It is important to shine the light on government actions.  The Justice Department’s record on FCPA enforcement is one area where sunlight is desperately needed. The FCPA applies to payments of money or any other thing of value to foreign officials with corrupt intent.  The FCPA does not apply to payments of money or any other things of value to private individuals with corrupt intent. ...

U.S. companies that bridge the Atlantic Ocean to become active in Europe not only face a completely different set of business rules but most importantly — increased risk of FCPA prosecution.  Gaining a presence in in the European market or fending off competitors in competition in that market requires creativity in dealing both with tenders by local authorities as well as demands of decision makers.  It requires close cooperation...

Happy 4th to Everyone!! We are half way through 2011.  For FCPA followers, the question is whether this year will be another year of enforcement “fireworks” or a “dud”? There are some trends which cannot be ignored. 1.  The Justice Department is working on the biggest FCPA case ever!!  The case will make Siemens look like a misdemeanor. 2.  The Justice Department is using a wiretap to...

The recent Raj Rajartnam verdict demonstrated that wiretap evidence is compelling evidence against defendants.  No wonder prosecutors will use more and more wiretaps to build white collar cases. Let’s brush aside one issue — wiretaps to investigated white collar crimes will rarely, if ever, be prohibited as a matter of law under current statutes.  Wiretapping is authorized for wire fraud and almost every white collar...

It is hard to move businesses in different directions.  I like to use the analogy of turning a ship around — it takes time, dedication and a steady hand. Corporate governance is shifting again.  We had the revolution of Sarbanes-Oxley in the early 2000s and now we have a new movement afoot.  It is no coincidence that aggressive changes in white collar enforcement coincide with...

With the UK Bribery Act becoming effective in less than 24 hours, companies are holding their breath.  Will the SFO seek to make a splash by arresting individuals with perp walks on camera?  Or will the SFO quietly but methodically build its caseload, and assert is enforcement position as a major player in the anti-corruption area? Part of the problem in answering these basic questions...

The  longest pre-game show in history is drawing to a close.  The new world will shortly be upon us.  Will the UK Bribery Act be a game-changer or will it fizzle out like Y2K? Everyone has their predictions; everyone has their focus and emphasis. The critical issue in my view is prosecutorial discretion.  Criminal laws can be interpreted, stretched and designed to fit to a...

As companies prepare for the upcoming effective date of the UK Bribery Act, a new shot was heard around the world — Canada has now entered into the global anti-corruption world with an enforcement action of its own. Canada has been the subject of international criticism for failing to enforce its Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) since its enactment in 1991.  The CFPOA...

We all tend to become focused on the details of anti-corruption enforcement and compliance. But for Board members and senior management, the focus has to be more holistic – some people like fancy terms such as “risk governance,” but common sense defines it as a “holistic” approach to compliance. We all know the risks and the impact that enforcement actions can have on a company...

Even bloggers need a break once in a while.  My wife and I are in Sicily in her native city of Marsala.  Turquoise waters, delicious cuisines and magnificent sites. Of course, we have visited her 100+ relatives and are attending a beautiful wedding tomorrow. The Italian economy has been hit hard by the war in Libya, reducing trade and international access to markets.  Unfortunately, the media does not cover...