Company

Computer Associates guilty plea

The former vice president of finance of Computer Associates, the US software giant, has pleaded guilty in an audit probe case.

David Rivard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and obstruct justice.

US prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission have spent two years investigating allegations that the firm inflated its accounts

Japan trade watchdog raids Intel

Intel, the world’s biggest maker of computer chips, has confirmed that Japan’s Fair Trade Commission raided its offices there on Thursday.

“We’re aware of the fact that the authorities paid us a visit,” said Intel spokesman Tom Beerman.

“We’re co-operating fully with their investigation,” he added

Probe into Vivendi share buyback

French police have searched the offices of the country’s stock market regulator as part of a probe into an allegedly illegal shares buyback by Vivendi.

The French conglomerate is under investigation for illegally buying back its own stock in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in America.

It is claimed the company, which has previously faced fraud charges in the US, wanted to maintain its share price

Microsoft hit by record EU fine

Software giant Microsoft must pay a fine of 497m euros ($613m; £331m) for abusing its dominant market position, the European Commission has ordered.

Competition Commissioner Mario Monti also insisted Microsoft must reveal secrets of its Windows software, which sits on 90% of the world’s PCs.

The European Commission approved Microsoft’s punishment on Wednesday

Coca Cola recalls Dasani amid cancer fears

Coca-Cola is to recall all bottles of its Dasani water in the UK, after levels of bromate were found to exceed legal levels.

The recall is an embarrassment for the drinks giant, which has faced criticism for selling what is treated and purified tap water.

Coca-Cola said it had consulted the Food Standards Agency, which agreed there were no immediate safety fears

Microsoft facing EU fines

Software giant Microsoft is facing a heavy fine and swingeing penalties following the breakdown of talks with Brussels over anti-trust action.

European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is now planning to unveil the draft EU competition ruling against the firm on Wednesday, 24 March.

Both Mr Monti and Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer agreed that commitment over future conduct was the sticking point

US to withhold Halliburton bills

The Pentagon is to withhold 15% of the payments it owes controversial firm Halliburton for the company’s supply of meals to US troops in Iraq.

A Pentagon spokeswoman said the 15% – some $300m (£165m) – will not be paid until auditors have established the actual final cost of the food.

It comes as US criminal investigations continue into whether Halliburton has overcharged the Pentagon for the meals

Bank of America agrees to pay fines

It is the biggest pay-out yet won by regulators tracking down wrongdoing by US mutual funds, in which at least half of US households have savings.

Bank of America and FleetBoston agreed to pay fines and cut their fees, but admitted no wrongdoing.

The US market regulator and New York’s attorney general unveiled the deal

Fleet Boston agrees to pay fines

It is the biggest pay-out yet won by regulators tracking down wrongdoing by US mutual funds, in which at least half of US households have savings.

Bank of America and FleetBoston agreed to pay fines and cut their fees, but admitted no wrongdoing.

The US market regulator and New York’s attorney general unveiled the deal

Kraft bonuses: $10million amid layoffs

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Food maker has to lay off 6,000 workers and close 20 plants, but execs still got paid big bonuses.

Bonuses totaling more than $10 million were paid out to five Kraft Foods Inc. executives at the end of 2003, even as the giant food maker made plans to lay off thousands of workers