Tom Fox

Allegations of bribery can come to light in many ways, but one way not usually mentioned—that was prominently featured last week—is through news reports. This time the media outlet was the BBC, and the allegations were that bribery at British American Tobacco Co. had occurred in violation of the Bribery Act. Our Man From FCPA, Tom Fox, reviews what was exposed and the potential consequences for BAT.

Image: On Monday the U.K. Serious Fraud Office announced its first deferred-prosecution agreement under the Bribery Act for bribes ICBC Standard Bank Plc paid to government officials in Tanzania intended to sway their favor toward a proposed $600 million private placement. Inside, our anti-corruption blogger Tom Fox explores what lessons U.S. compliance officers might glean from the sanction.

When thinking through an FCPA risk assessment, one thing usually not considered adequately is a company’s sales culture. To see the consequences of that, one need look no further than GSK’s corruption troubles in China—but, CW blogger Tom Fox writes, the reforms GSK has implemented with its sales force are just as telling, too. Our Man From FCPA has more inside.

Image: One lesson from the FIFA corruption scandal is that when the U.S. government comes knocking, it requires a serious and thoughtful response. So far, now-suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left) has responded in a way decidedly not serious and thoughtful. Our anti-corruption blogger Tom Fox takes a closer look at how companies should behave when U.S. authorities visit, whether the company likes it or not. More inside.

Image: A study by the Cranfield School of Management has identified five key concepts for companies to employ toward effective risk management. In a nutshell: anticipate problems; have adequate resources; flow information to the board; respond quickly to any incidents; and learn from the past. CW’s Tom Fox has more inside.

Image: Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates (left) and Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell talked last week about what they, and more importantly the Justice Department overall, expect from companies that want to receive as much credit as possible when embroiled in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation. What companies should do: voluntarily self-disclose, fully cooperate, timely and appropriate remediate—is it that easy? CW’s FCPA blogger Tom Fox explores further inside.

Image: When can advertising violate the FCPA? That might not be a question often on the minds of compliance officers. The ongoing FIFA corruption scandal, however, demonstrates that any expenditure going out of a corporation may well need to be considered from an anti-bribery angle. Tom Fox, our Man From FCPA, has more.