DOJ targets $14.6B in health care fraud with focus on transnational crime
Emerging enforcement priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice’s health care fraud division align with the Trump administration’s emphasis on prosecuting transnational criminal organizations and ending opioid trafficking.
FinCEN bars three Mexican financial institutions for aiding cartels in fentanyl trade
Three Mexican financial institutions will be barred from transacting with U.S.-based banks after a U.S. Treasury agency determined that the institutions allowed their networks to aid the illegal fentanyl trade of Mexican criminal organizations.
Federal Reserve Board drops reputational risk from exams, aligning with OCC and FDIC shift
Bank examiners at the Federal Reserve Board will no longer assess reputational risk during examinations, a concession to the banking industry already underway with two other U.S. regulators.
Bribery risk elevated, experts say, as DOJ narrows FCPA enforcement
When the U.S. Department of Justice announced a six-month enforcement pause of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in February, many speculated that the risks posed by bribery had been lowered. So when the DOJ said last week that it would resume launching FCPA investigations, it may just seem like ...
After a six-month enforcement pause, DOJ will again pursue FPCA investigations
The Department of Justice has ended its six-month FCPA enforcement pause, closed half its legacy bribery cases, and will now pursue foreign bribery probes aligned with President Donald Trump’s priorities.
Communication and relationships is increasingly critical for compliance teams
Compliance is increasingly in the spotlight as companies are tackling everything from artificial intelligence and other new technologies to risk management and mitigation. But it’s soft skills of communication and relationship building that are becoming the most critical tools for success.
Technology advancements are making export controls more important than ever
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a war with unusual implications: The U.S. has stepped up sanctions and export controls. But companies are increasingly learning that the most seemingly innocuous products can find themselves in “dual use,” as a product for daily life and a product for war. A gyroscope ...
ESG goes beyond politics: Vendor management, forced labor, sustainability
ESG is no longer in vogue. But its issues still are.
TPRM has become the business continuity plan in turbulent times
Global supply chains are constantly in flux: crucial vendors could suddenly go bankrupt, fail to produce key components without warning, or even lose your firm’s data in a breach. The result has drawn ever more attention to third-party risk management as a critical element of many businesses.
UK regulator’s efforts to coax self-reporting fraud could fall flat, experts warn
To both clean up corporate behaviour and rack up its own enforcement record, the UK’s anti-bribery agency has seemingly largely guaranteed companies a pass from prosecution if they spill the beans on their misconduct. There’s only one problem: experts believe businesses may still stand a better outcome if they front ...
Coinbase faces a leftover SEC probe as crypto enforcement loses steam
After dismissing its lawsuit against the crypto exchange Coinbase in March, a second investigation into the exchange by the Securities and Exchange Commission has surfaced, according to a report from the New York Times. This comes as a bit of a surprise after the Trump administration has been scaling down ...
UBS to pay $511 million fine over Credit Suisse tax case, exposing compliance gaps
A significant settlement in a U.S. tax fraud case against Credit Suisse contains numerous compliance lessons related to beneficial ownership and due diligence in mergers and acquisitions.
In continuing re-evaluation of FCPA cases, DOJ ends Albemarle FCPA reporting
The Department of Justice has ended another FCPA-related compliance action more than a year early. This scaling back of regulatory enforcement by the federal government has been a growing trend since the start of the Trump administration.
Under intense pressure, former DOJ Polite says it’s compliance’s time to shine
Like never before in modern American history, ethics and compliance are under attack.
How to convince companies about compliance during deregulation
At some point, many compliance professionals say they’ve met an executive who approached their role dismissively. “I don’t want to talk about anything that doesn’t bring money in the door,” one attendee remembers a senior executive saying to them.
Our rapidly changing world still needs thoughtful compliance, now more than ever
Sometimes, it feels like the only thing that’s certain is that tomorrow will be different from today. For an industry that’s focused on rules, regulations, and ethics, that lack of consistency can seem overwhelming. That’s why the next few days will matter so much.
Glencore compliance monitorships ended early by DOJ
The U.S. Department of Justice ended two compliance monitorships on Glencore International more than a year early, monitorships imposed in 2022 after the company was convicted of paying bribes and manipulating commodities markets.
Trump’s pivot on crypto leads SEC to seek settlement with Gemini
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s pivot in favor of crypto took another step as the agency indicated it wants to resolve a long-standing lawsuit against the crypto exchange Gemini.
OFAC, FinCEN tighten screws on Sinaloa Cartel’s money laundering network
The Trump administration has taken two actions to attack money laundering rings operating in Mexico, highlighting the U.S. government’s focus on curbing the fentanyl trade and the illegal profits it generates.
Treasury reversal of OFAC sanctions against Tornado Cash signals eroding AML scrutiny
The U.S. Treasury Department lifted its sanctions against cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash on Friday after a federal appeals court ruled in November the penalty levied by the agency’s Office of Foreign Assets Control was an overreach.
FinCEN drops BOI requirement for U.S. companies, persons
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final interim rule that eliminates beneficial ownership information reporting obligations for U.S.-based companies and persons.
Expert: Treasury’s move to ‘narrow’ BOI requirements would gut AML law
The U.S. Treasury’s effort to dramatically narrow the focus of the Corporate Transparency Act through “emergency” rulemaking would gut the law’s anti-money laundering efforts, a transparency expert said.
Robinhood pays $30M in fines, restitution for faulty AML program, customer disclosures
Robinhood will pay nearly $30 million in penalties for violating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority rules with shortcomings in its anti-money launderingprogram, as well as supervisory and disclosure violations.
Two senators want to know: What’s the legal basis for suspending enforcement of the CTA?
Two senators behind the Corporate Transparency Act have demanded that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent justify his suspension of one of the law’s anti-money laundering requirements.
Why are CFOs struggling to stay compliant?
CFOs are tasked with overseeing an organization’s entire financial processes, not least ensuring that financial operations remain compliant with the multitude of global regulations. It’s a heavy burden to carry that might be alleviated slightly with the help of artificial intelligence, writes Markus Hornburg, head of compliance at Basware.
Regs name TD Bank’s compliance monitor; so far, bank has spent $138M improving AML program
TD Bank leadership called its response to anti-money laundering program lapses its “top priority” as federal regulators named their choice of a compliance monitor to oversee a top-to-bottom rebuild of its AML program.
As DOJ pivots away from white-collar enforcement, is FCPA still relevant?
While executives and boards will never conclude that bribery is a legitimate way of doing business, understandably many have questions about how to direct their FCPA compliance program efforts and resources, write Iris Bennett and Claire Rajan, partners at law firm Steptoe.
Treasury announces plan to narrow CTA's scope; FinCEN says no fines, penalties for failure to report BOI
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network notified businesses that fail to report or update their beneficial ownership information before the agency’s March 21 deadline will not face fines or penalties. The agency further said it would not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act against U.S. citizens and domestic businesses.
FinCEN announces FATF watchlist update: Laos, Nepal added, Philippines removed
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced two countries have been added to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) watchlist, while another has been removed.
Crypto exchange OKX latest target of DOJ, hit with $505M penalty over AML, KYC failures
One of world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges agreed to pay more than $500 million in penalties and plead guilty to AML and KYC violations, along with failing to register as a money transmitting business with the U.S. Treasury Department, the DOJ said.
FinCEN issues new BOI compliance date, but experts say unlikely to hold
Uncertainty continues to swirl around a requirement that small businesses and foreign entities file beneficial ownership information with the U.S. Treasury Department.
FCA fines Mako $2.1M for ineffective financial crime monitoring program
Mako Financial Markets Partnership will pay $2.1 million (1.7 million pounds) in penalties to the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority to settle allegations that its financial crime prevention program was ineffective.
Trump has called for a six-month ban on FCPA enforcement. How should compliance respond?
With a six-month ban on enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, compliance should retreat from fear-based messaging and instead focus on why ethical practices make good business sense, experts say.
Experts question effectiveness of new enforcement tool SFO is finally wielding
The U.K.’s Serious Fraud Office has made its first use of an enforcement tool that was meant to bring oligarchs and kleptocrats to book. But lawyers are unsure whether the move signifies either a change in direction or fortune for the agency.
Financial crime in the shadows of the dark web
The dark web has been depicted as a long-standing hub for crimes, where illegal activities such as drug dealing, financial fraud, weapon sales, murder for hire, stolen credit cards, and ransomware gags are easily accessible to the public.
BSA failures lead to $42M fine for Brink's over unregistered cash shipments to Mexico
Armored car company Brink’s Global Services will pay $42 million in penalties to settle charges laid by federal regulators for violating anti-money laundering provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act.
Bondi-led DOJ sharply pivots away from prosecution of corporate FCPA violations
The U.S. Department of Justice under new Attorney General Pam Bondi will de-emphasize white collar misconduct linked to bribes and foreign corruption, instead prioritizing corruption cases linked to human smuggling and the trafficking of narcotics and firearms.
FCA dings Infinox in first fine under U.K. capital market reforms of 2018
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority issued a landmark fine against trading platform Infinox Capital for failing to report “high-risk” transactions, the first-ever enforcement under a 2018 law.
KuCoin latest crypto firm to pay hefty price for violating BSA with $297M penalty
The Seychelles-based owner of cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has agreed to pay nearly $300 million in penalties–and cease doing business in the U.S. for two years–to settle charges that it failed to properly monitor potential criminal activity on its network.
Experts: Prepare now with U.K. failure to prevent fraud offense on horizon
Fraud prevention is about to get more complicated with penalties rising sharply for U.K. organizations. Starting Sept. 1, larger businesses will be liable to criminal prosecution if any of their employees–or an agent, subsidiary, or other “associated person”–commits fraud that is intended to benefit the company.
Q&A: Hellenic Bank CCO on progress made to fight corruption in Cyprus
Maria Aristidou Demetriou, chief compliance officer at Cyprus-based Hellenic Bank, spoke to Compliance Week about derisking in the Cypriot banking sector since Russian’s invasion of Ukraine and efforts to combat corruption, money laundering, and sanctions evasion.
Inside Cyprus’ efforts to stem money laundering and sanctions evasion
Are there success stories in the international fight against money laundering and sanctions evasion? The island nation of Cyprus is making its case.
SEC fines LPL Financial $18M for failed due diligence on new, high-risk accounts
Broker-dealer LPL Financial will pay $18 million to settle charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission that its anti-money laundering program did not properly vet customers and failed to close or restrict thousands of high-risk accounts.
SEC fines cannabis hedge fund $150K for bogus AML policies, ties to Russian oligarch Abramovich
Cannabis hedge fund Navy Capital Green Management agreed to pay $150,000 to settle charges levied by the Securirties and Exchange Commission that the firm misled investors about its AML/CFT policies and allowed a sanctioned Russian oligarch to invest.
CJEU ruling adds to GDPR liability over unfair competition, AML/CFT
Legal cases and fines for noncompliance with EU’s GDPR could rise sharply after a court found that a breach was a source of unfair competition. The judgment also opens doors to civil cases over companies that ignoring expensive or challenging rules, such as those regarding AML/CFT.
Five more compliance triumphs of 2024
Whether you’re a multinational telecommunications company looking to certify your anti-corruption program post-settlement, or a biochemical company victimized by a “rogue” employee, seeing the light at the end of the enforcement tunnel isn’t always easy.
OCC orders Bank of America to shore up BSA/AML, sanctions compliance programs
Bank of America avoided a monetary penalty in agreeing to settle charges with the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency but was ordered to shore up previously disclosed deficiencies in its Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) and sanctions compliance programs.
AAR Corp. to pay $56M to settle FCPA violations in Nepal, South Africa
Aviation maintenance services provider AAR Corp. will pay nearly $56 million to settle charges that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act when it paid bribes to government officials in Nepal and South Africa.
OCC hits USAA with third order in five years; places limits on new services, products, membership
USAA Federal Savings Bank has been hit with its third cease and desist order from the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in the past five years for failing to correct unsafe and unsound banking practices.
U.K. can’t shake reputation of being a conduit to individual, institutional money laundering
London has long had the dubious reputation of being the world’s money laundering capital and it looks like it’s a title it is likely to retain for some time yet.