’s WPP has agreed to pay more than $19 million in a settlement with U.S. authorities relating to bribery allegations and accounting controls for its subsidiaries, including in India and China.

The world’s largest advertising firm did not admit or deny allegations that it violated provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act but agreed to pay the penalty, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said.