Xerox scam probe to be over soon, says MD

Printer and copier maker Xerox Modicorp Ltd said on Thursday the report of a prolonged investigation into a bribery scandal involving payoffs to government officials was expected to be out soon. The investigation was initiated by the government in July 2002, after the US-based parent company, Xerox Corp, disclosed to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that officials of its Indian subsidiary made payments of $7 lakh to government officials in 2000 to secure high-value contracts. ‘‘We have provided truckloads of documents to them. The final report is expected soon,’’ Xerox Modicorp’s MD Marcus Childs said, but declined to give details.