LONDON — A firm that Visa asked to investigate WikiLeaks' finances has found no proof the group's fundraising arm is breaking the law in its home base of Iceland, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press.
But Visa Europe Ltd. said Wednesday it would continue blocking donations to the secret-spilling site until it completes its own investigation.
Company spokeswoman Amanda Kamin said she couldn't say when Visa's inquiry, now stretching into its eighth week, would be finished.
Visa was one of several U.S. companies that cut its ties with WikiLeaks after it began publishing a massive trove of secret U.S. diplomatic memos late last year. U.S. officials have accused the site of putting U.S. national security at risk.
The Norway-based financial services company Teller AS, which Visa ordered to investigate WikiLeaks and its fundraising body, the Sunshine Press, found no proof that the website was engaged in wrongdoing, according to a letter written by Teller's chief executive Peter Wiren.
"Our lawyers have now completed their work and have found no indications that Sunshine Press ... act in contravention of Visa's rules or Icelandic legislation," the letter said.
The two-page document, whose authenticity was confirmed by Teller, was addressed to an Icelandic lawmaker and dated Dec. 30, 2010.
In the letter, Wiren said his company stood ready to process donations to WikiLeaks — but only if Visa gave the go-ahead.