Horizon Offshore investigating potential illegal customs payment

Horizon Offshore investigating potential illegal customs payment    Horizon Offshore Inc., a Houston-based provider of marine construction services for the offshore oil and gas industry, said today that an internal review revealed that one of its subsidiaries possibly authorized an improper $35,000 payment to a customs official in a Latin American country.
   The alleged payment relates to the importation of construction equipment.
   Horizon Offshore has notified the Securities and Exchange Commission and engaged an outside counsel to fully investigate if there has been a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, including whether the payment was accurately recorded in its accounts. The company said that it has already started disciplinary action against several of its employees.
   “Horizon takes this matter very seriously and will not tolerate improper conduct at any level. We are working as quickly as possible to complete our internal investigation, and intend to cooperate fully with the SEC to ensure an expeditious resolution of this matter,” said David W. Sharp, Horizon Offshore’s president and chief executive officer.
   There is no relationship between Horizon Offshore and Horizon Lines, the Charlotte, N.C.-based carrier.