Alcoa World Alumina LLC Settles with DOJ
Alcoa Inc. Settles with SEC
Amounts to be Paid in Five Installments over Four Years
Government Recognizes Alcoa for its Cooperation and Compliance Efforts
Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) today announced the resolution of
the investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding certain legacy
alumina contracts with Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba).
The settlement with the DOJ was reached with Alcoa World Alumina LLC
(AWA). AWA is a company within Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC),
the unincorporated bauxite mining and alumina refining venture between
Alcoa Inc. and Alumina Limited.
As part of the DOJ resolution, subject to final court approval later
today, AWA will pay a total of $223 million, including a fine of $209
million payable in five equal installments over four years. The first
installment of $41.8 million, plus a one-time administrative forfeiture
of $14 million, will be paid in the first quarter of 2014, and the
remaining installments of $41.8 million each will be paid in the first
quarters of 2015-2018. The $223 million amount is within the range
previously disclosed by Alcoa Inc. During the second quarter of 2013,
Alcoa recorded a $103 million charge ($62 million after non-controlling
interest) for the DOJ investigation.
Under the terms of the DOJ resolution, AWA is pleading guilty to one
count of violating the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act (FCPA). The DOJ is bringing no case against Alcoa Inc.
Alcoa also settled civil charges filed by the SEC in an administrative
proceeding relating to the anti-bribery, internal controls, and books
and records provisions of the FCPA. Under the terms of the settlement
with the SEC, Alcoa Inc. agreed to a settlement amount of $175 million,
but will be given credit for the $14 million one-time forfeiture
payment, which is part of the DOJ resolution, resulting in a total cash
payment to the SEC of $161 million payable in five equal installments
over four years. The first installment of $32.2 million will be paid to
the SEC in the first quarter of 2014, and the remaining installments of
$32.2 million each will be paid in the first quarters of 2015-2018.
There is no allegation in the filings by the DOJ and there is no finding
by the SEC that anyone at Alcoa Inc. knowingly engaged in the conduct at
issue.
The DOJ credited Alcoa for “the substantial cooperation provided to the
Department” throughout the investigation. The DOJ also credited Alcoa
with launching an independent investigation overseen by a special
committee of the Board of Directors and implementing enhanced due
diligence reviews of third party agents and consultants.
Similarly, the SEC has agreed that Alcoa “fully cooperated with the
staff of the Commission.” The SEC has also acknowledged Alcoa’s
extensive compliance efforts, including its comprehensive compliance
reviews of anti-corruption policies and procedures and enhancements made
to internal controls.
Alcoa welcomes the resolution of this legacy legal matter with the U.S.
Government.
As previously disclosed, under an agreement between Alcoa Inc. and
Alumina Limited, the costs (including all associated legal fees) of the
settlements with the DOJ and SEC, as well as the $85 million civil
settlement with Alba reached in October 2012, will be allocated between
Alcoa Inc. and Alumina Limited on an 85% and 15% basis, respectively. As
a result of the settlements with the DOJ and the SEC, including the
impact of the allocation agreement between Alcoa and Alumina Limited,
Alcoa will record a charge of $288 million ($243 million after-tax and
non-controlling interest) in the fourth quarter of 2013. Taking into
account this fourth-quarter charge, Alcoa will have recognized all costs
associated with the resolution of the Alba civil suit and related
government investigations.
About AWAC and AWA
AWAC is a global bauxite mining and alumina refining enterprise between
Alcoa Inc. and Alumina Limited. AWAC consists of a number of affiliated
operating entities, including Alcoa World Alumina LLC, which own or
operate bauxite mines and alumina refineries in seven countries. Alcoa
owns 60% and Alumina Limited owns 40% of these individual entities,
which are consolidated by Alcoa for financial reporting purposes.
AWA LLC is a US-based AWAC company organized under the laws of Delaware
that owns, directly or indirectly, alumina refineries and bauxite mines
in the Atlantic region.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is a global innovation leader in lightweight metals, products and
solutions. Its technology, expertise and industry reach continue to
advance automotive and aerospace transportation, building and
construction, consumer electronics and packaging, defense applications
across air, land and sea, and the oil and gas industry. Alcoa pioneered
the modern-day aluminum industry 125 years ago and today is a leader in
delivering value-add products made from a range of lightweight metals
and flat-rolled aluminum. Alcoa is also a world leading producer of
primary aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and
refiner of alumina. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index for 12 consecutive years and approximately 75
percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 60,000 people in 30
countries around the world. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com,
follow @Alcoa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Alcoa
and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.
Alcoa Inc.
Investor Contact:
Kelly Pasterick, 212-836-2674
Kelly.Pasterick@alcoa.com
or
Media Contact:
Monica Orbe, 212-836-2632
Monica.Orbe@alcoa.com