Johnson Controls, a diversified technology and industrial services provider, this week entered into a $14.4 million settlement with the SEC to resolve violations of the books and records and internal controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with respect to the company’s operations in China. JCI’s quick response, however, resulted in a declination with the Department of Justice.

Jaclyn Jaeger is a freelance contributor to Compliance Week after working for the company for 15 years. She writes on a wide variety of topics, including ethics and compliance, risk management, legal,...