Metro

City pols in Wal Mex vex

Reports that Walmart bribed Mexican officials gave new ammunition yesterday to local mayoral hopefuls opposed to the chain coming here.

“The corporation’s tactics of bribery, scheming and corruption are the latest in a litany of despicable business practices,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer called again for Walmart to be shut out after The New York Times yesterday reported that the company paid more than $24 million in bribes to get quick permits to build stores.

De Blasio said the city “cannot open its doors to a company that sanctions bribery.”

City Controller John Liu said “the report suggests a willful disregard for legal and ethical compliance at the highest levels of the corporation.”

Stuart Appelbaum, the president of Retail, Wholesale and department Store Union, compared Walmart’s lobbying in New York City to the widespread bribing in Mexico.

“These so-called donations and contributions have been the core of Walmart’s campaign to break into this coveted urban market…New Yorkers have a right to know what Walmart has done and spent to buy its way into the city.”

Appelbaum is calling on Walmart to disclose all spending in its campaign to get into New York.

Walmart has said it is investigating the allegation.

“We take compliance with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act very seriously and are committed to having a strong and effective global anti-corruption program in every country in which we operate,” said Walmart spokesman David Tovar.

“We are deeply concerned by these allegations and are working aggressively to determine what happened.”