Featured Articles:

The Power and Reward of Cooperation: Binance Founder CZ Sentenced to 4 Months Imprisonment

Defendants often face a tough choice — challenge the government’s evidence and if convicted, face significant jail time.  On the flip side, defendants who plead guilty and cooperate can earn significant sentencing reductions, even avoiding any jail time. The contrast between cooperating and non-cooperating defendants can be very stark. Samuel Bankman-Fried or “SBF” was convicted after a lengthy trial.  He was convicted of a massive...

BIS Releases Updated Guidance for Freight Forwarders

On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) released updated guidance to freight forwarders specifically outlining their responsibilities under the aegis of the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). Issued in the wake of BIS’s Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy, the new guidance underscores the critical role freight forwarders play in preventing the flow of illegal exports to...

Quarterly Trade Compliance Update – April 2024

Each quarter, we send many of our clients a quarterly trade compliance update, highlighting important developments over the last few months and summarizing key points for important sanctions programs. Click here to download the quarterly update for April. Below is a summary of events this past quarter: About the document: This handy one-pager is designed to be used by our clients to provide a quick...

Episode 319 — Deep Dive into SCG Plastics $20 Million Settlement with OFAC to Resolve Violations of Iran Sanctions Program

OFAC is capable of extending a long-arm of enforcement, reaching sometimes non-U.S. companies that may “cause” another company to violate U.S. Sanctions laws.  If you need to find an example of this long reach, look no further than OFAC’s recent settlement with SCG Plastics (“SCG”), in which SCG, a Thailand company, which sells plastic resins, agreed to pay $20 million for violations of the Iran...

DOJ Charges Ten Individuals for Violating Venezuelan Sanctions

On April 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of 10 Venezuelan individuals for conspiring to violate the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (“IEEPA”). According to the DOJ, the individuals conspired to decade U.S. sanctions imposed on Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (“PDVSA”) in January 2019. In April 2024, one of the defendants was arrested upon arrival at Miami’s internal Airport.  The Violations...

NIST Adopts New 2.0 Cybersecurity Framework

In the absence of federal cybersecurity and data privacy laws, companies have to look to other sources of guidance, including industry standards, and state laws.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) has sought to fill some of the large gaps on the issue of cybersecurity.  Enforcement agencies often cite the NIST Framework as an important barometer of an organization’s commitment to cybersecurity risks...

New BIS Rule Implementing AUKUS Effectuates Sweeping Changes to Dual Use Export Controls

On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) published an interim final rule (“IFR”) that officially codifies certain changes to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) precipitated by the United States’ participation in the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (“AUKUS”) Trilateral Security Partnership. Announced in September 2021, AUKUS is intended to enhance the overall defense capabilities of each participating...

DOJ Heralds New Voluntary Self-Disclosure Program for Individuals

By: Daniela Melendez, Associate at The Volkov Law Group, and Alex Cotoia, Regulatory Compliance Manager. Daniela can be reached at [email protected] and Alex can be reached out at [email protected]. On April 15, 2024 Nicole Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and the Head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DOJ’s”) Criminal Division, announced a new voluntary self-disclosure program for individuals complicit in certain types of organized...

briqven factory in ciudad guayana in venezuela

La Oficina de Control de Activos (OFAC) no renovó la licencia 44 y en consecuencia se revoca el alivio de Sanciones a Venezuela

El 17 de abril de 2024, la OFAC revocó formalmente el alivio de sanciones que anteriormente había proporcionado a la industria petrolera y de gas en Venezuela. Mediante la licencia 44 la OFAC había proporcionado un alivio de sanciones a Venezuela en condición de que el gobierno de Venezuela organizara unas elecciones libres y justas. Debido al incumplimiento del gobierno de Venezuela, la OFAC revocó...

Episode 318 — LRN’s Recent Study Underscores Importance of Ethical Culture and Values-Based Leadership

LRN continues to set the standard for ethics and compliance program research.  Volkov Law is  a supporter of, and advocate for, LRN’s research because it has consistently confirmed what we all know and believe — ethical companies perform better in the marketplace over the long run.  It is an intuitive fact that employees respond better to values-based leadership than a rules-based environment and culture.  Volkov...