Stryker settles U.S. civil bribery charges for $13.2 million

By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Medical device maker Stryker Corp will pay $13.2 million to settle civil charges the company bribed doctors and government officials to win business in five different countries, U.S. regulators said Thursday. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said the company tried to mask $2.2 million in bribes in Argentina, Greece, Mexico, Poland and Romania by booking them as legitimate expenses for charitable donations, travel costs, consulting services and commissions. Stryker is settling the case without admitting or denying the charges. …