All SFO articles – Page 5
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Article
Straddling the global enforcement pond
Matthew Reinhard discusses the complexities involved in navigating joint United States, United Kingdom investigations.
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Blog
Combatting fraud is ‘serious business’ at the SFO
DeAnn Orie looks at how companies can fall under the watchful eye of the Serious Fraud Office and what the agency is doing to keep on top of crime.
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Blog
SFO Airbus investigation indicates new normal in financing and compliance
The Serious Fraud Office investigation into Airbus emphasizes the importance of compliance program best practices for borrowers in obtaining funding and loan guarantees, especially in light of the latest trend: government oversight. Tom Fox reports.
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Article
New blood at the Serious Fraud Office
A report from Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has attacked the Serious Fraud Office for being a largely white, all-male board. Paul Hodgson examines the merits of the report and the SFO’s response.
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Blog
SFO general counsel Alun Milford offers details on inner workings of SFO
Image: During remarks at the European Compliance and Ethics Institute conference in Prague, Alun Milford, general counsel for the U.K. Serious Fraud Office, provided some rare insight into the inner workings of the SFO. He also provided some hints on cases that are on the horizon, including “a LIBOR-fixing trial ...
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Blog
SFO brings more charges in Alstom case
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office has brought further charges as part of its ongoing investigation of Alstom Network U.K., a U.K. subsidiary of French engineering company Alstom, this time against Alstom’s country president for the United Kingdom and managing director of Alstom Transport U.K. and Ireland. He is the seventh ...
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Article
U.K. ruling expands scope of anti-corruption enforcement
Image: In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Criminal Division of the U.K. Court of Appeal ruled that bribery of foreign officials was, indeed, illegal prior to 2002, marking a notable victory for the Serious Fraud Office in its escalating battle against bribery and corruption. ““Anybody thinking that prosecution under these pre-Bribery ...
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Blog
U.K. Printing Company to Pay £2.2 Million in Bribery Case
The Southwark Crown Court in London last week ordered U.K. printing company Smith and Ouzman to pay a total of £2.2 million for making corrupt payments. The sentence and conviction followed a four-year investigation by the U.K. Serious Fraud Office.
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Article
Year in Review: Regulatory Enforcement in Europe
Image: For compliance officers in Europe, 2015 has been a big year. Aside from focusing on reporting wrongdoing and promoting a speak-up culture, watchdogs have been keeping compliance practitioners busy with a barrage of regulations that show no sign of easing. As compliance officers wonder to what degree the past ...
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Article
Lessons From the SFO’s First Deferred-Prosecution Agreement
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office struck its first-ever deferred-prosecution agreement with Standard Bank in November, giving companies some much-needed guidance on how to disclose misconduct. The SFO’s decision to use DPAs is part of a larger undertaking to put a quick end to corporate criminal cases and encourage cooperation between ...
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Blog
SFO: Sweett Group Admits to Bribery
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office this week confirmed that Sweett Group, a British property management, construction and surveying company, admitted to violating the Bribery Act, regarding conduct in the Middle East. The resolution would mark the SFO’s first conviction since enactment of the Bribery Act in 2011. More inside.
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Blog
First DPA Under U.K. Bribery Act
Image: On Monday the U.K. Serious Fraud Office announced its first deferred-prosecution agreement under the Bribery Act for bribes ICBC Standard Bank Plc paid to government officials in Tanzania intended to sway their favor toward a proposed $600 million private placement. Inside, our anti-corruption blogger Tom Fox explores what lessons ...
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Blog
ICBC Standard Bank Gets First U.K. Deferred Prosecution Agreement
ICBC Standard Bank has become the recipient of Britain's first deferred prosecution agreement, the U.K. Serious Fraud Office announced today. The bank will pay a total of $32.6 million in fines and repayments of bribery payments resulting from allegations of bribery in Tanzania. “This landmark DPA will serve as a ...
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Blog
CW Europe: A View From the U.K. Serious Fraud Office
Image: The general counsel of Britain’s Serious Fraud Office, speaking at the Compliance Week Europe conference in Brussels this week, said the SFO hopes to have several deferred-prosecution agreements in place by the end of this year for companies the agency has been investigating for misconduct. Alun Milford provided no ...
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Blog
Soma Oil & Gas Faces Corruption Probe by SFO
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office recently announced that it has opened a criminal investigation into London-based Soma Oil & Gas Holdings relating to allegations of corruption in Somalia. Soma Oil & Gas confirmed that it has been informed by the agency of the investigation. More inside.
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Article
Lessons From the BHP Billiton Case
Image: If compliance officers needed another reminder that the FCPA’s books-and-records provisions are still a dangerous trap for global businesses, look no further than the SEC’s recent $25 million fine against BHP Billiton. Observers say it offers valuable lessons in the SEC’s expansive interpretation of the law. “A check-the-box compliance ...
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Blog
SFO Brings Corruption Charges Against Former Alstom Compliance Executive
Image: Title: LainéBritain’s Serious Fraud Office has filed corruption charges against a former head of ethics and compliance at Alstom, the beleaguered French firm subject to anti-bribery investigations in multiple countries. The charges against Jean-Daniel Lainé stem from bribes Alstom allegedly paid in the 2000s to supply trains to the ...
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Blog
SFO: Alstom to Face More Criminal Charges
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office recently announced that it has brought fresh charges against Alstom Network U.K. and an Alstom employee in phase three of its ongoing investigation. The latest charges concern allegations of corruption for the supply of trains to the Budapest Metro. Details inside.
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Article
Lessons to Learn From the Alstom Fiasco
The record $772 million criminal penalty reached between the Justice Department and French power and transportation giant Alstom is yet another real-life example of corporate governance gone haywire. Abounding with cover-ups and an overall lack of due diligence, “The Alstom case is the antithesis of the hallmarks of an effective ...