U.S. sees steep drop in penalties in 2025, while fines elsewhere increase
Firms worldwide got a break in 2025 on penalties for anti-money laundering (AML) failures, a new report has found.
FTC puts GM’s puts connected vehicle data practices under compliance spotlight
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission finalized its order against General Motors and its OnStar subsidiary over the improper usage of geolocation and driving behavior data of drivers.
Kaiser plans pay $556M to settle Medicare upcoding allegations
Kaiser Health affiliates have agreed to pay more than $556 million to settle allegations originally made by whistleblowers that they ignored compliance department warnings and unlawfully reworked diagnoses for Medicare patients in order to receive higher payments from the federal government.
Venezuela military intervention highlights critical resources as a new compliance hotspot
President Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela has sent a message across the world that he regards resources as critical to U.S. national security and will act to secure them. In Venezuela, this primarily means crude oil reserves. However, oil is not the only valuable resource in the U.S. sights.
FTC files contempt against credit card processor Cliq for alleged ongoing compliance failures
The Federal Trade Commission asked a court to hold the payment processor Cliq in contempt for allegedly “flagrantly” violating a 2015 order that the company monitor transactions for illegal charges and activity.
CFPB, DOJ withdraw guidance to lenders considering borrowers’ immigration status
Two months after the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a rule change to narrow anti-discrimination requirements for lenders, it has reversed previous guidance on noncitizen customers looking to borrow.
SEC drops all charges against former Rio Tinto CFO related to coal valuation
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its case against Rio Tinto’s former chief financial officer, who has battled charges for eight years.
Owner of medical supply company faces 35 years for alleged false claims, kickbacks
The owner of a medical supply company allegedly billed federal health programs $30 million for items that were unnecessary and tainted by kickbacks, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Former TD branch manager admits laundering $92 million for gift card bribes
A former TD Bank assistant branch manager in New York was instrumental in helping a $653 million drug money laundering operation, known as “David’s Network,” wash dirty money through the bank, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Teledyne fined $1.5M for supplying obsolete parts to Navy
Teledyne will pay more than $1.5 million to settle allegations it supplied electronic parts to the Navy that deviated from specifications, a violation of the False Claims Act (FCA). But its cooperation with prosecutors earned it a credit, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Top Ethics and Compliance Triumphs of 2025
This year’s compliance triumphs were all born out of compliance fails. In some cases, it was a regulator finding fault and demanding change. In others, acquiring companies noticed something a little fishy in their new acquisition. What formed a compliance triumph in every case wasn’t the mistake; it was the ...
What 2025’s AI mishaps should teach compliance in 2026
If 2025 was the year generative AI took off in organizations in every sector, it was also the year we saw increasing examples of the risks of AI mishaps.
Retail energy compliance must focus on resilience and reporting
Cybercrime and national critical infrastructure responsibilities are key concerns for retail energy sector compliance. Resilience is vital for companies that keep the lights on and power financial institutions and hospitals.
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’s $60 million Instacart case puts misleading fees in the spotlight
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission settled with grocery delivery giant Instacart over accusations of deceptive billing and subscription practices.
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.
Trump tirade against DEI turns to proxy advisors and shareholder proposals
President Donald Trump has directed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review—and remove—any SEC rules or guidance that allow proxy advisors to influence business practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.
Trump takes aim at state AI laws, promises federal action on AI legislation
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the artificial intelligence (AI) laws of California, Colorado and three other states with comprehensive laws.
FINRA annual regulatory report offers AI guidance, points to significant risks
Financial firms seeking guidance on AI, the threat of cyberattacks, market manipulation, or fraud targeting senior clients can turn to annual guidance issued by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Crypto network Paxful will plead guilty to BSA violations, pay $4M fine, shut down
Paxful, a crypto peer-to-peer network, will plead guilty to multiple federal criminal charges related to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), among others. The plea agreement follows years of scrutiny from regulators over anit-money laundering (AML) compliance failures.
CFPB humility pledge reshapes exam process, as agency faces uncertain future
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Supervision Division introduced a new “humility pledge” last month that examiners will read aloud at the start of each oversight engagement. It’s another shift in how the organization handles itself under the Trump administration.
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.
Pharma sector boom puts pressure on compliance to counter financial crime
Regulation is a matter of life and death in the pharmaceutical industry. Rules to combat practices that can kill have been in force for decades, but tech developments are rapidly creating new risks and focusing lawmakers’ attention on areas where some compliance teams may lack experience.
Costco sues federal government over Trump-era tariffs, seeks refund rights
Wholesale retailer Costco would like a tariff refund from the U.S. government, if the U.S. Supreme Court rules that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority by imposing them.
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.
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).