Tenaris Resolves U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Investigation into Legacy Issue in Brazil; U.S. Department of Justice Closes Parallel Inquiry Without Taking Action

Rhea-AI Summary

Tenaris S.A. (NYSE: TS) has resolved an investigation by the SEC regarding allegations of improper payments linked to its Brazilian subsidiary, Confab Industrial S.A., between 2008 and 2013. The DOJ has closed its parallel inquiry without taking action. Under a settlement with the SEC, Tenaris will pay $53.1 million in disgorgement and interest, along with a $25 million civil penalty. The company maintains it had no involvement in improper payments, which were made by a third party. Tenaris has also enhanced its compliance processes and reduced its reliance on commercial agents.

Positive

• Closure of the SEC investigation mitigates potential financial and reputational risks.
• No evidence found linking Tenaris directly to improper payments.
• Commitment to improved compliance processes enhances operational integrity.

Negative

• Payment of $53.1 million in disgorgement and a $25 million civil penalty impacts short-term financials.

LUXEMBOURG, June 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”) has resolved a previously disclosed investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) into allegations of improper payments between 2008 and 2013 to a manager of the Brazilian state-owned energy company Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”) for the benefit of Tenaris’s Brazilian subsidiary Confab Industrial S.A. (“Confab”). The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has informed Tenaris that it has closed its parallel inquiry into this matter without taking action.

Tenaris voluntarily notified the SEC and DOJ of this matter in 2016 and believes the resolution with the SEC is in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders. The Company cooperated fully with investigators, as the SEC noted in its Order Instituting Proceedings.

Under the settlement with the SEC, Tenaris neither admits nor denies the SEC’s findings and will pay US$53,100,338 in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and a US$25,000,000 civil penalty to conclude the matter.

Upon learning of these allegations in connection with an inquiry by Brazilian authorities, Tenaris conducted, with the assistance of external counsel, an internal investigation and found no evidence corroborating any involvement by Tenaris or its directors, officers or employees in respect of improper payments. Any such payments were made pursuant to an arrangement between a third party working for Confab and a Petrobras official. An internal investigation commissioned by Petrobras also found no evidence that Confab obtained any unfair commercial benefit or advantage from Petrobras in return for payments, including improperly obtained contracts.

Tenaris and its affiliates are committed to transparency and integrity based on the highest ethical standards and strict compliance with the laws and regulations of all jurisdictions in which they operate. As the SEC recognized in its Order, Tenaris has implemented a range of process improvements and remediation actions as part of its continuous focus on enhanced compliance. Its remedial measures have included terminating its commercial agents in Brazil and significantly reducing its use of commercial agents worldwide.

Contact:
Paul Holmes
Finsbury Glover Hering
M: +1.646.281.6015
paul@fgh.com

Some of the statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements.

Tenaris is a leading global supplier of steel tubes and related services for the world’s energy industry and certain other industrial applications.

Giovanni Sardagna
Tenaris
1-888-300-5432
www.tenaris.com

FAQ

What was the SEC investigation about for Tenaris (TS)?

The SEC investigation concerned allegations of improper payments made by Tenaris's Brazilian subsidiary between 2008 and 2013.

What settlement did Tenaris reach with the SEC?

Tenaris agreed to pay $53.1 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest, plus a $25 million civil penalty.

Did Tenaris admit to any wrongdoing in the SEC settlement?

No, Tenaris neither admits nor denies the SEC's findings in the settlement.

What financial impact did the SEC settlement have on Tenaris (TS)?

The settlement resulted in a total payment of $78.1 million, affecting the company's short-term financials.

What measures has Tenaris taken following the SEC investigation?

Tenaris has implemented process improvements and reduced its use of commercial agents globally.