Polite: Voluntary self-disclosure rising since DOJ policy changes

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has seen an uptick in self-reported potential misconduct by corporations since it increased incentives for voluntary disclosure, according to Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr.

In a fireside chat at a conference held by the New York City Bar Association on Wednesday, Polite said corporations have shown more willingness to come forward since February, when the department set a “nationwide standard” for all U.S. attorney’s offices regarding the voluntary self-disclosure of potential corporate misconduct.

Polite, head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, said the agency made the decision to enhance and expand its policy on voluntary self-disclosure because it noticed a downward trend in self-reporting of potential violations.