| French retailer Carrefour staff held in bribery probe |
SHANGHAI, Aug. 27 (AP) -- Chinese authorities have questioned staff working for the French retailer Carrefour and have formally detained eight on bribery allegations, state media reports said Monday.
The actions were taken following an internal investigation by Carrefour, the world's second-largest retailer, the Shanghai Securities News and China Business Journal reported, citing unidentified Carrefour staff.
The China Business Journal said eight Carrefour staff were among 22 people questioned by police in connection with the probe. Of the 22, 12 were employed by suppliers to Carrefour, it said.
According to the Chinese media reports, the Carrefour staff were held on suspicion of taking bribes in exchange for winning contracts to supply fresh foods to the retailer. The reports gave no details on the amount of money involved.
Phone calls to the publicity department at Carrefour's China headquarters rang unanswered Monday.
Foreign companies have stepped up internal inspections as they face increased scrutiny over compliance with government regulations amid a wider crackdown on economic crimes.
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