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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases, primarily for real property that have noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016, are as follows:
Years ending December 31 | (In thousands)
2017 | $ | 68,287 |
2018 | 58,039 |
2019 | 45,214 |
2020 | 33,886 |
2021 | 23,397 |
Thereafter | 49,665 |
Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $76.7 million, $70.7 million and $63.2 million, respectively. From time to time, a number of lawsuits and claims have been or may be asserted against WESCO relating to the conduct of its business, including routine litigation relating to commercial and employment matters. The outcomes of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and some lawsuits may be determined adversely to WESCO. However, management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of any such pending matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on WESCO’s financial condition or liquidity, although the resolution in any fiscal period of one or more of these matters may have a material adverse effect on WESCO’s results of operations for that period. WESCO is subject to the laws and regulations of states and other jurisdictions concerning the identification, reporting and escheatment (the transfer of property to the state) of unclaimed or abandoned funds, and is subject to audit and examination for compliance with these requirements. WESCO Distribution is currently undergoing a compliance audit in the State of Delaware concerning the identification, reporting and escheatment of unclaimed or abandoned property. A third party auditor is conducting the audit on behalf of the State, and the Company has been working with an outside consultant during the audit process and in discussions with the auditors. The Company is defending the audit, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with certainty at this time. After the third party auditor completes its field work, it is expected to issue preliminary findings for review by the Company and the State, and thereafter the auditor is expected to issue a final report of examination. If the Company and State do not reach resolution after further discussion, the State may issue a demand for payment, which the Company may either agree to pay or appeal, in full or in part. The Company has recorded a liability for unclaimed property based on the facts currently known to the Company. In October 2014, WESCO was notified that the New York County District Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal investigation involving minority and disadvantaged business contracting practices in the construction industry in New York City and that various contractors, minority and disadvantaged business firms, and their material suppliers, including the Company, are a part of this investigation. The Company intends to cooperate with the government investigation. The Company cannot predict the outcome or impact of the matter at this time, but could be subject to fines, penalties or other adverse consequences. Based on the facts currently known to the Company, it cannot reasonably estimate a range of exposure to potential liability at this time.

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