Las Vegas Sands agreed to pay a nearly $7 million criminal penalty to resolve the government's investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with business transactions in the People's Republic of China and Macao. The company paid a total of $5.8 million to the consultant without any discernible legitimate business purpose. The company will continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and prosecutions related to the case and has agreed to enhance its compliance program. The company was also subject to a Securities and Exchange Commission cease and desist order and on April 7 of 2016 it agreed to pay a civil penalty related to that of around $9 million.