Schering-Plough to Settle Poland Probe

Schering-Plough Corp. agreed to pay a $500,000 fine to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission allegations that the company’s Polish subsidiary violated a U.S. law banning bribes.

Schering-Plough, based in Kenilworth, N.J., agreed to the civil penalty without admitting or denying violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the SEC said. The SEC alleged that Schering-Plough’s Polish subsidiary made improper payments to a charitable organization to win business.