Did workers bribe clients?

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

How far will a salesperson go to make a commission?

Federal prosecutors alleged Tuesday that seven salespeople paid their clients kickbacks, in the form of gift certificates, so they could enjoy inflated commissions and sales.

Thirteen people, including seven current and former sales agents with Des Plaines-based Lawson Products and some of their customers, were charged in the scheme. Salespeople were accused of handing out $140,000 in kickbacks to customers, which included suburban municipalities, school districts, a nonprofit organization and private businesses.

Lawson products and a subsidiary, Drummond American Corp., used Winners Choice gift certificates, which can be redeemed at any of a number of stores, to secure contracts. Salespeople allegedly used the gift certificates as a form of kickbacks, federal authorities allege, with the thought that they were less traceable than cash.

Imagine that.