The anonymous letter led to an investigation into Adidas’ China operations.
German sportswear giant Adidas has launched an investigation into possible corruption in the company’s China operations, The Financial Times reports.
The investigation was triggered by a letter shared on Chinese social media Xiaohongshu, signed “Adidas Chinese employees”.
In the letter, several Adidas China management employees were accused by name of corruption and embezzlement.
According to the letter, one of Adidas China’s managers would have received “millions of dollars in cash” and real estate as bribes from suppliers.
The list of names in the letter included, among others, the director working with Adidas China marketing, who, according to the letter, works with the annual marketing budget of the Chinese operations of 268 million dollars.
Adidas told the FT that it had received the letter on June 7 and was “intensively” investigating the matter. According to sources inside the FT, the letter offered no evidence to support the charges, but appeared to be well-informed about internal, confidential matters at the company.
Adidas recently did not respond to AFP news agency’s requests for comment.
Source: AFP