GOL announces Notice to the Market
São Paulo, April 20, 2018 - GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. ("GLAI" or "Company"), (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4), comments on reports in the Brazilian media regarding its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation.
While it is long-standing GOL policy not to publicly comment on media rumors, the allegations require that the Company address the publication in a responsible and detailed manner.
GOL has since late 2016 disclosed in all of its financial statements and reports filed with its regulators, including in its Form 20-F filed with SEC, that, in 2016, it received inquiries from Brazilian tax authorities regarding certain payments to firms that turned out to be owned by politically exposed persons in Brazil. Following an internal investigation, GOL engaged U.S. and Brazilian legal counsel to conduct an external independent investigation to ascertain the facts with regard to these and any other payments identified as irregular and to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of its internal control and compliance programs in light of the findings of the investigation.
In summary of the previously disclosed facts, GOL reaffirms the following:
In December 2016, GOL entered into a leniency agreement with the Brazilian Federal Public Ministry, under which it agreed to pay R$12.0 million in fines and to make improvements to its compliance program. In addition, GOL paid R$4.2 million in fines to the Brazilian tax authorities related to the above-mentioned payments.
GOL voluntarily informed the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC and the CVM of the external independent investigation and the leniency agreement.
The external independent investigation was concluded in April 2017.
GOL reported the conclusions of the investigation to the relevant authorities and will maintain them informed of any developments, as well as cooperate with them in their inquiries.
There have been no changes to any of the above described facts or any of the other facts regarding this matter previously disclosed in the Company public filings, including its 20-F.