Podcasts about Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Host Professor J.W. Verret interviews Pete Tomczak, global head of investigations at Baker McKenzie, about the current state of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act practice in the wake of the new administration's pause. We discuss the real world FCPA case of US v. Lawrence Hoskins, a defendant who was acquitted in a case that went to trial and saw multiple appellate decisions that demonstrates a tendency for federal overreach in FCPA matters.

In our final episode, Matt Kelly of Radical Compliance helps us make sense of the recent executive order that paused enforcement of the  Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Funny enough, it does not in fact mean you can bribe anyone, Matt warns. While you couldn't bribe us to make more episodes of Off the Books, you can definitely check out seven seasons' worth of past episodes at workiva.com/off-the-books-podcast. Follow the Workiva channel to catch the next podcast that Off the Books producer Mike Gravagno is cooking up next.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act goes back decades. It prohibits U.S. companies from bribing officials of other countries for contracts. Even if corruption is the norm in that country. Now the Trump administration says it's not enforcing the FCPA. For what this means, we turn to an attorney who's an expert in this law, Cadwalader partner Martin Weinstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act goes back decades. It prohibits U.S. companies from bribing officials of other countries for contracts. Even if corruption is the norm in that country. Now the Trump administration says it's not enforcing the FCPA. For what this means, we turn to an attorney who's an expert in this law, Cadwalader partner Martin Weinstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Syriana is a 2005 geopolitical thriller written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, based loosely on former CIA case officer Robert Baer's memoir, See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism. The film weaves together multiple storylines that involve a CIA agent, a U.S. energy analyst, a major transnational law firm, and an oil-rich Persian Gulf kingdom. It tackles complex themes of corruption, power, and terrorism from a distinctly post-9/11 vantage point. The film also suggests how law operates in transnational settings and how it seeks—but often fails—to tame the forces of ambition, greed, and power that drive the oil industry and America's role in it. Joining me to talk about Syriana is Margaret (Peggy) McGuinness, a professor at St. John's University School of Law and a leading scholar of international law.  Timestamps: 0:00      Introduction 3:00      The context and setting 5:24      The film's multiple storylines8:28      Former CIA agent Robert Baer and the George Clooney character 19:22     Capital markets and energy derivatives25:26    Big oil in the early 2000s and today 28:28    Big law and the Jeffrey Wright character33:43   DOJ's investigation 37:14     The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 42:40    The illusion of due diligence 47:40    Radicalization 53:06   Gulf monarchs 55:10    Targeted assassinations 1:01:14  The next movie: big tech and AI 1:01:52  The outcome  Further reading: Alyson, Brusie et al., “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” 61 Am. Crim. L. Rev. 713 (2024) Baer, Robert, See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism (Crown, 2003) Cohen, Kfir, “Narrating the global: pedagogy and disorientation in ‘Syriana,'” Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media Lewis, R. James & Awan, Akil N. eds. Radicalization: A Global and Comparative Perspective (Oxford Univ. Press, 2024) Stiglitz, Jospeh E., Globalization and Its Discontents (W. W. Norton & Co. 2002)  Law on Film is created and produced by Jonathan Hafetz. Jonathan is a professor at Seton Hall Law School. He has written many books and articles about the law. He has litigated important cases to protect civil liberties and human rights while working at the ACLU and other organizations. Jonathan is a huge film buff and has been watching, studying, and talking about movies for as long as he can remember. For more information about Jonathan, here's a link to his bio: https://law.shu.edu/profiles/hafetzjo.htmlYou can contact him at jonathanhafetz@gmail.comYou can follow him on X (Twitter) @jonathanhafetz You can follow the podcast on X (Twitter) @LawOnFilmYou can follow the podcast on Instagram @lawonfilmpodcast

In this episode of Whistleblower of the Week, host Jane Turner speaks with Stephen M. Kohn, co-Founder and Board Chairman of National Whistleblower Center and leading whistleblower attorney. On February 10th, President Trump halted enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) in an Executive Order, arguing the move would aid American business abroad. Listen to Kohn and Turner discuss how this decision will impact American business and whistleblowers reporting bribery, corruption, and collusion. On March 13th, Kohn published an article, “Crippling the FCPA is Bad Business for the U.S” in the NYU Compliance and Enforcement Blog. He highlights his recent research which illustrates how FCPA enforcement primarily targets foreign companies, with monetary sanctions against foreign companies far outpacing sanctions against U.S-based companies. National Whistleblower Center has launched a campaign to call for the resuming of FCPA enforcements. Take action today by contacting your Representatives and Senators.  Listen to the podcast on WNN or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Amazon. Subscribe on your favorite platform!

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been a mainstay of corporate culture for the last quarter-century, and has cost companies millions, sometimes even billions, of dollars in fines. And that's before you start counting the lawyers' fees. This law, used to prevent US businesses from engaging in bribery to win foreign business, has seen a major uptick in enforcement over the last 25 years. And, over that period, it has become a major revenue driver for elite law firms. Some say that the law keeps companies honest, and actually benefits corporations by providing them a shield for responding to requests for bribes. But last month President Donald Trump said the law “sounds good on paper but in practicality, it's a disaster.” Trump signed an executive order pausing the initiation of new investigations for 180 days and meanwhile ordering the AG to issue updated guidelines. On the latest episode of On The Merits, leading FCPA practitioner, Martin Weinstein, the chair of Cadwalader's compliance, investigations & enforcement practice, talks about the impacts of a law he calls the “greatest tariff in the US Code” and what it could mean for business if enforcement winds down. And Bloomberg Law reporter Roy Strom discusses the impact on large law firms, which have built premier practices focusing on this law. Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.

This Day in Legal History: 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution On February 27, 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, formally limiting the president to two terms in office. This amendment was a direct response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four-term presidency, which spanned the Great Depression and World War II. Before Roosevelt, no president had served more than two terms, following the precedent set by George Washington. However, there was no constitutional restriction preventing a president from seeking additional terms.  Roosevelt's long tenure raised concerns about excessive executive power and the potential for an elected leader to hold office indefinitely. After his death in 1945, Congress moved to ensure that no future president could serve more than two terms. The amendment was passed by Congress in 1947 and ratified by the required number of states in 1951. It states that no person may be elected president more than twice or serve more than ten years in cases where a vice president assumes the role due to a predecessor's death or resignation.  Since its ratification, the 22nd Amendment has shaped U.S. presidential politics, preventing any leader from holding office for more than eight years. Some have argued that it protects democracy by preventing the concentration of power, while others believe it limits voter choice. Despite occasional calls for repeal, the amendment remains in effect, reinforcing the principle of regular transitions of power.A federal court is scrutinizing the role of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE) in cutting U.S. government spending, raising questions about transparency and legality. At a hearing, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly repeatedly pressed a Justice Department lawyer on Musk's authority but received vague answers. Multiple lawsuits argue that DGE, which operates with secrecy, wields power beyond what is constitutionally allowed for agencies that require congressional approval or Senate confirmation.Despite Musk's public claims of leadership, the White House insists he is not an official DGE employee. Courts have been divided on the issue, with some judges refusing to block DGE's actions due to a lack of clear evidence of immediate harm. However, Judge Jeannette Vargas temporarily restricted DGE's access to Treasury Department systems over concerns about unauthorized data access.The Trump administration's shifting characterizations of DGE—sometimes calling it an agency, other times not—have further complicated legal battles. One judge described it as a “Goldilocks entity,” molded to fit legal needs. While some courts are hesitant to act without stronger evidence, ongoing lawsuits seek to bring DGE's operations into clearer legal scrutiny.'Where is Mr. Musk in all of this?' Judges question secrecy of DOGE's activities | ReutersThe U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought by Marlean Ames, a heterosexual woman who claims she was denied a promotion and later demoted due to her sexual orientation. Ames alleges that in 2019, her gay supervisor promoted a less qualified gay woman and replaced her with a gay man. The case challenges a legal standard that requires plaintiffs from majority groups—such as white or heterosexual individuals—to provide extra evidence of workplace discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Ames' lawyer argued that Title VII protects all individuals from discrimination, not just historically marginalized groups. The state of Ohio, her former employer, countered that Ames had not proven bias, noting that decision-makers may not have even known her sexual orientation. Some justices expressed concern that ruling for Ames could flood the courts with discrimination claims. Others questioned whether the heightened standard for majority-group plaintiffs improperly excludes valid cases.  The case comes amid increasing lawsuits from white and straight workers alleging "reverse discrimination," as well as political pushback against diversity and inclusion programs. A ruling in Ames' favor could make it easier for majority-group plaintiffs to challenge employment decisions, potentially reshaping workplace discrimination law.US Supreme Court hears straight woman's 'reverse' discrimination case | ReutersPresident Donald Trump's decision to designate Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations introduces new legal risks for U.S. businesses and migrants. The February 19 designation applies to groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua, allowing the Justice Department to prosecute cartel leaders for terrorism. However, legal experts warn that U.S. and foreign companies operating in cartel-controlled regions could also face prosecution if they make payments to these organizations, which could be considered material support for terrorism.  This concern is not hypothetical—similar cases have occurred before. In 2022, French cement company Lafarge pleaded guilty and paid $778 million in fines for making payments to terrorist-designated groups in Syria to keep its operations running. Given Mexico's status as the U.S.'s largest trading partner, businesses must reassess their dealings in high-risk areas.  Beyond corporate liability, migrants who pay cartels for border crossings or send money to cartel-influenced regions could also be prosecuted. Additionally, drug-related offenses linked to designated cartels could carry harsher penalties, including a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for narcoterrorism—double the usual drug trafficking penalty. The designation thus has sweeping implications for both corporate compliance and immigration enforcement.Trump's terrorist label for cartels raises prosecution risks for companies | ReutersIn a piece I wrote for Forbes, I review the latest misguided foray into tech policy from the Trump administration. The White House has issued a memorandum condemning foreign digital services taxes (DSTs), arguing that they unfairly target American tech companies. The memo warns that unless these taxes are repealed, retaliatory tariffs will be imposed. However, this stance appears to protect Big Tech rather than uphold economic fairness, as these taxes exist to counter profit-shifting tactics that allow tech giants to avoid local taxation. The U.S. frequently applies its own extraterritorial laws, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the CLOUD Act, yet objects when other countries enforce similar policies on American firms.The memorandum frames the issue as an attack on U.S. businesses, but every country has the right to tax corporations operating within its borders. DSTs primarily ensure that companies pay taxes where they generate revenue rather than in low-tax havens. The U.S. position ignores the broader global tax landscape and the rationale behind these policies, opting instead to shield Silicon Valley from accountability.If the U.S. enacts tariffs in response, it could trigger a trade war that harms American farmers, manufacturers, and consumers while preserving Big Tech's profits. The memorandum's real purpose seems to be maintaining an uneven playing field where American firms operate abroad without the same obligations as local businesses.Big Tech Protection: U.S. Picks A Trade Fight To Defend Tech Firms This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

The directive sent from acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove to drop the corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams has hit a fever pitch, so hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord use the bulk of this episode to break down this evolving story and what has come to light so far. They tick through how this standoff between federal prosecutors and the DOJ's directive has led to a slew of resignations, and what to watch for as Judge Dale Ho calls for a Wednesday hearing on the matter in Manhattan.  Andrew and Mary then take a beat to preview the first Supreme Court test of Trump's executive power, over his attempt to fire Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, without cause. (Note: this office is an independent watchdog agency- not part of DOJ). And they wind up this episode by highlighting allegations from whistleblowers that Kash Patel, Trump's nominee to head the FBI, has been directing the firing of senior officials at the FBI.Further reading: Here is Andrew's piece in Just Security: The People of New York v. Mayor Adams: Will Manhattan DA Bragg Come to the Rescue Yet Again?Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The zealously anti-regulatory Trump is back and anti-corruption activist Frank Vogl is very worried. Vogl warns that MAGA's increasingly deregulated America financial landscape could make the 2008 crash look like a minor bump in the economic road. With Trump putting the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on "pause" and DOGE kingpin Elon Musk openly dreaming of turning X into a bank, we're watching traditional financial regulation shrivel to the minimal levels of Calvin Coolidge's 1920's. Meanwhile, Melania is launching crypto tokens, Putin's kleptocracy has been legitimized by the Ukraine “peace” negotiations, and the increasingly unaccountable banks are begging to gamble with our money again. What could possibly go wrong? Here are the five KEEN ON takeaways from this conversation with Frank Vogl:* Financial Deregulation Concerns - Frank Vogl warns that Trump's administration is actively dismantling financial regulations, including pausing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and weakening the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He fears this deregulation could lead to a financial crisis potentially worse than 2008.* Three-Pronged Financial Risk - Vogl identifies three interconnected areas of concern:* Traditional banks seeking reduced capital requirements and fewer restrictions* Unregulated expansion of Silicon Valley firms (like X/Twitter) into banking* The growing crypto market and its potential for money laundering and speculation* Regulatory Enforcement Weakening - The Trump administration is systematically weakening regulatory agencies by appointing anti-regulation leaders and reducing staff (e.g., the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation lost 500 staff). This reduction in oversight capacity could enable financial abuse and fraud.* International Corruption Implications - The suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and potential lifting of Russian sanctions could create a vacuum in global anti-corruption enforcement, as no other country (including the UK or Switzerland) is positioned to take over America's leadership role in fighting international financial crime.* Big Tech and Government Contracts - There's growing concern about the relationship between the Trump administration and tech leaders, not just for potential government contracts but also for their control of media platforms. Vogl argues this could be problematic for democracy if proper procurement and transparency processes aren't followed.FULL TRANSCRIPT: Frank Vogl Warns of a New Financial Crisis Under Trump 2.0Interview with Frank Vogl February 16, 2025Two months into Donald Trump's second presidency, financial corruption expert Frank Vogl returns to Keen On to discuss the dismantling of America's financial regulatory system and its potential consequences. Vogl, co-founder of Transparency International and author of "The Enablers: How the West Supports Kleptocrats and Corruption, Endangering Our Democracy," warns of parallels to both the 1920s and 2008 financial crisis, but with new digital-age complications.Andrew Keen: Hello, everybody. It is Sunday, February 16th, 2025. A couple of years ago, we did a show with my old friend Frank Vogl on the global fight against corruption. He is the author of "The Enablers: How the West Supports Kleptocrats and Corruption, Endangering Our Democracy" and co-founder of Transparency International, a nonprofit focused on exposing financial corruption. Last year, we had Frank back to discuss whether Donald Trump 2.0 would be what we called a semi-legal repeat of the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX debacle. Now, almost two months into the Trump regime, I'd like to revisit this question. Frank, you have an interesting new piece out in The Globalist about Trump-style U.S. financial deregulation and its global ramifications. Is it as bad as we feared?Frank Vogl: Yes, it's good to be with you, Andrew. We are in danger of developments that could lead to a financial crisis in a few years' time, potentially worse than the 2008 financial crisis. That crisis led to massive unemployment and economic hardship, not just in the U.S. but across the world. It was caused by wild speculation, greed, and mismanagement by fewer than two dozen financial institutions, many of which were bailed out. Now, thanks to what Trump and Elon Musk are doing, we're setting the stage for a new era of financial deregulation with all the risks that involves.Andrew Keen: It's chilling. Frank, I wonder about the historical parallels. Some people have made much of Trump's interest in McKinley's presidency, colonialism, and Latin America. But I wonder whether we're really returning to the 1920s and the unconstrained speculative capitalism of the Coolidge, Harding, and Hoover era. Are there historical analogies here? The teapot scandal and unregulated capitalism of the '20s resulted in the great crash.Frank Vogl: Yes, that's true. But we should remember it led to a new era of regulation - the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies focused on ensuring financial institutions didn't have excessive power. What we're facing now is not only the prospect of excessive power by financial institutions but a much more complicated array of financial institutions. Take Elon Musk, who unquestionably wants to enter the financial arena by operating his own quasi-bank.Andrew Keen: He's always been clear about that - he's said X will ultimately be a bank among other things.Frank Vogl: What we're seeing now is not only the possibility of bank deregulation, but also the emergence of a whole new unregulated system of finance from Silicon Valley. Add to that the complete mayhem of gambling, greed, corruption, and money laundering associated with crypto tokens. Put all of that together and you have a dangerous situation that could affect the global economy.Andrew Keen: Some might say you're overreacting. A Silicon Valley entrepreneur friend who was on the show yesterday argued that the Biden administration, particularly figures like Lina Khan, was stifling innovation. They'd say Trump's people are just letting innovators innovate, with Musk as a prime example. How would you respond to that?Frank Vogl: I disagree when it comes to finance. Let me explain. Our government essentially has two components: the administrative state, where government departments monitor and implement programs and projects, and the regulatory state, where agencies protect American citizens in health, consumer safety, and finance. First and foremost, we need a safe and sound financial system. Everyone benefits from that. We have a healthy financial system right now - just look at the stock market. It could be improved, but let's not demolish it. The profits of the biggest banks in 2024 were at record levels. Jamie Dimon, head of JP Morgan Chase, took home a record $39 million in compensation. The head of Goldman Sachs got an $80 million bonus.Andrew Keen: Which in Silicon Valley terms isn't that much money, certainly compared to the Musks and others of this world.Frank Vogl: My point is that banks are the bedrock of our financial system. The people at the top are being compensated better than ever before. So what are they campaigning for? What are they supporting Trump on? They're arguing for the kind of deregulation that Paul Volcker, the former Federal Reserve Board president, warned would be dangerous.Andrew Keen: My understanding of the 2008 crash was that banks took advantage of vulnerable consumers and lent them money they shouldn't have borrowed, creating the subprime mortgage crisis that crashed the economy. What do bankers want to do in 2025 that, in your view, they shouldn't be allowed to do?Frank Vogl: You're right about what happened, but also many financial institutions borrowed enormous sums. They leveraged their basic resources to speculate on complicated derivative financial instruments. They were essentially gambling. As Chuck Prince, who ran Citigroup, said, "We have to keep dancing as long as the music is playing."Andrew Keen: Capitalism is about dancing, Frank. It's about taking risk, isn't it?Frank Vogl: To some degree, but when you have an institution like JPMorgan Chase with over $4 trillion in assets, you have to think hard about its mission. That mission fundamentally is to serve customers, not just the top executives. Let them get rich at the top, but let them be prudent and maintain integrity. Trump and Musk have no time for that. Let me give you one example: Trump recently announced we're no longer going to investigate international and corporate corruption. He put the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on pause.Andrew Keen: Yes, that was February 10th. Quoting from whitehouse.gov: "Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement to further American economic and national security," whatever that means.Frank Vogl: The act was signed by Jimmy Carter in 1977. The largest single fines ever paid for foreign bribery were by Goldman Sachs - nearly $4 billion globally, with $1.6 billion to the U.S. alone. Now we're ending investigations of exactly the kind of activity that made Goldman Sachs very profitable. We're ending all manner of fraud investigation in finance. Take another example: last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was essentially shuttered. A judge ruled it should continue, but Trump's appointees ensure it has minimal resources to investigate. The CFPB investigates banks that commit fraud against regular customers. Remember what Wells Fargo did? The CFPB caught them, and they paid major fines.Andrew Keen: How does all this add up to a financial crisis? The CFPB situation is troubling, but why should this cause the whole system to collapse?Frank Vogl: Let's look at this in three components: banks, digital finance, and crypto. Starting with banks - they're lobbying hard for reduced capital requirements, meaning less money in reserve for crises. They want fewer regulations on how they use their money so they can speculate on their own account. Why? Because banks' short-term profits determine the bankers' compensation. Their bonuses are tied to those profits.Andrew Keen: So if banks are allowed to gamble aggressively, that's great if they win, but if they lose, we all lose. Is that the argument? Then we have to bail them out again?Frank Vogl: That's part of it. The other concern is that as some banks lose, they may get merged into other banks until you have just a handful of enormous banks that can never fail. If they were to fail, our economy would fail. The moral hazard is that banks know when they take huge risks, they'll be bailed out. Now add to this all these quasi-banking systems from Silicon Valley - PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay. And X recently announced a deal with Visa on payment systems, just the first step to creating X Financial.Andrew Keen: You're sounding a bit reactionary, maybe alarmist. What's wrong with PayPal? It's simply a digital system for people to buy stuff.Frank Vogl: You're right, it's fine the way it is today. But what if these entities are allowed to take deposits and make loans, doing everything banks do, all online? Who's regulating that? Where's the safety?Andrew Keen: But where's the evidence that the Trump administration will allow PayPal or X or Apple Pay to become banks without traditional regulations? From a traditional banking perspective, I'd assume Jamie Dimon and his peers would fight this because it undermines them.Frank Vogl: We're seeing an administration tearing the system apart. Look at each regulatory agency - Trump has put people in charge with long histories of opposing regulation. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation just lost 500 staff through "voluntary resignations." When you reduce regulatory enforcement and investigation, you open the door to abuse. History shows that when there's opportunity for abuse, abuse happens. I hope your optimism about Silicon Valley's ability to manage complicated finance is justified, but I'm skeptical.Andrew Keen: So you're saying Apple or X or PayPal shouldn't be able to be banks, even with traditional banking regulations?Frank Vogl: No, that would be fine. But who's going to regulate it? Do you see Trump proposing to Congress that a brand new regulatory agency be established for this kind of finance? That's not how the Trump team thinks. Just look at crypto.Andrew Keen: Yes, let's look at crypto. Melania Trump launched her own cryptocurrency - it's an enormous speculative bubble, like the tulip speculation. Last week, both Donald and Melania Trump's crypto tokens plummeted. Someone's profiting, someone's losing. How important is this to the broader economy? Is it just another sideshow, another way for the Trump family to get rich while we lose?Frank Vogl: It's contained at the moment. The whole crypto token business is perhaps $3-4 trillion in size - very small in terms of global finance. But I worry about an administration with strong conflicts of interest developing this kind of rapid gambling speculation. Most people invested in crypto are young, between 18 and 35. Many don't have experience with past financial crises.Andrew Keen: And there's a clear difference between using PayPal to buy something online and investing in crypto. One is entirely speculative, one is just a financial transaction.Frank Vogl: Do you really think Elon Musk's X Financial will be satisfied just being a rival to PayPal's payment system? Or does he have bigger ambitions to turn X Financial into something much more like a bank?Andrew Keen: I think he does, but...Frank Vogl: And then comes the question: who is going to regulate this?Andrew Keen: Musk himself? That's a joke. Although at the moment, there's no concrete evidence. X is still struggling for survival as just a social media platform.Frank Vogl: Look, I may sound pessimistic, but I'm only talking about the potential. There's very little public attention on what's happening with financial deregulation, as I wrote in The Globalist. The impact could be substantial. When you have this complete dismantling of the FCPA, other fraud investigations, the removal of inspectors general - the whole dismantling of the government's apparatus for accountability and transparency - then you have to worry about mounting financial risk in our system.Andrew Keen: Let's return to crypto. When does crypto become dangerous? If it becomes a rival to the dollar? At what point do we start worrying that a crypto crisis could become a broader financial crisis?Frank Vogl: I don't worry about that actually. I worry about the conflicts of interest - Trump and his children and cronies all making money from deregulating crypto. I think crypto will remain a sideshow for a long time. But I'm considerably worried about money laundering. With a Justice Department that's stopped investigating financial crimes, and a cryptocurrency system free of regulation - something Trump has promised - organized crime and kleptocrats worldwide will be able to hide their ill-gotten gains and transfer them between countries. That's worrying in itself, even if it doesn't cause a global financial meltdown.Andrew Keen: I wonder if there's another dimension to Trump's upcoming meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine. There's what one author called "KGB-style capitalism" - the mass laundering of illegal wealth. How much does Trump's eagerness to bring Putin back into the international system have financial ramifications?Frank Vogl: Putin and the oligarchs, Lukashenko in Belarus and his cronies, the former oligarchs of Ukraine who made their money with Russia - all these people have been sanctioned since the war started in February 2022. We're approaching the third anniversary. Putin really wants those sanctions lifted to restore global money laundering and financial crime opportunities. This might be leverage in a deal.Andrew Keen: Can Trump get away with that politically in D.C.? If he pulls the sanctions card to establish what he'd call a Ukrainian peace - really a peace imposed by America on Ukraine - will mainstream Republicans accept that?Frank Vogl: They seem to accept everything today. Trump seems to get away with an awful lot. But I'd like to return to something earlier - there needs to be more public attention on the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. To use a new word in the vocabulary, it has been "Musked." The CFPB, like USA Today, has been Musked. Musk and Trump have weaponized their authority to dismantle these institutions. We'll see it at the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. When you weaponize authority, you monetize power. This is where the conflict of interest comes in. Unfortunately, Congress isn't alert to these developments.Andrew Keen: In a broader international sense, I've always understood that American law is more aggressive than the UK's. Oliver Pollock, who's been on the show, wrote "Butler to the World" about the corrupt British system that invites dirty money from overseas, particularly Russia. Given that Trump is demanding half of Ukraine's mineral resources, could this Trump revolution undermine America's role in standing up to dirty money, both domestically and overseas?Frank Vogl: It might undermine it, but there's no authority anywhere to replace it. The U.S. Justice Department did a fantastic job investigating cryptocurrencies, crypto finance, and bribery of foreign government officials - not just by U.S. companies but by many companies worldwide with U.S. listings, like Airbus Industries. There's no authority in Europe willing to take on that task. So we leave a vacuum. And who fills the vacuum? Kleptocrats, organized crime, and corrupt businesses. A Nigerian paper recently headlined that Nigerian politicians are now open to American bribes. We're being seen as permitting corruption - a terrible reputation. The Swiss or British won't suddenly become super-active in filling the roles the U.S. Justice Department has played.Andrew Keen: As The Guardian headlined today, "Elon Musk's mass government cuts could make private companies millions." We all know the famous photo from the inauguration with Zuckerberg, Bezos, Google's CEO, and Musk. Some might say, what's wrong with that? These companies are the engine of the American economy. Why shouldn't the Trump administration focus on making big American companies more profitable? Won't that make Americans wealthier too?Frank Vogl: There are two answers. First, I agree - if standard public procurement, accountability, and transparency procedures are in place, then companies winning competitive bidding should win. If these happen to be the companies you mentioned, good for them. But if contracts are given without proper bidding processes and transparency, the public loses. Second, Trump didn't embrace these people primarily for their business power - they control media. Autocrats worldwide, from Orbán to Netanyahu, ensure they have media-controlling business tycoons on their side. Trump is incredibly sensitive to publicity and has attracted these powerful media tycoons. I worry about how this media power will be used to undermine democracy and freedom of speech.Andrew Keen: What's the headline for today? Last time, we discussed whether Trump 2.0 would be a semi-legal repeat of the Sam Bankman-Fried debacle. What's the worst that can happen in this new regime?Frank Vogl: Actions are being taken, sometimes inadvertently, that undermine the safety and soundness of our financial system. If that happens, everyone - not just here at home but internationally - will suffer.Andrew Keen: So we'll get 2008 again, or 1930?Frank Vogl: I hope we get neither. But we must be acutely aware of the risks and call out all deregulatory measures if we believe they risk our system, especially when prompted by corruption and greed rather than public interest.Andrew Keen: Well, Frank Vogl, I hope you're wrong, but I suspect you may be right. This won't be the last time you appear on the show. There will be many twists and turns in the financial history of the Trump regime. Thank you so much, Frank. Keep watching in D.C. - we need eyes and ears like yours to make sense of what's happening.Frank Vogl: Andrew, it was once again a great pleasure. Thank you.Frank Vogl is the co-founder of two leading international non-governmental organizations fighting corruption -- Transparency International and the Partnership for Transparency Fund (Frank is the Chair of the PTF Board). He teaches at Georgetown University, writes regular "blog" articles on corruption for theGlobalist.com and lectures extensively. Frank is also a specialist in international economics and finance with more than 50 years of experience in these fields - first as an international journalist, then as the Director of Information & Public Affairs at the World Bank official and, from 1990 to 2017, as the president and CEO of a consulting firm, Vogl Communications Inc.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

This week: Trump has signed an order suspending the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speculate on his motives and on how likely it actually is that this will shield anyone from the FCPA. Then, Elon Musk has taken $80 million that was sent to New York City by FEMA directly out of the city's account. The hosts discuss the legality and worrisome precedent of the move. Finally, inflation is still a thing. They go over the latest inflation report which of course leads to another Egg Watch 2025. In the Slate Plus episode: Japanese 7Elevens Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Trump has signed an order suspending the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speculate on his motives and on how likely it actually is that this will shield anyone from the FCPA. Then, Elon Musk has taken $80 million that was sent to New York City by FEMA directly out of the city's account. The hosts discuss the legality and worrisome precedent of the move. Finally, inflation is still a thing. They go over the latest inflation report which of course leads to another Egg Watch 2025. In the Slate Plus episode: Japanese 7Elevens Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Trump has signed an order suspending the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speculate on his motives and on how likely it actually is that this will shield anyone from the FCPA. Then, Elon Musk has taken $80 million that was sent to New York City by FEMA directly out of the city's account. The hosts discuss the legality and worrisome precedent of the move. Finally, inflation is still a thing. They go over the latest inflation report which of course leads to another Egg Watch 2025. In the Slate Plus episode: Japanese 7Elevens Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Trump has signed an order suspending the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speculate on his motives and on how likely it actually is that this will shield anyone from the FCPA. Then, Elon Musk has taken $80 million that was sent to New York City by FEMA directly out of the city's account. The hosts discuss the legality and worrisome precedent of the move. Finally, inflation is still a thing. They go over the latest inflation report which of course leads to another Egg Watch 2025. In the Slate Plus episode: Japanese 7Elevens Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: About 77,000 federal employees have accepted Trump's deferred resignation offer, with more layoffs hitting the Department of Education, GSA, and Small Business Administration. Meanwhile, several DOJ officials in New York resigned after refusing to drop corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who was allegedly shielded by Trump's immigration crackdown. Trump also froze the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, an anti-bribery law. House Republicans rolled out a budget plan with $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, and more funding for immigration enforcement and the military. A federal judge blocked Trump's order restricting health care for transgender youth, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul vowed to block Louisiana's effort to extradite a doctor who mailed abortion pills to a teen. Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit against New York's Green Light law, which limits DMV data sharing with immigration officials. Lastly, RFK Jr. was confirmed as Health and Human Services Secretary—Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against him. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: Scores of firings have begun at federal agencies AP News: Prosecutor who quit after refusing to drop Adams case says she's confident he committed the crimes CBS News: Trump freezes U.S. law banning bribery of foreign officials WSJ: House GOP Plan Envisions $4.5 Trillion in Tax Cuts WA Post: Federal judge blocks Trump order on health care for transgender youth NY Times: Abortion Provider Won't Be Extradited to Louisiana, N.Y. Governor Says CBS News: New York's Green Light Law hit with Department of Justice lawsuit. Here's why. NY Times: Senate Confirms RFK Jr., a Prominent Vaccine Skeptic, as Health Secretary  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, John and Elliot discuss corruption, including the dropping of charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, the Basel Institute on Governance's new quick guide on strategic corruption, and the DOJ's pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also discuss issues raised by BaFin about AI-based fraud, actions by Europol on cybercrime, and other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

John Maytham is joined by Karam Singh, Executive Director at Corruption Watch, to analyze Donald Trump’s executive order halting FCPA prosecutions. Singh expressed concern that this move could weaken global anti-corruption efforts, as the FCPA has long been a cornerstone of corporate accountability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darren discussed these topics:Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence on a 52-48 vote. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote against her.Donald Trump is refusing to enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Darren explains what the law does and what could happen going forward.The Department of Justice has ordered prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.Inspector generals who were fired by Trump have filed a lawsuit to get their jobs back.Elon Musk brought his human shield, I mean young son, to the Oval Office to defend what the Department of Government Efficiency is doing.The White House barred two Associated Press reporters from covering events because the AP Stylebook won't refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.Inflation grew last month, with the consumer price index increasing 3 percent.And a judge has ordered Louisiana State University to reinstate a professor who was removed from the classroom because of comments he made against the Governor of Louisiana and Donald Trump.

Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: Trump Pauses Enforcement of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (0:21) Marc Fogel Released From Russian Prison Four Years After Arrest (4:47) States Sue Over Section 504; Here's What It Means for Americans With Disabilities (8:03) Four FEMA Employees Fired After DOGE Claims $59M Was Spent on 'Luxury Hotels' for Illegal Immigrants (15:33) DOJ Recommends All Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams Be Dropped (19:32) Kanye West Airs Antisemitic Super Bowl Ad (21:47) Court Says CDC, FDA, and HHS Webpages Must Go Back Online After Executive Orders (23:56) Education Dept. Agrees to Temporarily Prohibit DOGE From Accessing Records After Being Sued (27:05) Senate Judiciary Democrats Request Second Patel Hearing After Accusing Him of Lying Under Oath (28:54) Quick Hitters: RFK Jr. Confirmed, FBI Finds News JFK Files, Trump's Order on Paper Straws, Trump Pardons Former Illinois Governor, Appeals Court Keeps Funding Freeze Pause in Place, Federal Buyout Offer Can Proceed, Bannon Pleads Guilty, Sotomayor Comments on Recent Judicial Threat, Inflation Jumps, Disney and Google Do Away With DEI Programs (31:36) Rumor Has It: Does the SAVE Act Ban Married Women From Voting? Is Trump Lifting the Death Penalty Moratorium to Execute Illegal Immigrants? Did Google Remove Black History Month and Pride Month from Calendar? (37:56) Listen/Watch this episode AD-FREE on Patreon. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on Instagram and TikTok. All sources for this episode can be found here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump réinvente le business à l'américaine : fini les règles, place aux deals. En suspendant une loi emblématique contre la corruption, il transforme les pots-de-vin en stratégie patriotique. Ethique ou cynisme, pourquoi le Make America Graisse Again n'a jamais été aussi percutant ? Focus sur le business à l'américaine, et qui dit business, dit forcément Donald Trump. Cette fois, le maître des deals a décidé de donner un coup de balai à une vieille loi, le Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ou FCFP pour les intimes. Cette loi, promulguée en 1977, interdisait aux entreprises américaines de soudoyer des fonctionnaires étrangers. Une loi anti pots-de-vin mais pour Trump, et bien, ça, c'est du passé, de l'histoire ancienne, un frein au business. D'un coup de stylo, il vient de suspendre son application. Pour quelles raisons ? Pourquoi s'embarrasser de règles quand le reste du monde joue déjà ? À qui glissera l'enveloppe la plus dodue ? Mots-Clés : traduction, entreprises américaines, compétitives, éthique, business, décret, graisser la patte machine économique, lubie, mandat, loi, anticorruption, sécurité nationale, soudoyer, fonctionnaire étranger, contrat, monde, accord, Richard Nephew, coordinateur, arme précieuse, législation, immoral, inefficace, perte sèche, Transparency International, ONG, sonnette d'alarme, champion, éthique, classement mondial, ministre de la Justice, Pam Bondi, fidèle, allié, enquête, cartels, gangs, transnationaux, méchants, opportunistes, message, corruption, stratégie. --- La chronique économique d'Amid Faljaoui, tous les jours à 8h30 et à 17h30. Merci pour votre écoute Pour écouter Classic 21 à tout moment i: https://www.rtbf.be/radio/liveradio/classic21 ou sur l'app Radioplayer Belgique Retrouvez tous les épisodes de La chronique économique sur notre plateforme Auvio.be :https://auvio.rtbf.be/emission/802 Et si vous avez apprécié ce podcast, n'hésitez pas à nous donner des étoiles ou des commentaires, cela nous aide à le faire connaître plus largement. Découvrez nos autres podcasts : Le journal du Rock : https://audmns.com/VCRYfsPComic Street (BD) https://audmns.com/oIcpwibLa chronique économique : https://audmns.com/NXWNCrAHey Teacher : https://audmns.com/CIeSInQHistoires sombres du rock : https://audmns.com/ebcGgvkCollection 21 : https://audmns.com/AUdgDqHMystères et Rock'n Roll : https://audmns.com/pCrZihuLa mauvaise oreille de Freddy Tougaux : https://audmns.com/PlXQOEJRock&Sciences : https://audmns.com/lQLdKWRCook as You Are: https://audmns.com/MrmqALPNobody Knows : https://audmns.com/pnuJUlDPlein Ecran : https://audmns.com/gEmXiKzRadio Caroline : https://audmns.com/WccemSkAinsi que nos séries :Rock Icons : https://audmns.com/pcmKXZHRock'n Roll Heroes: https://audmns.com/bXtHJucFever (Erotique) : https://audmns.com/MEWEOLpEt découvrez nos animateurs dans cette série Close to You : https://audmns.com/QfFankx

The flood of memos issued by newly minted Attorney General Pam Bondi in her first days was dizzying, so hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord zero in on several that have significant implications for national security and criminal law enforcement. Next, they give a rundown of litigation happening across the country, as courtrooms become the first defense in challenging some of President Trump's questionable orders. And last up, Andrew and Mary talk through a few legal battles brewing over sanctuary cities and detail Mary and ICAP's latest case aiming to protect places of worship as safe havens from immigration enforcement. And btw, the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams just went poof-- they dissect that too.Further reading: Here is Just Security's Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions.HERE is the DOJ memo dropping the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams without prejudice.And here is the statement from the American Bar Association that Andrew and Mary spoke about: The ABA supports the rule of law.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Trump — in a move that signals that Trump's America is now pro bribery and extortion, and anti-ethics and whistleblowers, Trump just suspended enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (and is companion Foreign Extortion Prevention Act” because he says not allowing American businesses to bribe their way to new business is unAmerican, while at the same time dismissing the heads of Government offices for Ethics and Whistleblowing to prevent corruption. Save your smile and your bank account with Remi! Get up to 50% off your custom-fit mouth guard at https://ShopRemi.com/LEGALAF today! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk has been holding court in the Oval Office. With Donald Trump by his side and his own toddler on his shoulders, he spoke to a press pack - justifying the gutting of federal agencies, DOGE plans to revolutionise government, and the mistakes he admits they've made along the way. Meanwhile, Trump has called for a reigning in of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act so that American businesses can offer backhanders if they need to. Is he Making Bribery Great again?Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh here: https://articles.globalplayer.com/7giHoMavXLgdrd6gaC3GxWG7T8Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Louis DegenhardtProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalist: Michael BaggsDon't forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:https://linktr.ee/thenewsagentsThe News Agents USA now have merch! Click here to buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agentsThe News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This Day in Legal History: Milošević Stands TrialOn February 12, 2002, the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević began at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. It was the first time a former head of state was tried for war crimes by an international tribunal. Milošević faced 66 charges, including genocide, crimes against humanity, and violations of the laws of war, stemming from conflicts in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo during the 1990s. Prosecutors accused him of orchestrating ethnic cleansing campaigns that led to mass killings, deportations, and atrocities, particularly against Bosniaks, Croats, and Kosovar Albanians. Defiantly refusing to recognize the tribunal's legitimacy, Milošević insisted on representing himself in court. The trial, one of the most complex in modern history, lasted over four years, involving thousands of documents and hundreds of witnesses. His defense centered on denying personal responsibility, blaming NATO, and portraying himself as a protector of Serbs. However, the proceedings never reached a conclusion—Milošević died of a heart attack in his prison cell on March 11, 2006, before a verdict could be issued. His death frustrated victims who sought justice and left legal scholars debating whether the trial had succeeded in advancing international accountability. The case, despite its abrupt end, set a precedent for prosecuting heads of state for war crimes and influenced later trials, including those of Charles Taylor and Omar al-Bashir.The U.S. Justice Department under President Donald Trump has significantly reduced its anti-corruption enforcement, halting prosecutions and weakening key laws. Officials have pulled back on enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bans corporate bribery abroad, arguing that American companies should not be penalized for standard international business practices. Prosecutors were also ordered to drop a criminal case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat with ties to Trump, citing his re-election campaign and other priorities. In addition, the department has disbanded efforts to sanction Russian oligarchs and dismissed veteran prosecutors who handled cases against Trump. Attorney General Pam Bondi framed these actions as an attempt to root out political bias in the justice system. Ethics officials and independent government watchdogs have been fired or reassigned, including inspectors general and whistleblower protection leaders. Critics, including legal scholars and former officials, warn that these moves align law enforcement with Trump's political agenda and weaken anti-corruption safeguards established after Watergate. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has expressed concern and vowed to investigate, while some Democrats and former prosecutors see the changes as an effort to dismantle legal mechanisms designed to hold public officials accountable.Trump's Justice Department hits the brakes on anti-corruption enforcement | ReutersGail Slater, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Justice Department's antitrust division, is set to face tough questioning from the Senate during her confirmation hearing. As a former economic adviser to Vice President JD Vance and a veteran antitrust attorney, Slater would oversee major cases against tech giants like Google and Apple if confirmed. Senate Democrats are expected to press her on maintaining enforcement and independence, especially amid concerns that the administration is undermining the DOJ's traditional nonpartisanship. Senator Cory Booker has raised alarms about potential staffing cuts at the DOJ's antitrust division, warning they could weaken protections for consumers. Other Democrats, including Senators Peter Welch and Amy Klobuchar, plan to question Slater on her commitment to continuing efforts to lower prices in healthcare, housing, and agriculture. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Mike Lee has voiced support for Slater, expecting her to carry on Trump's push against Big Tech monopolies. Slater's background includes roles at Fox Corp, Roku, and a now-defunct tech industry lobbying group, raising further concerns about her potential ties to the companies she would regulate. Her confirmation will be a key test of the administration's approach to antitrust enforcement and corporate consolidation.Trump's DOJ antitrust nominee to be grilled on enforcement | ReutersTom Goldstein, co-founder of SCOTUSblog, has asked to be released from jail after prosecutors accused him of violating his release conditions by secretly moving millions in cryptocurrency. Goldstein was arrested after a Maryland federal court found probable cause that he had misled officials about his finances. The government claims he used undisclosed crypto wallets for large transactions while arguing in court that he needed his home's equity to fund his defense.  Goldstein's attorneys argue the government is mistaken, stating that he does not own the wallets in question. They claim text messages cited by prosecutors actually show Goldstein directing funds to a third party to settle a debt, not controlling the wallets himself. Goldstein faces charges of tax evasion, aiding false tax returns, failing to pay taxes, and lying on a loan application, with prosecutors alleging he concealed gambling income and misused his firm's funds. He has pleaded not guilty and maintains he will be exonerated at trial. His legal team, including lawyers from Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, has filed an emergency motion for his release, and he has also been permitted to represent himself in court.Tom Goldstein Seeks Release, Denies Control Over Crypto WalletsNew Jersey's proposed bill, S1756, is a smart adjustment to the state's senior property tax relief system, allowing older homeowners to downsize without losing their eligibility for tax benefits. Right now, seniors who move must restart the tax reimbursement process, which can mean higher property taxes and a financial disincentive to selling. By making these benefits portable, the bill removes an unnecessary barrier to housing mobility, freeing up larger homes for younger families without adding excessive costs to the state budget.  This approach is a model for other states struggling with housing shortages and inefficient tax incentives, but it's not perfect. The bill's $500,000 income cap is too high, providing relief to seniors who may not need it. A more reasonable threshold—like 500% of the federal poverty level—would better target those on fixed incomes. Additionally, a cap on home values would ensure benefits don't go to wealthy homeowners with expensive properties but low taxable income. A reasonable solution would be to apply tax relief only to the first 150% of a state's median home price, preventing subsidies from disproportionately benefiting the wealthy.  Ultimately, this bill corrects a major flaw in New Jersey's tax policy without overhauling the system or eliminating relief for seniors who need it. But states following this example should refine their programs to ensure they help those who truly need assistance, rather than offering broad-based entitlements that distort housing markets.NJ Senior Property Tax Relief Needs Nuance to Be Most Effective This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

President Donald Trump threatened cut aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused his demand to permanently take in Palestinians from Gaza; meanwhile the agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees - is still operating in East Jerusalem, even though Israel's ban on the agency went into effect last week. The U.S. has declared famine in part of Darfur; VOA talks with refugees who fled. Plus, a look at the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: what it means and why the president might have wanted to suspend it.

Kia ora,Welcome to Wednesday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news the USD is wavering (down -1.7%) as policy missteps especially on the impact of the trade war hostilities. Benchmark interest rates are rising as risk premiums rise. Estimates for US growth are getting downgraded, while estimates for US inflation are being raised. These latest shifts will have global echoes.And in a shameless move, the US President has ended enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, saying bribing foreign officials is now a part of US diplomacy. Previous you could go to jail for that, and many people did. The lack of enforcement will probably only apply to Trump's supporters.The US Fed boss Powell is testifying before Congress, newly hostile because Trumps troops are gunning for lower policy interest rates. He also pushed back on 'being rushed' on rate cuts. At the accusation the Fed is overstaffed, he countered that they aren't, but they are overworked.Last week's American retail Redbook index rose +5.3% above year-ago levels, a slowing but still a notable rose.Also at a good level is SME business optimism. But uncertainty is on the rise. This January survey by the NBIB was expected to rise from December, but it fell.There was another large, but well-supported US Treasury three year bond auction earlier today and that went for a yield of 4.26%. This was slightly below the prior equivalent event a month ago at 4.29%. Fear is being priced in more than uncertainty.The February USDA WASDE report has been released. It shows the US will likely produce more beef in 2025, and import levels will remain unchanged. But prices are rising they say on rising demand. They also so US milk production is in a declining phase with fewer cows milking. They see prices holding, in USD terms of course.In Canada, December building permit levels rise sharply and by much more than expected. They were +11% more than in November and a massive +30% higher than in December 2023. Although this metric does tend to jump around a bit, there are some substantial gains here.In India, their central bank has intervened in currency markets frying to stop the fall and speculative shorting of the rupee. It had ballooned out to almost 88 to the USD and the intervention brought it back to 87. However even that level is a notable devaluation. The RBI probably doesn't have the resources to fight market shorters.In China, President XI is out visiting the regions, and emphasising the importance of food security. Beijing must be worried if they give it this much repeated exposure.And yet another large property developer is throwing in the towel, not opposing its winding up.The social-media-recorded pushback during the Covid lockdowns in China that "we are the final generation" is continuing to echo, and echo loudly there. After rising slightly in 2023, marriages fell sharply in 2024 and to their lowest since China's public records began in 1986. This means the public efforts to stop the sharp fall in births are not working. (And yes, if you try to follow the link to the data, you may well find yourself blocked. But it is the source data for this item.)In Australia, the Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment survey reported no improvement in January from the flat levels that have been around for the two prior months. But the NAB Business Sentiment survey is reporting that their responders are finding a more positive mood.The UST 10yr yield is at 4.54%, up +5 bps from yesterday at this time.The price of gold will start today at just under US$2904/oz and up +US$4 from yesterday.Oil prices are up +50 USc at just on US$73/bbl in the US and the international Brent price is now just under US$77/bbl and back to week-ago levels.The Kiwi dollar is now at 56.6 USc and up +10 bps from this time yesterday. Against the Aussie we are down -10 bps at 89.9 AUc. Against the euro we are also down -10 bps at just under 54.7 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just on 66.8, essentially unchanged from yesterday at this time.The bitcoin price starts today at US$96,409down -0.9% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at +/- 1.2%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again tomorrow.

For some people, retirement is an opportunity to kick back and finally relax. But for Roger M. Witten, it was a chance to finally tackle that book he'd been thinking about writing. With a little help from longtime friends and colleagues, Legal Briefs: The Ups and Downs of Life in the Law was born.   Witten's aim was to reach a general audience and given them an idea about what a life in the law could look like outside the most well-known bounds of a criminal justice, Law & Order career. The result is a series of short, digestible anecdotes from 20 attorneys, talking about memorable cases, clients and conundrums they had. A reader could flip to any chapter in Legal Briefs and spend an enjoyable 5-10 minutes getting a snapshot from a contributor's career.   Witten himself shares how he became an assistant special prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force in the 1970s. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, he tells host Lee Rawles about defending a wise guy client code-named Ted, who nicknamed Witten "Witless" and threw a party with a banner reading "Ted - 1, FBI - 0" when they reached a successful plea agreement.   Many of the contributors to the book of essays were involved in government litigation and complex corporate matters. Witten himself was one of the foremost litigators handling Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases, and before his retirement was a senior litigation partner in WilmerHale's New York office.   In this episode he also shares his perspective as a former Watergate prosecutor on current events within the federal government since the Trump Administration began, and recounts his experience with the late Sen. John McCain while defending campaign finance reforms.

For some people, retirement is an opportunity to kick back and finally relax. But for Roger M. Witten, it was a chance to finally tackle that book he'd been thinking about writing. With a little help from longtime friends and colleagues, Legal Briefs: The Ups and Downs of Life in the Law was born.   Witten's aim was to reach a general audience and given them an idea about what a life in the law could look like outside the most well-known bounds of a criminal justice, Law & Order career. The result is a series of short, digestible anecdotes from 20 attorneys, talking about memorable cases, clients and conundrums they had. A reader could flip to any chapter in Legal Briefs and spend an enjoyable 5-10 minutes getting a snapshot from a contributor's career.   Witten himself shares how he became an assistant special prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force in the 1970s. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, he tells host Lee Rawles about defending a wise guy client code-named Ted, who nicknamed Witten "Witless" and threw a party with a banner reading "Ted - 1, FBI - 0" when they reached a successful plea agreement.   Many of the contributors to the book of essays were involved in government litigation and complex corporate matters. Witten himself was one of the foremost litigators handling Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases, and before his retirement was a senior litigation partner in WilmerHale's New York office.   In this episode he also shares his perspective as a former Watergate prosecutor on current events within the federal government since the Trump Administration began, and recounts his experience with the late Sen. John McCain while defending campaign finance reforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For some people, retirement is an opportunity to kick back and finally relax. But for Roger M. Witten, it was a chance to finally tackle that book he'd been thinking about writing. With a little help from longtime friends and colleagues, Legal Briefs: The Ups and Downs of Life in the Law was born.   Witten's aim was to reach a general audience and given them an idea about what a life in the law could look like outside the most well-known bounds of a criminal justice, Law & Order career. The result is a series of short, digestible anecdotes from 20 attorneys, talking about memorable cases, clients and conundrums they had. A reader could flip to any chapter in Legal Briefs and spend an enjoyable 5-10 minutes getting a snapshot from a contributor's career.   Witten himself shares how he became an assistant special prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force in the 1970s. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, he tells host Lee Rawles about defending a wise guy client code-named Ted, who nicknamed Witten "Witless" and threw a party with a banner reading "Ted - 1, FBI - 0" when they reached a successful plea agreement.   Many of the contributors to the book of essays were involved in government litigation and complex corporate matters. Witten himself was one of the foremost litigators handling Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases, and before his retirement was a senior litigation partner in WilmerHale's New York office.   In this episode he also shares his perspective as a former Watergate prosecutor on current events within the federal government since the Trump Administration began, and recounts his experience with the late Sen. John McCain while defending campaign finance reforms.

The United Nations and World Economic Forum calculates that the cost of corporate corruption globally is $5 trillion a year, or 5% of the world's 2022 GDP. Corruption can hamper economic growth by discouraging investment, increasing transaction costs, and distorting market competition. It can perpetuate poverty by diverting resources away from essential services and benefiting the wealthy and powerful. It can undermine democratic institutions and erode public trust in governments. It can hinder sustainable development by diverting resources away from essential infrastructure and social services.The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA – the government's leading weapon in this global war on corporate crime – has far-reaching implications for companies engaged in international business. For those who violate it the consequences can be severe. And with the recent addition of the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA), the federal government has even more to work with. I had the pleasure of learning more about this fascinating and complex area of the law by speaking with two attorneys with Reed Smith who practice in the firm's Global Regulatory Enforcement Group. Mark E. Bini is a former federal and state prosecutor in New York, has led multiple multi-year cross-border investigations of corporations and individuals and has particular experience in investigations involving potential Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations. As a prosecutor, he worked closely and in parallel with many domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies and regulators, including the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and Brazil's Ministerio Publico Federal.Thomas H. Suddath, Jr., is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia, has extensive experience conducting international and domestic internal investigations and frequently counsels companies on compliance and voluntary disclosure issues related to the FCPA. He has handled FCPA and other internal investigations in many countries including Russia, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, Mexico and Colombia.Thanks to Mark and Tom for sharing their insights based on decades of experience. *******This podcast is the audio companion to the Journal of Emerging Issues in Litigation. The Journal is a collaborative project between HB Litigation, a brand of Critical Legal Content (a custom legal content service for law firms and service providers) and the vLex Fastcase legal research family, which includes Full Court Press, Law Street Media, and Docket Alarm.If you have comments, ideas, or wish to participate, please drop me a note at Editor@LitigationConferences.com.Tom HagyLitigation Enthusiast andHost of the Emerging Litigation PodcastHome PageFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe on your favorite platform.

This Day in Legal History: Former President Taft Becomes Chief JusticeOn July 11, 1921, William Howard Taft was sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, making history as the only person to have held both the presidency and the chief justiceship. Taft had previously served as the 27th President of the United States from 1909 to 1913. His appointment to the Supreme Court was a lifelong dream come true, as he had always preferred judicial work over executive duties.During his tenure as Chief Justice, Taft made significant contributions to the federal judiciary. He advocated for judicial reforms and was instrumental in the creation of the Judicial Conference of the United States, which helped improve the administration of the courts. His leadership was marked by efforts to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the judicial system.Taft's unique perspective as a former president provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between the branches of government. This experience enriched his contributions to the Court's decisions and its operations. His tenure as Chief Justice lasted until his retirement in 1930, leaving a lasting impact on the American legal system.A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has impacted two significant Illinois public-corruption cases involving former state House Speaker Mike Madigan. The ruling in Snyder v. United States clarified that federal law criminalizes bribery when officials accept bribes before performing official acts, but not when they accept gratuities after the fact. Following this decision, defense lawyers in the cases involving Madigan and his associates are seeking acquittals or new trials.Judge John Robert Blakey of the Northern District of Illinois requested updates from the lawyers involved. Meanwhile, attorneys in U.S. v. McClain indicated they would file motions to acquit or seek new trials for four defendants convicted of conspiring to solicit favors for Madigan. Michael McClain's lawyer argued the Supreme Court's ruling showed the jury was misinformed on the law, potentially invalidating the conviction.Madigan's legal team plans to file motions related to the Snyder decision, while prosecutors maintain their original allegations. Even if some convictions are vacated, the government argues that other charges, such as falsifying records under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, are likely to stand. Former prosecutor Rachel Cannon noted that these additional charges might withstand the impact of the Snyder ruling.The Snyder decision might also influence other prosecutions connected to the Madigan scandal. Besides McClain, Jay Doherty, John Hooker, and Anne Pramaggiore were also convicted and await sentencing, which has been postponed pending the Supreme Court's decision. These cases underscore the significant legal repercussions following the high court's interpretation of bribery statutes. SCOTUS Bribery Ruling Offers Chance to Undo Illinois ConvictionsA California judge has granted Tesla more time to prepare its defense against a proposed class action alleging it overcharged customers for insurance. The case, overseen by Judge Michael Markman of Alameda Superior Court, now has a hearing scheduled for October 2025 to determine whether it will proceed as a class action. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of drivers in 11 states, accuses Tesla of inflating insurance premiums based on false crash warnings instead of actual driving behavior, violating California's unfair competition law and breaching contracts with drivers.Tesla's attorney, Min Kang, cited delays in gathering defense information due to the involvement of multiple states and the recent departure of a key Tesla employee. This personnel change has complicated the process, with Tesla in the midst of hiring a replacement.Tesla, which denies any wrongdoing, previously attempted to dismiss some claims but was unsuccessful. The company's insurance program bases premiums on a "safety score," factoring in vehicle data such as hard-braking and forward collision warning alerts. Plaintiffs argue these scores are unfairly increased by false warnings, raising their premiums. This lawsuit has drawn attention from state regulators and plaintiffs' lawyers, highlighting broader concerns about Tesla's insurance practices.Tesla gets more time to defend against driver class action over insurance | ReutersHarvard University has appointed Jennifer O'Connor as its new general counsel, effective July 29. O'Connor previously held senior roles at Northrop Grumman and the US Department of Defense. This move comes as Harvard faces scrutiny over its policies on antisemitism and calls from some students to sever financial ties with military contractors. O'Connor brings extensive experience from large, complex organizations and has served as general counsel for the Department of Defense and held roles in the White House Counsel's office. She is an alumna of Harvard College and earned her law degree from Georgetown.Interim President Alan Garber praised her experience, emphasizing her readiness to manage Harvard's legal strategy amid congressional probes and lawsuits related to campus antisemitism and the aftermath of Hamas's attack on Israel. O'Connor will also address issues related to Harvard's admissions policies after a recent Supreme Court defeat. Neil Eggleston, who worked with O'Connor during the Obama administration, highlighted her familiarity with Washington's political landscape, which will aid Harvard in navigating upcoming challenges.O'Connor succeeds Eileen Finan, who has served as interim general counsel since March 1, following the retirement of Diane Lopez. This appointment aims to stabilize Harvard's legal department and address ongoing campus controversies.Harvard Hires New Lawyer From Weapons Maker Northrop Grumman (1)Rudolph Giuliani's personal bankruptcy case is likely to be dismissed by a federal bankruptcy judge by the end of the week after nearly seven months of inactivity. Judge Sean Lane of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York indicated during a hearing that he is inclined to dismiss the case entirely, with a final ruling expected on Friday. This dismissal would leave Giuliani without court protection from creditors, to whom he owes over $150 million. Giuliani's lawyers have consented to the proposed dismissal.The bankruptcy case has been fraught with disputes over missed deadlines and transparency issues regarding Giuliani's financial affairs. Giuliani filed for bankruptcy in December, reporting $10.6 million in assets after a $148 million defamation judgment for false accusations against Georgia poll workers in the 2020 election. Wandrea' Arshaye “Shaye” Moss, one of the poll workers, sits on an official creditors' committee that has requested a trustee's appointment.If dismissed, creditors would return to civil court to recover debts, and Giuliani would face continued lawsuits that were paused by his Chapter 11 filing. Attorney Rachel Strickland, representing the Georgia plaintiffs, criticized Giuliani's lack of cooperation and suggested he might commit bankruptcy crimes. This prompted a heated exchange during the hearing, with Giuliani interrupting to refute Strickland's claims.The creditors' committee opposes the dismissal, arguing that resolving the case within bankruptcy would benefit more creditors than civil court proceedings. Despite these arguments, the dismissal seems imminent, leaving significant creditors, particularly the Georgia poll workers, to seek recovery through other means.Giuliani Bankruptcy Is Heading Toward Dismissal, Judge Says (1) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

We're delighted to welcome back Poppy Alexander, a founding partner at the law firm Whistleblower Partners, a law firm dedicated to representing whistleblowers reporting fraud and misconduct in:·      Healthcare·      Procurement·      Securities and Commodities·      Taxes·      Money Laundering and Sanctions Evasion·      Customs·      Environmental Remediation·      Vehicle SafetyPoppy represents whistleblowers and government entities in qui tam lawsuits, as well as under the various agency whistleblower programs including those administered by the Internal Revenue Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, FinCEN, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Department of Transportation.  Poppy's practice focuses on issues of international corruption and financial misconduct, with a specialty in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and money laundering cases.  She writes and speaks regularly about emerging topics in financial fraud, including sanctions violations, SPACs, and cryptocurrency.We last spoke with Poppy back in July of 2022 when she had already established an impressive track record representing whistleblowers at Constantine Cannon. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 2012. She was the co-editor-in-chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review and an active participant in the Human Rights Clinic, working on issues related to corporate accountability for human rights violations in Africa and military abuses in Southeast Asia. She was awarded the Dean's Award for Community Leadership in recognition for her contributions to the school community. Poppy has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list every year since 2016. Prior to law school, Poppy worked on election reform issues before beginning graduate work at the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied political and critical theory. We've invited Poppy here tonight to talk about her new work, and her new firm, Whisteblower Partners.Topics Discussed Include:Poppy's new law firm, Whistleblower Partners. Why Poppy left her old firm to establish this new legal partnership in March 2024.  She describes a comprehensive approach to whistleblowers and not just file cases. The laws Whistleblower Partners uses in environmental cases and how they have changed since the episode we published in July 2023. Qui tam False Claims Act, SEC, IRS, Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), and various wildlife protection laws. Examples of Whistleblower Partners victories.Pitfalls of whistleblowing and filing lawsuits and administrative tips programs.Further Reading / Support the Show.Visit us at climatemoneywatchdog.org!

Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest running podcast in compliance. In this special edition of the FCPA Compliance Report, we welcome back fan favorite Mary Inman, now at her new firm, Whistleblower Partners LLP, a firm dedicated to assisting whistleblowers navigate various reward programs. Mary joins Tom Fox to discuss what we know so far about the DOJ Whistleblower Incentive Initiative. Mary has a positive perspective on the Department of Justice's (DOJ) White Collar Whistleblower Program. She acknowledges the gaps in existing whistleblower reward programs across multiple agencies and sees the DOJ program as a crucial opportunity to fill these lacunae. Inman's expertise, particularly in the SEC program, allows her to identify specific gaps, such as the lack of financial protections for whistleblowers reporting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations involving companies not publicly listed on US exchanges. From her perspective, the DOJ program will address serious financial crimes, including domestic corruption. Inman also anticipates that the DOJ will establish its own office of the whistleblower, mirroring similar initiatives in other agencies, hence providing both confidential and anonymous reporting avenues. Topics Covered in This Episode: Specialized Law Firm for Whistleblower Reward Programs Financial Crime Reporting Enhancement Initiative Establishing a Central Office for Whistleblowers Championing Transparency: Grassley's Whistleblower Advocacy Wellness Fund Support for Whistleblowers Resources: Mary Inman on LinkedIn Whistleblower Partners LLP Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GUEST 1 OVERVIEW: Commentary and Analysis Writer for Daily Caller Mary Rooke is a Catholic mom of four and author of the Daily Caller's column featuring based takes on modern-day insanities. She also writes analysis for Patriot subscribers. https://twitter.com/MaryRooke_ GUEST 2 OVERVIEW: Guy Lewis is a nationally recognized legal expert in cases involving terrorism, fraud, public corruption, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Immigration, money laundering and other complex criminal matters. He has appeared on national television and radio as an expert in the prosecution and defense of federal criminal matters. From 2003 to 2004, Guy served as the Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys in Washington, D.C., providing guidance and oversight for all 93 United States Attorneys. Prior to serving as Director of EOUSA, Guy served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. GUEST 3 OVERVIEW: Project 21 member Craig DeLuz is the founder of the Uncommon Sense Media Group. He has almost 30 years in media, political advocacy, policy analysis and grassroots activism. He is President & CEO for 2A News Corporation, as well as Spokesman for the California Republican Assembly, the golden state's largest and fastest growing Republican volunteer organization.  

By Adam Turteltaub The FCPA sure isn't what it used to be, or is it? While the headline grabbing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases are much less frequent than they once were, there is still substantial risk both for individuals and companies, as recent dispositions have shown. To understand where things are we sat down with Markus Funk, partner at Perkins Coie and author of the chapter “Anti-Bribery and Corruption Compliance Programs” in The Complete Compliance and Ethics Manual 2024. He explains that just because there aren't cases in the news, doesn't mean all is quiet. There may remain a steady stream of companies self-reporting violations and reaching less-formal agreements with the DOJ. Whatever the trend may be, third parties remain the greatest risk, and the prescription stays the same. You need to know who the third party is and hire them for the right reason: their expertise and track record for success in the right way. Hiring a government official's cousin to help get the deal remains a very bad idea. Another bad idea:  assuming your people are not a risk area. They are. Be sure to be sensitive to internal risks. Train the workforce and work with the finance team to help them serve as an extra sets of eyes when it comes to spotting misconduct. Above all, stay alert and be prepared to investigate possible incidents. Prosecutors still expect companies to bear the brunt of the investigative burden.  

The issues of gifts, hospitality and bribery are increasingly complicated – especially for companies doing business in other countries. The danger of getting caught up in a corruption scandal is damaging, expensive and could be ultimately devastating. But when is a gift considered bribery? How can corruption, or even the perception of corruption, be avoided in business?  In this episode, we highlight some recent bribery scandals, analyse how they could be avoided, and take a deep dive into international anti-corruption laws. Most importantly, we discuss how companies can safely conduct business around the world. We include information on Transparency International's recently released annual report on perceptions of corruption and bribery across the world and explain how it can form a critical part of a company's bribery and corruption risk assessment.  This free episode provides key background info on everything from the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the US to the UK's Bribery Act to the EU's proposed anti-corruption legislation. If your company has any business in a foreign country, including any parts of its supply chain, you'll want to listen to this one. This episode features: A basic understanding of anti-corruption legislation around the world Highlights of recent scandals – and how they could have avoided How you can manage your company's gifts and hospitality policy How to prevent corruption in your business

(0:00) Intro.(1:27) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(2:14) Start of interview.(3:30) Mary's "origin story." (5:32) Her start as a whistleblower lawyer at Philips & Cohen. The advent of US Whistleblower reward programs (CFTC, SEC, IRS, Transportation, Treasury, and DOJ soon).(7:50) The Theranos case and her representation of Tyler Schulz.(14:02) More about the SEC Whistleblower Program. (24:52) The Facebook (Meta) case and her representation of Frances Haugen. On the rise of whistleblowers in Silicon Valley: The Tech Worker Handbook (created by Ifeoma Ozoma, a whistleblower at Pinterest). The Silence No More Act (CA SB 331). Reference to Mark MacGann, the Uber whistleblower.(31:00) On the health hazards to whistleblowers. Reference to New England Journal of Medicine article on impact in whistle-blowers in cases of major health care fraud. Unfortunate death of Boeing Whistleblower. The Personal Toll of Whistle-Blowing (New Yorker Magazine).(37:52) On FCPA cases, and role of whistleblowers in foreign corruption enforced by the SEC and DOJ. Reference to the Billion Dollar Whale book.(47:19) Future trends on whistleblower cases and corporate governance practices (elevation of Chief Compliance Officers).(50:50)  Advice to board members: embrace whistleblowers and encourage speaking up. Reference to this study: Evidence on the Use and Efficacy of Internal Whistleblowing Systems.(52:37) Books that have greatly influenced her life: children books by William Steig (inspired her parenting).(53:17) Her mentor: Lisa Foster.(54:53)  Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." (Martin Luther King, Jr)(55:53) An unusual habit or absurd thing that she loves.(56:18) The living person she most admires: whistleblowers generally, "I call them Truth Tellers and Up Standers".Mary Inman is a partner at Whistleblower Partners LLP, a new boutique law firm specializing exclusively in representing whistleblowers under the various U.S. whistleblower reward programs.  You can follow Evan on social media at:Twitter: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__You can join as a Patron of the Boardroom Governance Podcast at:Patreon: patreon.com/BoardroomGovernancePod__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Daniel Wendt, a member at Miller & Chevalier, discusses the new Foreign Extortion Prevention Act that was signed into law by President Biden in December 2023.  FEPA was designed to prevent extortion by foreign officials and criminalizes the act of foreign officials demanding bribes addressing a potential gap in the FCPA. Here is a link to a recent alert that Miller & Chevalier published on FEPA as well as a link to Daniel's bio and contact information. 

The award winning, Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast which takes a deep dive into a compliance related topic, literally going into the weeds to more fully explore a subject. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode, Tom and Matt take a deep dive into the recent Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement action involving the ERP software giant SAP.  The recent $220 million fine imposed on German software giant, SAP, for violations of the FCPA underscores the critical role of internal audits in maintaining corporate compliance. Despite having a comprehensive FCPA compliance program, SAP's lack of control over its subsidiaries led to bribery activities, a situation that Tom and Matt believe could have been prevented with a robust internal audit function. Fox emphasized the need for strong internal audits to identify and address issues within different parts of an organization. Similarly, Kelly, underscored the importance of internal audits in identifying and rectifying control lapses. To delve deeper into this topic and understand the implications of the SAP case, join Tom Fox and Matt Kelly on this episode of the Compliance into the Weeds.  Key Highlights ·      The bribery schemes and geographic scope ·      What is culture? ·      Third parties and corruption risks ·      The fine and penalty ·      The comeback ·      Lessons learned for the compliance professional Resources Matt on Radical Compliance Tom   Tom on the FCPA Compliance and Ethics Blog Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn For more information on Ethico and a free White Paper on top compliance issues in 2024, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By Adam Turteltaub Matt Kelly (LinkedIn), Editor and CEO at Radical Compliance is a close watcher of all things compliance, and in this podcast he shares his take on both the top stories of 2023 and what he sees in the cards for 2024. FCPA On the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act front, he noted a change in enforcement. While the volume of resolutions declined on the DOJ side, the SEC has remained very active. Perhaps most notably, the Albermarle case had an interesting twist. The way the company did business was changed dramatically as a part of the settlement, he reports, with a restructuring of its overseas sales and the end of the use of third parties. He speculates this may be the start of a new trend in which monetary penalties are accompanied by required changes to the way companies do business. Also of note in FCPA was the announcement by Lisa Monaco at the SCCE Compliance & Ethics Institute of a leniency policy in mergers and acquisitions. Because of the relatively short timeline for finding and disclosing problems, there is a strong incentive for organizations to involve the compliance team early and deeply in these transactions. SEC Cybersecurity Rules The July SEC rules on disclosures of cyber incidents require firms to disclose an incident within four days. Companies will need to describe the nature, timing and material consequences. That will increase the importance of thorough and prompt cyber materiality assessments, as well as both quantitative and qualitative impacts. Greenhouse Gas Disclosures The SEC's proposed rule on greenhouse gas disclosures is now the longest and most commented rule in history. It also has not been finalized while, in the meantime, both California and Europe have passed their own laws. The rule is likely to be very complex and impose a significant burden on companies. Healthcare The biggest news he saw in 2023 was the new General Compliance Program Guidance issued by the Office of Inspector General at HHS. The document makes it clear that it expects a fully independent compliance program. As the document states: The compliance officer should: report either to the CEO with direct and independent access to the board or to the board directly; have sufficient stature within the entity to interact as an equal of other senior leaders of the entity; demonstrate unimpeachable integrity, good judgment, assertiveness, an approachable demeanor, and the ability to elicit the respect and trust of entity employees; and have sufficient funding, resources, and staff to operate a compliance program capable of identifying, preventing, mitigating, and remediating the entity's compliance risks. The Future Looking to the future he asks if others will be as supportive as the OIG at HHS. He also points to other things to watch such as the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act, the PCAOB's extremely controversial NOCLAR proposal and SEC v. Govil, which could eliminate disgorgement in many cases. Listen in to learn more about what has and may happen in the world of compliance.

The Aid Market Podcast, hosted by Mike Shanley, explores USAID growth strategies, including bootstrapping, external investment, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). Guests Keith Ives, CEO of Causal Design, and Santiago Sedaca, President of Empower International Development, share their experiences and insights. Edward Williams,  partner at Williams LLP, joins the conversation to discuss legal considerations in M&A. The discussion concludes with Christy Hollywood, COO of Konektid, who provides a summary of the key takeaways. Throughout the episode, guests share their experiences and insights on regulatory compliance, due diligence, and the importance of relationships in government contracting. The conversation also emphasizes the value of M&A for career opportunities and impactful development work, highlighting the legal and financial considerations involved. Clear communication, cultural fit, and market understanding are highlighted as crucial factors in ensuring successful acquisitions. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:44] Keith Ives reflects on his educational and business background, culminating in his being a founding partner in Causal Design. [06:24] Keith discusses the importance of relationships and attendance at industry events. He also comments on the importance of independent CPA-reviewed financials.  [15:36] When should a firm start sponsoring events?  [18:23] Santiago Sedaca discusses mergers and acquisitions in the USAID market, and he reflects on the acquisition of his company by Palladium.  [25:20] Santiago describes the process of a merger or acquisition and how to prepare for them.  [36:17] Mike asks if localization plays into acquisitions, and Santiago comments on private equity firms buying up small businesses.  [41:46] Keith comments on not being a small business if acquired and doing a test run with contracts. Santiago points out that culture is a factor.  [46:52] Edward Williams describes what happens when a client wants to merge with or acquire another firm and whether there are additional complications if a non-US firm intends to acquire a US firm.   [55:54] Christy Hollywood shares her takeaways from today's conversation.    KEY TAKEAWAYS:  Building strong relationships with prime contractors and key players in the industry is crucial for success in the USAID market. Attending industry events and networking can open doors and create opportunities for collaboration. In USAID contracting and international development, successful mergers hinge on factors like net income, reputation, and strong market relationships. Cultural fit is vital, and post-acquisition success requires careful integration planning. The sector's low net income margins and minimal involvement of investments or private equity present unique challenges in M&A activities. The importance of understanding the "why" behind mergers and acquisitions, as it can be a mission-driven decision, not just a financial one. This understanding can provide opportunities for career advancement and better development work.   RESOURCES: Aid Market Podcast Mike Shanley - LinkedIn Causal Design - Website Keith Ives - LinkedIn Santiago Sedaca - LinkedIn Williams LLP - Website Edward Williams - LinkedIn Konektid - Website Christy Hollywood - LinkedIn   BIOGRAPHIES Santiago Sedaca Executive experience in thriving organizations (CARANA, Palladium, DT Global, Wise Responder) leading strategy, developing top performing teams, and managing large technical, business development and operations teams (1000+ people), producing market-leading financial results and social impact (managed $100 million+ P&L). Expert innovator in international development and commercial strategies in emerging markets, working across a range of disciplines with a strong track record in public-private partnerships, sustainability, innovative finance, private sector development, improved governance and natural resource management. Business Development track record, selling more than $700 million in new projects in the last ten years, with networks within USAID, FCDO, DFAT, MCC, DFC, multilateral agencies, and corporations, having worked in more than forty countries. Edward Williams is a powerful and efficient advocate for his clients. Since 2015, Super Lawyer has rated him a Rising Star in the area of commercial litigation.An experienced attorney with a long history of success in trial practice and transactional matters, T. Edward Williams is a skilled business attorney who have litigated cases involving in variety of business litigation cases, including partnership and shareholder disputes, employment law, uniform commercial code law, oil and gas law, and securities law. Edward is also skilled in bankruptcy and international arbitration matters.Edward has represented American and foreign companies in matters involving the Defend Trade Secrets Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among others. Keith Ives is a project and policy leader passionate about evidence-based decision-making in development economics and humanitarian response. Before bringing the Causal Design team together, he consulted for The World Bank and worked for Georgetown University's Initiative on Innovation, Development, and Evaluation (gui2de) designing mobile phone-based surveys and managing randomized trials in Kenya and Nigeria. Keith has designed evaluations for the Liberian and Rwandan Ministries of Agriculture, executed a growth diagnostic for the Kurdistan Regional Government, coordinated humanitarian responses in Haiti, Nigeria, and the United States, managed economic development projects in Kenya and Burkina Faso, and led Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Christy Hollywood supports Konektid clients and consultants with skills honed during 20+ years of leadership in international development, professional services, and consulting organizations. She led a successful consulting firm of her own for 11 years. Earlier, she served as Vice President for BD of Cardno (a large USAID and MCC contractor, since acquired) and held pivotal business development roles at KPMG's Emerging Markets Group, RTI International, PATH, as well as Fidelity Investments and Noblis. A recognized expert in business development consulting, she's authored several articles and is five-time invited presenter at international conferences on proposal management, competitive intelligence, and business development.  

John is joined by Yixuan Zhu, an Associate in Quinn Emanuel's Beijing office with a unique expertise in both Chinese and American law.  They discuss Yixuan's background studying law and passing the bar in both China and the U.S., including her experience conducting high stakes investigations in China for multinational companies involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws, her decision to join Quinn Emanuel's Shanghai office, and her studies at both Harvard and the University of Indiana.  They also discuss Yixuan's experience in Quinn Emanuel's New York office including representing KKR in a trial over an important real estate transaction and her role in expedited multi-billion dollar litigation in Delaware Chancery Court in the first busted deal case of the Covid era, including her cross-examination of the other side's expert at trial.  Finally, they discuss her experience helping Quinn Emanuel open both its Shanghai and Beijing offices, her status as probably the only Chinese lawyer to have cross-examined a witness in a Delaware Chancery Court trial, and her suggestions to leaders in both countries on how to better understand the other. After this podcast was recorded (but not because of it!), Yixuan was elected to partnership in the firmPodcast Link: Law-disrupted.fmHost: John B. Quinn Producer: Alexis HydeMusic and Editing by: Alexander Rossi

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Inner Edison Podcast! I'm your host, Ed Parcaut, and today we have a fantastic guest joining us, Tom Fox. In today's episode, Tom shares some fascinating insights and experiences that will leave you inspired and motivated. Firstly, Tom discusses the power of starting a daily news podcast and how it can be a game-changer for your own podcast. He shares an interesting story about how he was inspired by a daily basketball news show and applied the concept to a podcast about army veterans with PTSD. Tom encourages creating a daily show that focuses on the struggles, challenges, and successes of your target audience. Next, Tom delves into the world of corporate compliance and anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. He sheds light on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and how he works with companies to build compliance programs to prevent violations. Tom emphasizes that compliance should be seen as a business process, not just a restrictive approach. Throughout the episode, Tom also shares personal anecdotes and reflections on topics like helping veterans, mortgage programs, the perception of the military, and the challenges of podcasting. He opens up about experiencing a life-changing event that taught him invaluable lessons and pushed him to explore new ventures.  Join us as we delve into these thought-provoking discussions with Tom Fox, a renowned expert in compliance and law. This episode promises to provide you with insights, inspiration, and practical tips that you won't want to miss. So grab your headphones and get ready to dive into "Inner Edison" with our special guest, Tom Fox. Let's get started! Find out about our host go to www.edparcaut.com #DailyNewsPodcast #VeteransMatter #ComplianceMatters #HelpingTheBrave #FinancialAdvice #CorporateCompliance #FightCorruption #PodcastingLifeLessons #CourageToWalkThroughDoors #PodcastingSuccess #SubjectMatterExpert #PowerOfAudio #ContentGenerationTool #TalkRadioPopular

Ann Sultan and Alexandra Beaulieu of the law firm Miller & Chevalier came on the show to discuss recent enforcement developments and trends concerning the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Ann is a Partner and Vice Chair of the International Department at the firm and provides public companies and private organizations with advice on a wide range of enforcement, ethics and compliance topics. Alexandra is an Associate at the firm and focuses her practice on the design and implementation of risk-based corporate compliance programs and internal and government investigations. You can find a link to a recent review of FCPA enforcement trends and developments published by the firm here. 

The US Department of Justice Criminal Division has been increasingly vocal about what makes organizations' ethics and compliance programs effective. This input on program effectiveness takes the form of guidance to prosecutors about what questions to ask when companies negotiate to resolve DOJ investigations into corporate wrongdoing on favorable terms. What does this guidance on program effectiveness mean in practice for E&C professionals? In the season 10 premiere of LRN's Principled Podcast, host Susan Divers speaks with John Michelich, who retired last November after 35 years as a federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Listen in as they explore how the DOJ evaluates E&C programs, as well as best practices for companies settling misconduct investigations.  For a full transcript of this podcast, visit the episode page at LRN.com   Guest: John Michelich John Michelich is a retired career prosecutor, who has served at the state, federal, and international levels for 45 years. A native of Illinois, John received his undergraduate education at Illinois Wesleyan University and then attended Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. For 10 years, John served as Assistant State's Attorney and First Assistant State's Attorney in Springfield, Illinois, where he prosecuted all types of state criminal felony violations including armed robbery, aggravated sexual assault and capital murder.    In 1988, John moved to Washington, DC where he began his 35-year career as a prosecutor with the US Department of Justice, Criminal Division. As a federal prosecutor, John has handled a wide variety of cases including child pornography and obscenity, narcotics distribution and all types of white-collar criminal cases. John served for 30 years as a prosecutor with the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division where he handled numerous cases including health care fraud, bank fraud, telemarketing fraud, commodities and securities fraud and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Because Washington DOJ lawyers are traveling prosecutors, John has handled grand jury proceedings or jury trials in more than two dozen federal districts nationwide from Guam and Hawaii to Puerto Rico, and California to New York. Over his long career, John has tried dozens of jury trials to verdict.   In 1998, the Justice Department sent John on loan to the United Nations' International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, also known as the War Crimes Tribunal, in the Hague, Netherlands, where he handled investigations and Tribunal proceedings involving crimes against humanity and serious breaches of the Geneva Convention that occurred during the Yugoslavian civil war.    For over 40 years, John has been an active instructor of Trial Advocacy and has appeared regularly on the faculty of the NITA Trial Practice course offered at Georgetown University Law Center. In addition, John has served as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown, teaching Trial Practice courses to third-year law students. In his retirement, John is available as a legal consultant to trial lawyers to advise them in preparation for jury trials and to consult with corporate counsel concerning internal investigations and to advise them on how to approach the government when there are allegations of wrongdoing, especially foreign bribery.  John is licensed to practice in the states of Illinois and Iowa, and several federal courts, and is a licensed Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.      Host: Susan Divers Susan Divers is a senior advisor with LRN Corporation. In that capacity, Ms. Divers brings her 30+ years' accomplishments and experience in the ethics and compliance area to LRN partners and colleagues. This expertise includes building state-of-the-art compliance programs infused with values, designing user-friendly means of engaging and informing employees, fostering an embedded culture of compliance and substantial subject matter expertise in anti-corruption, export controls, sanctions, and other key areas of compliance. Prior to joining LRN, Mrs. Divers served as AECOM's Assistant General for Global Ethics & Compliance and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. Under her leadership, AECOM's ethics and compliance program garnered six external awards in recognition of its effectiveness and Mrs. Divers' thought leadership in the ethics field. In 2011, Mrs. Divers received the AECOM CEO Award of Excellence, which recognized her work in advancing the company's ethics and compliance program. Mrs. Divers' background includes more than thirty years' experience practicing law in these areas. Before joining AECOM, she worked at SAIC and Lockheed Martin in the international compliance area. Prior to that, she was a partner with the DC office of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal. She also spent four years in London and is qualified as a Solicitor to the High Court of England and Wales, practicing in the international arena with the law firms of Theodore Goddard & Co. and Herbert Smith & Co. She also served as an attorney in the Office of the Legal Advisor at the Department of State and was a member of the U.S. delegation to the UN working on the first anti-corruption multilateral treaty initiative. Mrs. Divers is a member of the DC Bar and a graduate of Trinity College, Washington D.C. and of the National Law Center of George Washington University. In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ethisphere Magazine listed her as one the “Attorneys Who Matter” in the ethics & compliance area. She is a member of the Advisory Boards of the Rutgers University Center for Ethical Behavior and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Institute for Practical Training from 2005-2008. She resides in Northern Virginia and is a frequent speaker, writer and commentator on ethics and compliance topics. Mrs. Divers' most recent publication is “Balancing Best Practices and Reality in Compliance,” published by Compliance Week in February 2015. In her spare time, she mentors veteran and university students and enjoys outdoor activities.  

By Adam Turteltaub When it comes to networking and sharing ideas with other compliance professionals, people tend to think of attending conferences. That's not the only way to do it. In this podcast Steve Pavlicek, Community Engagement Manager at SCCE & HCCA shares the free resources the association provides and how to take advantage of them. First stop are HCCAnet and SCCEnet. They were created to be a social network just for the compliance community. People post and answer questions, share their opinions and even documents. To see all that's there, first login on the SCCE or HCCA site. Next, click the Login button on HCCAnet or SCCEnet. You'll find approximately 40 different communities discussing issues such as auditing and monitoring, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, privacy and more. There are also communities organized by industry. If you're looking for real-time interactions try one of our Meet Ups. You'll find a schedule of them at HCCAnet and SCCEnet. These sessions take place via Teams. The group selects topics to discuss, breaks up into smaller groups for conversation, then returns for further conversation. In addition, there are active LinkedIn groups for SCCE and HCCA. Read the messages there, share insights of your own, or use the group to connect directly with other compliance professionals. In sum, there are a host of vehicles out there for you to connect with and meet the wider compliance community. Be sure to take advantage of all of them.

Robert Riggs is a Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter and digital media entrepreneur. He has also received three coveted Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Journalism Awards for Investigative Reporting. The Peabody and duPont are respectively considered the broadcast TV equivalent of the Oscar and the Pulitzer.Texas A&M University named Robert an Outstanding Alumnus from the College of Architecture in recognition of his journalistic accomplishments. It is a distinction received by fewer than 1% of the College's graduates.Today, Riggs is the host and creator of the True Crime Reporter™ Podcast.During his journalism career, Riggs established a reputation for fairness, accuracy, credibility, and toughness in his reporting for the CBS Television Station Group - CBS 11 News, WFAA-TV (ABC) in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and CBS Viacom reporting from the New York State Legislature. His investigative reports garnered a reputation for helping to send corrupt politicians and government officials to federal prison and were the catalyst for landmark changes in public policy.Riggs was an embedded reporter with the Army unit that led the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and he also covered Gulf War I. His assignments have included covering the White House, Congress, Pentagon, and State Department during the administrations of President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush.He appeared as a guest correspondent on ABC Nightline with Ted Koppel, CNN, and ESPN. CBS 60 Minutes and CBS News Online featured his investigative reports from Iraq. He reported from the “eye of the storm” of major breaking news stories including the mass murder at Luby's Cafeteria in Texas; the Branch Davidian siege in Waco; the Oklahoma City bombing; the standoff with the Republic of Texas separatists, and numerous natural disasters.Riggs' enterprise reporting primarily focused on the criminal justice system and national security with an emphasis on terrorism. In this connection, The University of Virginia Critical Incident Analysis Group and FBI selected Riggs in 2000 as an expert member of a multi-disciplinary panel that examined the architecture of terrorism and the symbolism of its targets. Meeting near the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson, the panel produced a landmark report entitled “Threats to Symbols of American Democracy” that prophetically identified vulnerabilities that would later tragically unfold during the 9-11 attacks.The Dallas Crime Commission awarded its first-ever Excellence in Crime Reporting Award to Riggs for his reporting on identity theft and Mexican Drug Cartels. The American Bar Association awarded him its Silver Gavel award for his investigative series Free To Kill which uncovered systemic corruption inside the Texas parole and prison systems.Prior to his journalism career, Riggs served as an investigator for the late Congressman Wright Patman of Texas who was Chairman of the House Banking Committee, Joint Economic Committee, and Joint Committee on Defense Production.As the Chief Investigator for the Joint Committee on Defense Production, Riggs spearheaded inquiries that touched on Watergate and Pentagon bribery scandals. He reported to the joint leadership of Representative Patman and Senator William Proxmire.In this role, Riggs held a Top Secret security clearance from the Department of Defense and received training from both the GAO and U.S. Army. The Committee's investigation of a defense contractor's bribery scheme contributed to the passage of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.Riggs currently belongs to the FBI's North Texas Chapter of InfraGard which was formed in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. He is also a longtime member of the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE).www.truecrimereporter.com

Chris and Kurt catch up with Jennifer Leete, partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore and author of the newly updated SEC Compliance and Enforcement Answer Book from PLI Press. In the Answer Book, Jennifer and her co-authors draw on their extensive experience serving on the staff at the SEC to answer hundreds of real-world questions on topics such as cooperating with the SEC, handling parallel investigations, the Wells process, and remedies and sanctions; a number of substantive hot topics, like crypto investigations and cybersecurity issues; along with perennial favorites like insider trading, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations, offering fraud, and more.   

Host Gregg N. Sofer welcomes Husch Blackwell partner Cormac Connor to the program to discuss the First Circuit's reversals of the criminal convictions previously handed down in connection with two parents' involvement in the so-called Varsity Blues scandal. Operation Varsity Blues was a joint investigation led by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts into a web of bribery and fraud directed toward college admissions. The investigation was huge, spanning multiple states and involving dozens of individuals, including college coaches, testing administrators, and of course, parents, some of whom were high-profile celebrities and business executives.Of all the parents charged, only two chose to fight the government at trial and through to appeal, and their position was vindicated by the First Circuit. We will explore the strategy pursued by the government and how it unraveled before the appellate court, as well as some the finer points of conspiracy law featured in the case.Gregg N. Sofer BiographyFull BiographyGregg counsels businesses and individuals in connection with a range of criminal, civil and regulatory matters, including government investigations, internal investigations, litigation, export control, sanctions, trade secrets and regulatory compliance. Prior to entering private practice, Gregg served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas—one of the largest and busiest United States Attorney's Offices in the country—where he supervised more than 300 employees handling a diverse caseload, including matters involving complex white-collar crime, contract fraud, national security, cyber-crimes, public corruption, money laundering, export violations, trade secrets, tax, large-scale drug and human trafficking, immigration, child exploitation and violent crime.Cormac Connor BiographyFull BiographyA partner with Husch Blackwell based in Washington, D.C., Cormac has two decades of experience with high-stakes litigation and investigations, both as a prosecutor and as defense counsel. He has advised dozens of clients facing criminal and civil investigations involving all manner of federal criminal investigations, False Claims Act allegations, antitrust allegations, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act claims. Cormac regularly assists clients with responses to formal and informal investigative inquiries, including Grand Jury subpoenas, Office of Inspector General subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and 28 U.S.C. § 1782 subpoenas. Between his stints in private practice, Cormac was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for nearly four years in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, serving as lead prosecutor in 24 criminal trials, investigating hundreds of criminal cases, managing Grand Jury investigations, and coordinating investigative activities by law enforcement personnel.Additional ResourcesConnor, Cormac. “‘Varsity Blues' Reversal Demonstrates Limitations of Conspiracy Allegations.” May 19, 2023.U.S. v. Wilson, case number 22-1138, and U.S. v. Abdelaziz, case number 22-1129, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750 (1946).

In this episode, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the national security damage. When Brennan is hailed as exactly what we want in a public servant. The litany of chargeable crimes.