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.
FDIC eases leverage rules for banks, citing lower risk burdens
The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued a final rule to change the leverage capital requirements for both large and community banks. The agency said the modification will ”reduce disincentives a banking organization may have to engage in lower-risk activities.”
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.
SEC dismisses SolarWinds case tied to 2020 cyberattack
The dismissal of charges against SolarWinds for alleged cybersecurity lapses related to a 2020 Russian cyberattack in 2020 are the latest in a continuing pattern of leniency for corporations by the Trump administration.
Part Two: FCPA cases closed by DOJ, SEC since January
Since the start of the Trump Administration, the Department of Justice has been winding down a number of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations with little public attention. This second article further explores how and why these FCPA matters have been closed.
FCC rolls back Biden-era cybersecurity requirements for telecoms
Telecommunication companies are now on the honor system to protect their networks from cyber attacks, following a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote that removed requirements that they harden their networks.
CFPB shutdown appears imminent, enforcement transferred to DOJ
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is reportedly transferring its enforcement caseload to the DOJ, one of multiple indicators telegraphing its eminent shutdown.
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.
U.S. Treasury faces new pressure over unreleased Epstein bank records
The release of thousands of emails written by Jeffrey Epstein has sparked a political storm. One Democratic Senator is ramping up pressure for the U.S. Treasury to also disclose the deceased financier’s bank records.
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).
Compliance concerns surface at Fannie Mae following internal probe
A probe into Fannie Mae uncovered compliance and governance concerns involving FHFA director Bill Pulte and other senior officials. The result, so far at least, was not to address the concerns uncovered but to fire staff in Fannie Mae’s ethics and internal investigations unit.
California may create whistleblower program to root out privacy law violations
A California privacy agency plans to seek a whistleblower law, to encourage corporate employees and others to step forward with complaints about egregious privacy violations at their workplaces.
CFPB proposes changes to equal credit opportunity act rules
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule change that would narrow anti-discrimination requirements for the financial industry. This comes as the Trump administration attempts to shutter the agency may finally come to pass.
DOJ dismisses indictment against Cassava advisor amid legal flaws
The DOJ dropped a June 2024 indictment against a Cassava Sciences advisor, closing a case tied to an alleged short-selling scheme and related government probes. The case was criticized for fundamental flaws in evidence and legal procedures.
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.
FinCEN flags $9 billion in Iranian shadow-banking activity, citing SARs filings from U.S. banks
Approximately $9 billion of potential shadow-banking flows tied to Iranian networks in 2024, according to a new analysis from FinCEN. The report highlights how illicit funds are making their way through financial institutions as they meet the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
Compliance survey shows clawback policies and cooperation tools largely unused
Many companies have strong compliance policies to encourage cooperation with regulators and hold staff accountable, but these policies are rarely used, and cooperation often depends on cost and business benefit, according to a new survey of compliance professionals.
OCC proposes dropping its ‘recovery plan’ requirements for big banks
Less than a year after a new rule required more of the U.S.’s biggest banks to draft “recovery” plans in case of failure, the rule is on its way out.
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.
Agentic AI and the policy blind spot: Why security can’t wait
The current AI policy and regulation landscape is still emerging globally. While some regulations and standards exist, governments, industry, and security leaders have critical gaps to close, especially around agentic artificial intelligence.
CFPB ends probe into Meta’s financial advertising practices
Meta says it is no longer under investigation by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the latest instance of the agency scaling back enforcement under President Donald Trump.
Navigate SEC cautiously during shutdown, experts advise
The U.S. government shutdown has brought most operations at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to a screeching halt, but that doesn’t mean compliance teams should be taking a breather, experts advised.
Texas sues Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue over alleged misleading marketing of Tylenol
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued two pharmaceutical companies for ”deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant mothers” despite risks linked to autism. The filing came two days before HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to walk back the claims.
CFPB scraps bad-actor registry, citing cost-benefit issues
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shut down a registry of non-bank financial firms that broke consumer laws. The agency cites the costs being ”not justified by the speculative and unquantified benefits to consumers.”
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.
California climate rules cause uncertainty as CARB delays draft guidance
California has delayed the release of draft greenhouse gas reporting rules for businesses until early 2026, the California Air Resources Board said.
Nine states collaborating on data privacy enforcement across state lines
Nine states are collaborating to write and enforce comprehensive data privacy laws, in an effort to protect consumers across jurisdictions and due to the absence of a broad, federal privacy law.
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.
Binance’s Changpeng Zhao receives presidential pardon from Trump
The founder of crypto exchange Binance, Changpeng Zhao, received a pardon from President Donald Trump. This pardon comes almost two years after Zhao signed a plea agreement and was sentenced to a four-month prison sentence.
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.
NYDFS to firms: apply cybersecurity rules to third-parties
The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) wants financial firms to step up their game when it comes to third parties and cybersecurity.
Extra-territorial rules: How to navigate global compliance complexity
Sanctions, tariffs, economic crime, big tech, data privacy, and environmental laws are expanding global compliance risks. Tougher penalties now reach deep into supply chains, making even small suppliers accountable to customers or regulators.
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.
Soaring costs of car loan compensation in U.K. highlight global risks from poor sales practices
U.K. motor finance companies are preparing to pay billions in compensation after a Supreme Court ruling found they sold unfair car loans over many years, failing to disclose key information and denying consumers the chance to compare deals or negotiate.
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.
U.S. targets southeast Asian “pig butchering”, human trafficking, forced labor empire
This week, U.S. authorities took coordinated action against Cambodian multinational conglomerate Prince Holding Group and its 37-year-old founder Chen Zhi, who is accused of running forced-labor camps in Cambodia where captives were forced to conduct pig butchering scams that defrauded U.S. and global victims out of billions of dollars.
Nasdaq: A majority of financial firms plan to use AI in compliance this year
About 36 percent of financial firms are using artificial intelligence in compliance, and most firms intend to ramp up their reliance on AI in compliance in the next 12 months, according to a new survey by Nasdaq.
Navigating HHS and FDA’s overhaul of the food and beverage industry
Under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration have been hellbent on eliminating synthetic food dyes from food and beverage products, forcing a jarring and costly overhaul with cascading impacts on the operations of the entire industry.
U.K. financial regulator looks to streamline audit enforcement procedures
Auditors are supposed to keep businesses honest, but how much regulation is the optimum for the auditors – and how onerous and punitive should the enforcement regime be? A new consultation by the U.K. regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, opened on Oct. 1 and has put the vexed question of ...
Employee faith in whistleblowing programs wanes when companies act selectively
Whistleblowing hotlines are rightly championed as valuable tools for employees and even third parties to raise concerns about corporate conduct. But it seems some complaints may be acted upon more keenly than others, particularly if blame can be pinned to one individual and any potential fallout can be ring-fenced.
How food and beverage companies adjust to the throes of tariff woes
On-again-off-again tariffs, a down economy, and a long list of global supply chain disruptions are challenging U.S. food and beverage companies to adjust their supply chain operations in a variety of ways.
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.
PCAOB’s Christina Ho: How emerging technologies could improve audit quality
Emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics, can improve audit quality in significant ways. As the regulatory overseer of public-company audits, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has a critical role to play by ensuring that its audit standards evolve as the audit profession evolves.
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.