The pandemic and its impact is the story of 2020 – no doubt.  Federal prosecutors and regulatory enforcement agencies faced unprecedented challenges. In the face of these challenges,  however, enforcement almost across the board continued with some significant exceptions relating to individual criminal enforcement.  Prosecutors faced almost impossible obstacles to convening grand juries and conducting court proceedings while the deadly pandemic raged. Despite the challenges...

The Justice Department and OFAC announced a settlement with Essentra FZE Company Limited (“Essentra FZE”), a cigarette filter and tear tape manufacturer, for violation of the North Korea Sanctions Program.  The violations were based on payments for goods that were received by a foreign branch of a U.S. bank.  Essentra FZE, a UAE company, manufactures and sells cigarette filters and tear tape for customers in...