You have to give the Justice Department credit – they are crafty and can be very politically astute. The Justice Department played a very subtle political game with the Morgan Stanley settlement. You have to give them credit for how they used the case to make a point. The Justice Department wanted to show everyone that they can be reasonable, credit a corporate compliance program,...
The Marx Brothers have always been my favorite. Even today, their movies stand out as the best. One of Groucho’s best lines is particularly apt to FCPA reform. In A Day at the Races (1937), Groucho passed himself off as Dr. Hackenbush, a doctor rather than a horse doctor, and quipped while taking Harpo’s pulse — “Either he’s dead or my watch has stopped.” The same can be...
Corruption Crime & Compliance welcomes Patrick Kellermann from LeClairRyan who authored this post. Patrick’s biography is located here. For the past decade, money has poured into green businesses and its support industries. But remember, DOJ and SEC enforcement follows the money. This brings to mind the age-old adage, summarized well by Christopher Wallace: more money, more problems. It should come as no surprise that environmental...
It is surprising how little attention is paid to the issue of monitoring an anti-corruption compliance program. I guess implementing a compliance program is like finishing a painting – you stand back and marvel at your accomplishment. In reality, compliance is always a continuous process. Once you think you are finished, it is time to start all over again. Your starting point for all compliance...
If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kyxhя (Russian for “kitchen”) When discussing business opportunities in Russia, the prevailing message seems to be, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This take it or leave it attitude was certainly true in the past but recent events suggest that maybe, just maybe, the tables are turning. Armed with an...
The SEC’s whistleblower program is under heat from Congress over an allegation that it allegedly disclosed the identity of an SEC whistleblower. The allegations are making political headway on Capitol Hill but that may be all that happens – a closer look at the claim shows that it has little merit. But the recent flap over the SEC Whistleblower program is an important reminder that...
FCPA practitioners like to focus their attention on “sexy” compliance issues. Internal controls are rarely discussed. It can be a mind-numbing topic. When it comes down to it, internal financial controls are the most important protection against bribes (and fraud). A company with effective internal controls is taking an important step in deterring illegal payments. Two key components of internal controls are: (1) travel and...
In case anyone has noticed, the sky has not fallen. The UK Bribery Act has not lead to the downfall of global business. In fact, here is a profound grasp of the obvious — the UK Bribery Act really has not had much of an impact at all. I am not criticizing the professionals at the Serious Fraud Office, but they have a tough job...
The American public may not listen very closely to what Congress has to say but the Department of Justice has listened — and is continuing to listen. The question from Congress has been very consistent — why is DOJ not prosecuting individuals for criminal FCPA violations? Starting in late 2011, DOJ responded to Congress, and is getting set to speak even louder on this issue. ...
Recent events surrounding FCPA enforcement have reminded everyone that DOJ’s so-called “set-backs” were only temporary, if any at all. The FCPA paparazzi will be sure to exaggerate and overplay “trends” and recent enforcement actions. It is hard to really assess FCPA enforcement trends. FCPA cases take a long time from an initial voluntary disclosure to a settlement. In between are twists and turns, an internal...
