How to identify and mitigate risks posed by Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Since Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has made it a priority to expand the list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
DOJ secures $118 million penalty in FCPA violation case tied to Guatemalan telecom firm
The parent company of a telecom subsidiary in Guatemala agreed to pay $118.2 million to settle allegations of improper payments made to government officials, but the U.S. Department of Justice chose not to impose a compliance monitor to administer the firm’s compliance with the Foriegn Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Texas gas company found that its merger acquisition paid a cartel-connected entity
A Texas-based gas company has disclosed that a Mexican affiliate made payments to local government officials that may have benefited a cartel designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. government. Entanglement with cartels is an increasing risk for companies doing business in Mexico.
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.
Former Deloitte partner dinged by PCAOB for failures in Bancolombia audit
A former Deloitte partner will pay $75,000 and be barred from working as a public company registered accountant for two years by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board after violating audit standards during a 2016 audit.
DOJ commodities trader FCPA sweep offers lessons in cooperation
The value the Department of Justice places on cooperation can be measured by studying penalties and agreements resulting from the agency’s long-running investigation into bribery and corruption by oil traders operating in Latin America and Africa.
FTC, Latin American countries partner on fighting cross-border fraud
The Federal Trade Commission is partnering with Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to fight cross-border fraud, with other consumer protection authorities invited to join in the future.
Data-driven disruptor Bianca Forde hailed as Compliance Innovator
In just one year, Bianca Forde improved the ethics and compliance program at Otis Elevator Company through collaboration, innovation, and data-driven solutions. Her work earned her the nod as Compliance Innovator of the Year at the 2023 Excellence in Compliance Awards.
Crypto exchange Poloniex to pay $7.6M in OFAC sanctions case
Cryptocurrency exchange Poloniex agreed to pay nearly $7.6 million as part of a settlement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control for engaging with more than 200 customers across a handful of sanctioned regions.
Kingdom Trust fined $1.5M over ‘substantially inadequate’ AML controls
South Dakota-based Kingdom Trust Co. agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for anti-money laundering deficiencies that resulted in violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.