A Chinese company alleged that it got pushed out of a lucrative
business deal because an American software company secretly
funneled money to powerful Chinese government officials
to ensure a profitable banking contract. In court filings, lawyers
for the Chinese company said they had obtained copies of detailed
e-mails and other records that show that the American company
paid over a million dollars in fees to a consultant for services in
addition to reimbursing the consultant about $170,000 in expenses
covering an array of gifts, hotels, shopping sprees, and entertainment
costs.