Several members of Congress have been implicated in potential insider trading scandals stemming from stock transactions that occurred at the beginning of COVID-19 crisis before the major stock market decline.  As reported by the press, members of Congress were regularly being briefed on the implications of the spreading virus.  Some of the members were making public statements discounting the significance of the virus. Senators Kelly...

The Antitrust Division’s recent indictment of the boiler chicken executives provided an important reminder to compliance officers on the importance of an effective antitrust compliance program.  With last year’s Guidance on Antitrust Compliance, DOJ has provided a roadmap for compliance officers to design and implement an effective compliance program.  Executive Level Participation and C-Suite Risk Assessment:  As described in the indictment, the price-fixing and bid-rigging...

The recent indictment of four executives involved in a long-running price-fixing scheme among broiler chicken suppliers provides an important window into how such conspiracies work and evade detection.  Antitrust compliance programs have to be crafted with appropriate consideration of industry concentration and practices, attendant risks, and effective monitoring and audit programs. Broiler chickens are supplied to grocers, restaurants and cooperatives.  Some fast-food restaurants participate in...

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division recently announced the indictment in Colorado federal court of four executives from two chicken producer companies for participation in a long-running price-fixing and bid-rigging conspiracy. The indictment charges Jayson Penn, president and CEO of Colorado-based Pilgrim’s Pride, and former Vice President Roger Austin, and Georgia-based poultry producer Claxton Poultry’s President Mikell Fries and Scott Brady, a Claxton Poultry Vice President. ...

In response to an increase in deceptive shipping practices, on May 14, 2020, the State Department, Treasury Department and the Coast Guard issued a warning to the maritime industry, and those involved in the energy and metals sectors, concerning deceptive shipping practices used to evade sanctions.  The focus of concerns appears to be actors seeking to circumvent  sanctions against Iran, North Korea and Syria. The...

We all use dramatic language to present important ideas – and one that I always cite – “A fish rots from its head down.”  The meaning of this well-known phrase is clear in the corporate culture context – an organization with “rotten” leadership will inevitably perform poorly and managers and employees will likely engage in misconduct.  The often-used phrase of “tone at the top” is...

DOJ’s revised Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Program Guidance (“DOJ Guidance”) is yet another reminder on how far compliance has evolved and the path forward.  Compliance programs have to incorporate real-time monitoring, rapid data analysis, emphasis on corporate culture and organizational justice build on employee engagement, prompt investigations and consistent discipline.  A compliance program is like a shark – it has to keep moving and evolving. ...

Let’s face it – DOJ’s revised Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Program Guidance reflects an attempt (although an important one) by DOJ’s leadership to catch up with the compliance industry.  In recent years, I have argued that the compliance industry is rapidly eclipsing DOJ Guidance and expectations for the compliance industry. As more professionals enter the compliance industry, and as spending by companies increase on compliance...

The Justice Department’s revised Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Program Guidance (“DOJ Guidance”) was released with little fanfare.  It is difficult to find the press release that accompanied the release.  No one at DOJ flagged the issue in advance of the release.  No speech or event accompanied the release.  All was relatively quiet from the DOJ front. Do not be fooled by the relative silence of...

DOJ is catching up to compliance officers and evolving best practices.  Say what you want, DOJ is behind the curve of the compliance industry.  But you have to give DOJ credit – they are moving quickly to update its Guidance.  Compliance is a fast-moving profession – innovation and technology continue to define the industry.  Compliance officers are willing to embrace change and the industry is...