Willbros pays $32.3 mln in bribe settlements - gov't

WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - Energy contractor Willbros Group Inc (WG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed to pay $10.3 million to settle the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's allegations that the company and four former employees paid undisclosed bribes to Nigerian government officials.

Willbros also agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $22 million in an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, the SEC said in a statement.

The SEC alleged that Willbros paid more than $6 million in bribes to obtain two significant contracts that resulted in net profits of nearly $9 million for the company, the agency said. Houston-based Willbros provides engineering, maintenance and other services to the oil, gas and refining industries. (Reporting by Julie Vorman; Editing by Brian Moss)