[1/2] Sharpie markers owned by Newell Brands are seen for sale in a store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Newell Brands Inc FollowWASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday charged Newell Brands (NWL.O) and former CEO Michael Polk with misleading investors about sales. In a settlement, Newell and Polk, without admitting or denying the SEC findings, agreed to pay civil penalties of $12.5 million and $110,000, respectively, the SEC said in a statement. Newell pulled sales forward into earlier quarters without adequate disclosure and used accounting practices that were not consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the SEC order said. These actions made the company's core sales growth look as if it was in line with its targets and deprived investors of an accurate picture of Newell's actual sales trends, it said.

---

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Newell, Michael Polk, Polk, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Newell Brands, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Newell, Georgia, Polk