Methode Electronics, Inc., a publicly traded company based in Chicago, is “a leading global supplier of custom-engineered solutions with sales, engineering and manufacturing locations in North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.”
The Company’s solutions are found in the end markets of transportation (including automotive, commercial vehicle, e-bike, aerospace, bus and rail), cloud computing infrastructure, construction equipment and consumer appliance.
The company disclosed FCPA scrutiny in 2024 and recently disclosed:
“[W]e received subpoenas from the SEC dated November 1, 2024 and March 12, 2025 seeking documents and information relating to, among other things, our operations in certain foreign countries, and certain financial reporting and accounting relating thereto, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting previously reported in its public filings, deficiencies and significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, accounting and finance policies and procedures and other accounting and finance matters including new business bookings, certain financial metrics and performance indicators, performance relative to targets and guidance for certain periods, executive compensation policies and amounts, hotline tips and complaints, and terminations or resignations of company executives. These requests may lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of legal proceedings against the Company, which in turn may lead to material fines, penalties or other liabilities. The subpoenas and similar requests have resulted and could result in future costs to the Company, including the expenditure of financial and managerial resources in connection with responding to the subpoena and related investigation or any other future requests for information or investigations. Additionally, the dramatic increase in the cost of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance may cause us to opt for lower overall policy limits or to forgo insurance that we may otherwise rely on to cover any significant defense costs, settlements, and damages awarded to plaintiffs, or incur substantially higher costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. These factors may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified executive officers and members of our board of directors.
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The Company received subpoenas from the SEC dated November 1, 2024 and March 12, 2025 seeking documents and information relating to, among other things, the Company’s operations in certain foreign countries, certain financial and accounting matters relating thereto, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting previously reported in its public filings, deficiencies and significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, accounting and finance policies and procedures and other accounting and finance matters including new business bookings, certain financial metrics and performance indicators, performance relative to targets and guidance for certain periods, executive compensation policies and amounts, hotline tips and complaints, and terminations or resignations of company executives. The Company is cooperating with the SEC. The subpoenas and related investigation or other future requests for information have resulted and could result in future costs to the Company, including the expenditure of financial and managerial resources. In addition, this request may lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of legal proceedings against the Company, which in turn may lead to material fines, penalties or other liabilities. However, at this time, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible loss, if any, that may result from these matters.”
