Tariff evasion enforcement: The new FCPA
Companies that import goods into the United States will face heightened enforcement scrutiny for attempted acts of customs fraud, including tariff evasion, under the Trump administration. Thus, chief compliance officers and in-house counsel face a new kind of pressure to ensure they are mitigating risk in this area.
Former COO of plastics importer faces up to five years for customs falsifications
The chief operating officer of a plastic resin importer has pleaded guilty to intentionally falsifying documents to avoid paying tariffs on goods from China, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Cybercrime against banks and account holders takes hit from FBI
Federal investigators have announced progress in dismantling an online criminal operation that steals bank account information by mimicking legitimate bank websites.
Former CEO of online health company ordered to pay $452M for nearly $2B in fraud
The former founder and chief executive of a health internet company will spend 15 years in prison and pay $452 million after being found guilty of a sprawling scheme that sought about $1.9 billion in false payments from Medicare, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
FTC suit against Uber gains traction with 21 states and DC joining in
The Federal Trade Commission allegations against Uber, alleging deceptive billing and subscription cancellations, have snowballed, with 21 states and the District of Columbia joining the lawsuit.
Top Ethics and Compliance Failures of 2025
The 2025 year has been so rich with compliance stinkers, and rife with poor judgment, compliance missteps, outright malfeasance and greed, greed, greed, that it was almost impossible to choose just six epic compliance failures from this year’s massive poop pile.
SEC exam priorities for 2026 signal heightened focus on firmwide compliance
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Examinations released its 2026 examination priorities, which give companies a roadmap of areas of heightened risk and regulatory focus for next year.
San Francisco firm pays $11.4M for alleged Russia-related sanctions violations
A San Francisco-based private equity firm has agreed to pay $11.4 million to settle allegations it violated U.S. sanctions rules by handling investments for a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Company agrees to report to FTC for 10 years for alleged student data lapses
A tech company that stores student information for schools has agreed to implement a data security program and report to the Federal Trade Commission for 10 years, after security failures led to data for 10 million students being breached.
Large wound care practice pays $45M, agrees to monitoring
One of the largest wound care practices in the nation and its founder have agreed to pay $45 million and be subjected to third-party monitoring, to settle allegations that the business intentionally overbilled Medicare by priming its electronic medical records system to do so.
Former CEO of steel pipe maker indicted for allegedly defrauding investors of $66M
A former chief executive of a large steel pipe manufacturer has been accused by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of defrauding more than $66 million from a bank and investors.
Russian web company that hosted LockBit ransomware sanctioned
Two Russian web-hosting services that provide cover for ransomware operators, including Lockbit, have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC and international partners.
Nursing home chain and former CEO pay $146M each for federal health fraud
A New Jersey and Midwest nursing home chain, and its former chief executive, must pay more than $146 million each for extensive health care fraud for engaging in widespread fraud related to Medicare and Medicaid.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield pays $100M to settle state false claims allegations
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has agreed to pay $100 million to settle allegations that its 2020 contract with the state was fraudulent, according the state’s Attorney General.
FinCEN cuts off 10 Mexican casinos from U.S. financial system for laundering cartel drug money
Ten Mexican cartels will be severed from the U.S. financial system for laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel criminal organization, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
U.K. outlines AI sandbox plan as regulators weigh compliance risks
The U.K. has set out a new blueprint for AI regulation, which aims to slash bureaucracy and ramp up the safe adoption of new and emerging technology to unlock potential and boost investment.
Former Capula CCO alleges misconduct and retaliation at the hedge fund firm
The former U.S. chief compliance officer of hedge fund firm Capula Investment Management has blown the whistle against his former employer, alleging he was terminated for raising concerns about improper expensing practices.
FINRA fines First Trust $10M for allegedly giving too-generous gifts to brokers
First Trust Portfolios has been fined $10 million by FINRA for allegedly providing excessive meals, gifts, and other incentives to broker-dealers.
Q&A with former FCPA Unit chief Charles Duross on the DOJ’s monitorship policy
Compliance Week recently interviewed Charles Duross, former Chief of the DOJ’s Fraud Section’s FCPA Unit, to talk about the Department of Justice’s recently revised monitorship policy.
Compliance officers accused of helping criminals run $346 million international payment fraud network
Four U.S. citizens were arrested in California Wednesday in connection with a massive, $346 million international credit card fraud scheme based in Germany, in which compliance officers were allegedly complicit, according to the DOJ.
Sanctions, money-laundering and supply chains top agenda for energy sector compliance
The energy sector faces rising regulatory activity, with more rules and enforcement. Bribery, corruption, and sanctions now dominate compliance concerns, driving rapid change and pressure on compliance officers.
Senate Democrats question Vought on comments about closing CFPB in months
Senate Democrats warned OMB Director Russell Vought Tuesday that it would be illegal for the Trump administration to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, citing a recent court decision barring actions that could severely harm the agency.
Assessing the impact of the DOJ’s monitorship policy six months in
It has been nearly six months now since the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division released its memorandum on the selection of compliance monitors. This article provides a critical analysis of the monitorships that received early terminations, those that remain in place, and the broader compliance lessons they impart.
OCC drops $10M fine against former Wells Fargo risk officer fingered in “fake accounts” scandal
A former Wells Fargo risk officer previously ordered to pay $10 million by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for her alleged role in the bank’s “fake accounts” scandal is completely off the hook, according to an OCC consent order issued Tuesday.
NY auto insurers on the hook for $19M for cybersecurity violations
Eight auto insurers failed to meet the requirements of New York’s cybersecurity regulations during widespread online attacks in 2021 and will pay $19 million under consent orders with the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
Smartmatic faces DOJ charges amid allegations of election contract bribes
Three executives of a multinational voting machine company in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump since 2020 have been indicted in Florida by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly paying $1 million in bribes to the Philippines top election official.
SEC reportedly investigating MassMutual’s accounting amid ongoing government shutdown
Even though the U.S. federal government is currently shut down, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission appears to still be at work. The financial regulator is reportedly investigating a major insurance and asset management company over its accounting practices.
Oct 14 | CPE Webcast: Navigating Evolving Banking Regulations in the U.S. and Canada
U.S. Banking regulators have moved to loosen traditional regulation and supervision in areas like capital requirements, stress testing and liquidity, while also being more receptive to innovation in areas including Artificial Intelligence and digital assets.
Former startup CEO gets 7 years in prison for $175M fraud against JPMorgan Chase
Charlie Javice, a former CEO who duped JPMorgan Chase into purchasing her start up company for $175 million, has been ordered to forfeit more than $22 million by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and to spend 7 years in jail.
Georgia Tech to pay $875,000 for allegations brought by compliance officers
Georgia Tech Research Corp. (GTRC) has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle allegations first raised by two compliance officers that its cybersecurity protocols violated acceptable standards for defense contractors, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
Tractor Supply Company hit with $1.35M fine for alleged California privacy violations
Tractor Supply Company has agreed to get into compliance with California’s consumer privacy law and to pay a $1.35 million fine—the largest yet by California—to settle allegations it violated the privacy rights of customers and job applicants.
LuminUltra fined $685K by BIS for illegal shipment to Iran
A single $33,000 shipment to Iran triggered a six-figure penalty and years of compliance oversight for biotechnology company LuminUltra Technologies, Inc.
FTC secures $5.7M settlement after business data provider repeatedly broke compliance order
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused business credit reporting company Dun & Bradstreet of failing to comply with the commission’s 2022 order.
CFPB Ends Oversight of Washington Federal and Planet Home Lending
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) terminated two consent orders with mortgage lenders in September as the agency’s enforcement power shrinks under Trump-era cuts.
Tracing Illicit Crypto: How to leverage blockchain analytics for effective AML compliance
Cryptocurrency’s transparency can be exploited for laundering, ransomware, and darknet activity. Blockchain analytics helps trace funds and flag suspicious behavior.
Amazon to pay $2.5 billion in FTC settlement over 'deceptive' Prime sign-ups
Amazon settled a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Thursday over allegedly enrolling consumers into its Amazon Prime subscription and making it difficult to cancel. The FTC says the amount of the settlement is one of the biggest in its history.
Australian banks’ record fines for compliance failures highlight role of culture in compliance
Two of the biggest banks in Australia are under fire for major compliance and cultural failings. ANZ and National Australia Bank are facing intense scrutiny over misconduct ranging from mistreating customers to underpaying staff.
Supreme Court allows Trump to remove FTC commissioner ahead of final ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed President Trump to remove a Federal Trade Commission commissioner without cause on Monday, setting up a final battle over whether he can dismiss commissioners despite congressional rules.
Board chair of Puerto Rico bank helped its collapse by siphoning millions
The board chair of a failed Puerto Rican bank played a key role in its $92 million collapse by robbing it of more than $13.6 million, the Department of Justice said Monday.
Sept 23 | Decoding DOJ’s Recent Guidance on FCPA Enforcement
Join this timely and practical webinar as we break down the DOJ’s latest FCPA guidance and explore what these developments mean for compliance programs in the real world.
Bank of America Securities avoids prosecution over market manipulation case
The DOJ announced Thursday that it has declined to prosecute Bank of America Securities over lapses related to a spoofing scheme conducted by two former employees that went on for almost seven years.
Florida seafood exec faces 10 years for crab claw price fixing
A Florida seafood company executive has pleaded guilty to conspiring with competitors to fix the prices he paid to local fishers, an effort that impacted more than $8 million in wholesale fish and cut the pay of hundreds of fishers, the Department of Justice said.
Former U.S. clothing business CEO faces 25 years for bribery in Honduras
The former CEO of a Georgia clothing business faces 25 years in prison for bribing Honduran officials to win $10 million in uniform contracts in Honduras, after being caught up in a Department of Justice Anticorruption Task Force.
FTC orders AI firms to disclose safeguards for children and teens
AI chatbots are increasingly used by children and teens, prompting the FTC to order seven AI companies to explain how they monitor potential harms to minors.
DOJ sues Uber over alleged discrimination against disabled riders
The DOJ sued Uber Thursday, alleging it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying people with disabilities equal access to its services.
EU targets crypto, fintech firms in push to tackle money laundering
Europe’s banking regulator warns that weak compliance at fintech, regtech, and crypto firms may let money laundering and terrorist financing risks slip through. The EBA also found EU regulators’ approaches are often inconsistent and unclear.
California, Colorado, and Connecticut launch joint crackdown on privacy violators
California, Colorado, and Connecticut launched a joint enforcement sweep against businesses that fail to honor consumers’ online opt-out requests, the states announced Tuesday.
Google hit with $425.6 million verdict in California privacy case
Google allegedly collected personal data from mobile devices without permission, violating California privacy laws, a jury ruled in awarding more than $425.6 million to class-action plaintiffs.
Freight forwarder fined $1.6M after using OFAC-blocked Venezuelan, Iranian carriers
A Houston-based freight forwarder, Fracht FWO Inc., will pay $1.6 million for violating U.S. sanctions tied to Venezuela and Iran, according to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The fine comes as OFAC ramps up enforcement in recent months.
CFTC clears deck of ‘compliance’ enforcement actions to focus on fraud
BNY, Citigroup, Santander, UBS, and two other financial institutions paid a total of $8.3M to settle separate compliance violations with the CFTC.