U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Litigation Release No. 20457 / February 14, 2008

SEC v. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, Civil Action No. 08-CV-706 (E.D.Pa.)

SEC Sanctions Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation for Improper Payments to Indian Government Employees

On February 14, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed two settled enforcement proceedings charging Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation ("Wabtec"), which is headquartered in western Pennsylvania, with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") in connection with certain improper payments that Wabtec's Indian subsidiary, Pioneer Friction Limited ("Pioneer"), made to employees of the government of India in order to obtain or retain business from the Indian national railway system. Wabtec manufactures, among other things, brake subsystems and related products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger vehicles.

The Commission filed a civil action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania charging Wabtec with violating the anti-bribery, books-and-records and internal controls provisions of the FCPA and seeking a civil penalty. The Commission also issued an administrative order finding that Wabtec violated the same provisions of the FCPA. In the administrative proceeding, the Commission ordered Wabtec to cease and desist from such violations, and to disgorge $259,000, together with $29,351 in prejudgment interest. The Commission also required Wabtec to retain an independent consultant to review and make recommendations concerning the company's FCPA compliance policies and procedures. In the federal civil action, Wabtec agreed to the entry of a final judgment requiring it to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $87,000.

Pioneer, incorporated and headquartered in India, manufactures low and high friction brake blocks for rail operations. Pioneer's financial results are reported on a consolidated basis as part of Wabtec's consolidated financial statements. In both its administrative order and federal court complaint, the Commission charged that, from at least 2001 through 2005, Pioneer made over $137,400 in improper cash payments to employees of the Indian government in order to have its competitive bids for government business granted or considered. As a result of being awarded contracts in 2005, Pioneer realized profits of $259,000. In connection with the improper payments, Wabtec failed to keep accurate books and records, and failed to devise and maintain effective internal accounting controls.

As a result of the conduct described above, the Commission charged that Wabtec violated Sections 13(b)(2)(A), 13(b)(2)(B) and 30A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Wabtec consented to the ordered relief without admitting or denying either the findings contained in the Commission's administrative order, or the allegations of the Commission's complaint. In addition, in a separate non-prosecution agreement with the United States Department of Justice, Wabtec will pay a $300,000 fine.

SEC Complaint in this matter