Cisco SEC filing: Unable to reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any for Cisco Brazilian subsidiary

It appears the October 2007 tax fraud investigation of Cisco by Brazilian authorities regarding an alleged evasion of $830 million in taxes is still simmering. According to Cisco's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:

"Brazilian authorities are investigating the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary and certain of its current and former employees, as well as a Brazilian importer of the Company’s products, and its affiliates and employees, relating to the allegation of evading import taxes and other alleged improper transactions involving the subsidiary and the importer. The Company is conducting a thorough review of the matter. In December 2008, Brazilian authorities asserted claims against the Company for calendar year 2003 and the Company believes claims may also be asserted for calendar year 2004 through calendar year 2007. The Company believes the asserted claims are without merit and intends to defend the claims vigorously. The Company is unable to determine the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome on any potential further claims against it. While the Company believes there is no legal basis for its alleged liability, due to the complexities and uncertainty surrounding the judicial process in Brazil, and the nature of the claims asserting joint liability with the importer, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any. In addition, the Company is investigating the allegations regarding improper transactions, the Company has proactively communicated with United States authorities to provide information and report on its findings, and the United States authorities are currently investigating such allegations."

In the filing, Cisco admits Brazilian authorities have asserted claims against it for 2003 and expects further claims for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Below, view a document describing the investigation from the Federal Court of Sao Paulo that has been translated from Portuguese:

Unable to reasonably estimate a range of loss sounds rather foreboding to me, what's your take?

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• Cisco
• LANs / WANs
• Brazilian authorities are investigating the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary and certain of its current and former employees
• Brazilian authorities asserted claims against the Company for calendar year 2003 and the Company believes claims may also be asserted for calendar year 2004 through calendar year 2007
• Brazilian importer of the Company’s products
• Cisco admits Brazilian authorities have asserted claims against it for 2003 and expects further claims for 2004
• Cisco's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Document describing the investigation from the Federal Court of Sao Paulo
• Due to the complexities and uncertainty surrounding the judicial process in Brazil
• October 2007 tax fraud investigation of Cisco by Brazilian authorities regarding an alleged evasion of $830 million in taxes is still simmering