Category: General

General

26 Nov, 2021

Boeing’s Board Governance Failures and the 737 MAX Safety Scandal (Part III of IV)

In its decision, the Chancery Court methodically analyzed the weaknesses in Boeing’s board processes and its fundamental failure to meet basic Caremark standards in tackling airplane safety issues, particularly after the Lion Air crash in 2018. First, the Board did not implement or prioritize safety oversight at the “highest level of the corporate pyramid.”  None of Boeing’s Board committees were specifically assigned responsibility for overseeing...

General

24 Nov, 2021

The Delaware Court’s Decision Highlights Boeing’s Defective Corporate Culture and Board Governance Failures (Part II of IV)

When considered in light of the Chancery Court’s decision, DOJ’s essential findings in its Boeing investigation are problematic at best.  The Chancery Court’s decision outlines how Boeing’s culture of safety deteriorated into a culture of cost-cutting and profits, while under supervision of a board with star-studded credentials.  The Delaware Court’s decision provides a perfect example of how weak corporate governance can have a direct and...

General

23 Nov, 2021

A Tale of Two Boeing Boards — The Disparate Conclusions of the Justice Department and the Delaware Chancery Court (Part I of IV)

“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”― Albert Einstein “Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”― John Lennon We often hear about how perspective can influence conclusions. It is rare, however, when it comes to investigations, legal proceedings, and litigation for two separate but important fact finders to reach polar opposite conclusions. When I reviewed again the US Department of Justice’s conclusions reached as...

General

23 Nov, 2021

Dubai Bank Pays $100 Million to Resolve Sanctions Violations with DFS, OFAC and Federal Reserve

Mashreqbank, based in Dubai, agreed to pay $100 million to the New York Department of Financial Services, the Federal Reserve, and the Office of Foreign Asset Control for violation of the now-repealed Sudan Sanctions Regulations.  The Sudan Sanctions Regulations were repealed on June 29, 2018. OFAC issued only a Finding of Violation, rather than impose a civil penalty, in light of Mashreqbank’s willingness to agree...

General

18 Nov, 2021

A Recent Report Card on Board Diversity

For all the hype about ESG, board accountability, stakeholder demands for diversity and inclusion, a recent report on board diversity shows little change.  That is not surprising.  The forces of resistance to change are particularly strong, especially when directed at corporate boards.  What is surprising is how resistance clings to practices that directly undermine efficiency and financial profitability.  Board diversity improves governance performance and that...

General

18 Nov, 2021

DOJ Battles Ransomware Attacks

The Justice Department continues to attack and dismantle global ransomware extortion organizations.  Business surveys often confirm that executives are hyper-focused on the risk of ransomware attacks against businesses. Interestingly, government regulators have focused on ransomware scenarios to ensure that regulatory restrictions on sanctions and other restrictions are not violated.  The message behind DOJ and regulatory interests is clear – if attacked, notify law enforcement right...

General

17 Nov, 2021

Supply Chain Disruption and Onboarding Due Diligence

If I ever told you years ago that the 2021 headlines would be dominated by the “supply chain” crisis, you would have immediately questioned my judgment (and perhaps sanity).  The current crisis reflects the roller coaster economic impact of the pandemic. If there ever was a global disruption of severe magnitude, we have been through it.  We have all had experience in managing disruptions and...

General

16 Nov, 2021

Important Planning and Design Steps in Targeted Employee Survey Program (Part II of II)

A targeted employee survey program requires careful planning and communications prior to launching the survey program. Employee engagement in response to a specific survey requires transparent and robust explanations and assurances. In the absence of appropriate communications and assurances, employee response rates may decline. Employees have to understand why the survey is being conducted, whether anonymity will be protected, and how the results will be...

General

15 Nov, 2021

Monitoring and Measuring A Company’s Ethical Culture: Relevant Survey Strategies (Part I of II)

Chief compliance officers play a key role in managing a company’s ethical culture. Most companies fail to pay proper attention to its culture because it is difficult to define, measure and monitor. Such an approach is short-sighted. CCOs have to embrace this issue and develop appropriate techniques to measure a company’s culture. All too often I observe companies that rely on annual or semi-annual company-wide...

black and red caliper on gold colored bitcoin

General

12 Nov, 2021

What to Know About the DOJ’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team

Matt Stankiewicz, Partner at The Volkov Law Group, rejoins us to discuss the DOJ’s cryptocurrency enforcement efforts.  He can be reached at mstankiewicz@volkovlaw.com. In early October, U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the creation of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (“NCET”).  The NCET will handle the Department’s investigations and enforcement actions relating to cryptocurrency and virtual assets, which has seen...

Follow:

Michael Volkov JD Supra Readers Choice Top Author 2020  America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys 2012® Recipient Award Volkov Law Group Click Here

Watch The Latest Webinars on Volkov Law TV

watch-video-button

Subscribe to Corruption, Crime & Compliance

More

The Road Ahead

A Return to Common Sense

Pointing the Finger

Pointing the Finger

Moving the Goalposts

Moving the Goalposts