Microsoft, SEC in Settlement Talks
Reuters | at | by Mike
Microsoft Corp. is in talks with regulators to settle longstanding charges it misrepresented its financial results, but it isn't expected to pay a fine, The Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition Thursday, citing unnamed sources. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will likely bring civil charges that Microsoft failed to keep accurate books and records, the paper said, citing people familiar with the matter. When companies settle such charges, they typically agree to abide by SEC rules rather than pay a fine, the Journal said. "Microsoft has cooperated fully with the SEC but because this is not a public inquiry, it's not appropriate to comment further or speculate about the status," of the investigation or any settlement talks, a company spokesman is quoted as saying.