노르웨이 경찰, Fast에 대해 압수수색

올초 MS가 인수한 Fast에 대해서 부정회계 혐의로 압수수색을 실시했다고 합니다. 이에 대해서는 얼마전 웅차장이 보고하기도 했습니다만, 퇴사한 직원이 재입사한 회계법인에  회계감사를 맏기거나, 데모로 설치해주고 정식계약되지 않아서 계약 파기된 제품에 대해서도 매출 자료로 잡는 등 여러 수법을 통해서 매출을 늘리고 부정을 저질렀다는 점입니다.

이로 인해 생긴 이익은 창업주의 저택이나 요트를 구매하는 자금으로 사용되는 등 좀 방만하게 운영되었다고 하지요. 다음은 16일자 로이터의 기사입니다.

Norway police charge Microsoft's Fast with fraud

Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:05am EDT

OSLO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The Norwegian police economic crimes unit said it had charged Microsoft-owned search technology firm Fast Search & Transfer with accounting fraud on Thursday.

"We are raiding Fast's offices now to secure evidence," police attorney Baard Thorsen said. "The charge is for accounting fraud."

Fast was acquired by Microsoft (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for $1.2 billion in February.

"The charge regards accounts from before Microsoft came in," Thorsen said. "We think Fast recognised revenues that there is no basis for."

Fast was not immediately available for comment.

Norway's financial watchdog said in May it had reported possible violation of accounting rules by Fast to the economic crimes unit.

In June the watchdog said it would also probe the auditor of Fast, Deloitte & Touche DLTE.UL, for suspected irregularities in the computer group's accounts.

Fast is the world's second largest provider of enterprise search software that allows companies to comb internal corporate documents, data and other information, a market also targeted by Google (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Before Microsoft's buyout, Fast stock had tumbled after the company said in mid 2007 it would no longer recognise revenues from memorandums of understanding, and instead book revenue only from final deals.

The police and Norwegian Ministry of Justice are among Fast's customers in Norway.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUKLG591420081016