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1 – 10 of 269Emily M. Homer and George E. Higgins
The purpose of this study is to use crime mapping techniques to examine geographic patterns of signed deferred and non-prosecution agreements across federal districts. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to use crime mapping techniques to examine geographic patterns of signed deferred and non-prosecution agreements across federal districts. The purpose is also to examine the variation in the number of agreements by the district since 1992.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses data from the Corporate Prosecution Registry to examine geographic patterns in federal corporate agreements since 1992 (n = 534). Choropleth mapping techniques were used to create national crime maps displaying the geographic locations of signed corporate agreements.
Findings
The results showed that, overall, prosecutors in the District of Columbia have signed the most federal corporate agreements although there is some variation over time.
Research limitations/implications
This study is unable to determine the causes of changes in the geographic placement or number of agreements signed. It is also unable to determine the precise geographic locations of crimes, but only the location of the District Court that elected to pursue a federal agreement with the organization.
Practical implications
The wide discretion prosecutors have in the agreement process has led to an overall lack of transparency concerning prosecutors’ decision-making when signing agreements with organizations. This study helps to make the number and geographic location of agreements more transparent.
Originality/value
This study uses crime mapping techniques to visually depict the locations of signed agreements allowing for visual comparisons and analyzes for an extended period of time.
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Betty Santangelo, Gary Stein and Margaret Jacobs
The purpose of this article is to explain recent enforcement trends under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), providing examples of recent cases.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explain recent enforcement trends under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), providing examples of recent cases.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes recent trends in FCPA enforcement, including increased enforcement by US authorities, greater vigilance by private industry, and global anti‐corruption efforts. It provides an overview of the FCPA, including the original reason why the Act was passed, its anti‐bribery provisions, the need to show corrupt intent, the interstate commerce requirement, exceptions and affirmative defenses, record‐keeping and control provisions, and penalties. It describes recent FCPA prosecutions and enforcement actions and draws conclusions on how to reduce FCPA risk.
Findings
The FCPA is a Watergate‐era law that was passed in response to disclosures by a number of large US corporations that they had made illicit payments to foreign government officials. The FCPA applies to bribes by any US issuer or domestic concern, paid to any foreign official, foreign political party, official or candidate, or official of a public international organization in order to assist in obtaining, retaining, or directing business. To prosecute, the government must show corrupt intent. The FCPA also contains provisions that require accurate record‐keeping and internal controls of US issuers. Violations of the FCPA are subject to both criminal and civil penalties.
Originality/value
The paper presents a thorough explanation, practical advice, and examples of recent violations and penalties by experienced lawyers specializing in FCPA compliance as well as white‐collar defense, securities regulatory matters, internal investigations, and anti‐money laundering.
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– The purpose of this article is to assess the extent to which Hong Kong’s laws deter its companies from engaging in corruption and bribery abroad.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to assess the extent to which Hong Kong’s laws deter its companies from engaging in corruption and bribery abroad.
Design/methodology/approach
A mix of economics, public administration, management and legal analysis was used to assess weaknesses in Hong Kong’s laws governing the prohibition of bribe payments abroad.
Findings
Hong Kong does not explicitly criminalise corporate bribery abroad. Companies – as legal persons – can not be found guilty of corruption. It is argued that Hong Kong’s Legislative Council should amend various laws to modernise Hong Kong’s approach to tackling corruption committed by its companies abroad. The various approaches lawmakers can take towards assigning responsibility for corruption to companies are presented. The approaches that prosecutors at the Department of Justice can take to adopt prosecutorial methods like those used in other upper-income jurisdictions and the ways that Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) can assist in this work are also described.
Practical implications
This research has practical findings for Hong Kong’s policymakers, law firms and companies which operate in Hong Kong. For policymakers, we describe legal changes Hong Kong’s legislators will likely make in the years ahead and the preferred ways of engaging in such change. For law firms, we describe the legal changes coming to Hong Kong which legal advisors will need to advise their clients on. For companies, we describe changes that companies operating in Hong Kong will likely need to comply with in the future.
Social implications
This paper shows that when Hong Kong adopts best practice in the field of corporate criminalisation, Hong Kong’s role in “exporting” corruption will likely fall.
Originality/value
This article describes a set of legal changes which will change the way Hong Kong treats corruption. The literature tends to glamorise Hong Kong’s anti-corruption work. It is shown that its law falls far behind other jurisdictions, as well as how “treating companies like people” in the case of Hong Kong will likely change the way Hong Kong’s prosecutors think about crime and criminal perpetrators.
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Virginia Gallaher Maurer and Ralph Emmett Maurer
This paper, presented at the 2012 International Symposium on Economic Crime, Jesus College, Cambridge, identifies four serious problems that affect enforcement of the US…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper, presented at the 2012 International Symposium on Economic Crime, Jesus College, Cambridge, identifies four serious problems that affect enforcement of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) the awkwardness of using the prosecutorial system as a de facto regulatory agency; the uncertainties imposed on corporate capital budgeting systems in determining how much to spend on compliance; the paucity of judicial interpretation of the law, and thus the interpretations of prosecutors as de facto law that may not be law; and the ambiguous benefits of compliance with the law that leads to inadequate compliance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs traditional legal research methodology, analysing case law, statutory interpretation, legal literature, and textual analysis of aggregated deferred prosecution agreements and non-prosecution agreements between the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and national and multinational corporations between 2000 and 2011.
Findings
Several boundaries require clearer definition in US enforcement of the FCPA.
Research limitations/implications
The paper defines areas for fruitful comparative legal analysis between enforcement of the US FCPA and enforcement of the UK Bribery Act of 2010.
Practical implications
The paper has practical implications for UK policy makers addressing issues of the Bribery Act of 2010.
Social implications
The paper provides cautionary notes to public policy makers in the UK as the Serious Fraud Office designs alternative prosecution approaches to enforce the Bribery Act of 2010.
Originality/value
Other various signatory nations of anti-corruption treaties, and in particular the UK, can benefit by observing the experience of the US DOJ's enforcement regime and building more clarity into implementing anti-corruption legislation.
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This study aims to analyse Rolls-Royce’s (RR) recent corruption case, its 2017 global anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) manual, and its 2017 annual report to assess…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse Rolls-Royce’s (RR) recent corruption case, its 2017 global anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) manual, and its 2017 annual report to assess whether it has put the best corruption prevention strategies into place.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a legal case study based on RR’s 2017 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the UK serious fraud office. It uses the new ISO 37001 standard as a theoretical framework.
Findings
RR’s DPA suspends an indictment covering 12 counts of conspiracy to corrupt, false accounting and failure to prevent bribery. RR’s ABC manual exhibits significant shortcomings as compared to ISO 37001’s requirements. RR’s ABC manual does not provide any reference to the setting, reviewing and achievement of measurable anti-bribery objectives; does not state that anti-bribery training is provided at planned intervals to employees and external business associates that pose more than a low risk of bribery; does not explain the authority and independence of its head of ethics and compliance; does not state any maximum for gifts and hospitality given or received; does not provide clear assurances that reports made through its main internal channels will be treated confidentially and that complaints about senior management will be investigated by an outside firm; and does not subject its advisers to a formal due diligence process. RR’s annual report notes that it operates in an industry prone to corruption. Finally, internal control failure and compliance fatigue mean that no anti-bribery management system can be completely effective.
Research limitations/implications
This paper extends previous research by analysing the best corruption prevention strategies that organizations can implement. It does not endeavour to certify whether RR is ISO 37001 compliant, and it analyses only publicly available documents.
Practical implications
This study’s prevention strategies will help deter corruption and improve internal controls within organizations.
Originality/value
No previous study has used the new ISO 37001 standard as a framework for such corruption case analysis.
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The objective of this article is to examine the criminal conduct of convicted bankers and institutions for the purpose of identifying any measurable factor that can…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this article is to examine the criminal conduct of convicted bankers and institutions for the purpose of identifying any measurable factor that can determine the degree of risk an organization faces from the threat of organized crime.
Design/methodology/approach
Primary research was conducted of the money laundering related acts of bankers and banks charged with criminal offenses. In addition, interviews were conducted of professionals with first‐hand knowledge, directly involved in the events related to these prosecutions.
Findings
Although maintenance of a competent anti‐money laundering compliance program is required by law, the real measure of a financial institution's risk from organized crime is directly proportional to the degree with which the business line of an institution genuinely embraces, participates in, and benefits from the anti‐money laundering protocols established by the institution's compliance function.
Originality/value
This paper is original research conducted and presented from the viewpoint of a specialist.
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This paper aims to highlight the shift of impunity from institutions to individuals within the “too big to fail, too big to jail” paradigm and to restore individual…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the shift of impunity from institutions to individuals within the “too big to fail, too big to jail” paradigm and to restore individual liability in the financial industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on the analysis of HSBC deferred prosecution agreement concluded on December 10, 2012 and of a report by the US House of Representatives Financial Committee released in July 2016.
Findings
“Too big to fail, too big to jail” is a paradigm which contains justice. It leads to the impunity of individuals involved due to the absence of trial. Containment of justice is denial of justice. However, the systemic risk is attached to institutions, not to individuals. Therefore, it should not hamper the prosecution of individuals.
Practical implications
Setting sanctions applicable to individuals and proportionate to the crime would contribute to deter financial misconducts.
Originality/value
The value of the paper is the demonstration that there is no basis for a limited personal liability in the financial industry.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine legal issues in the USA in relation to corruption involving American corporations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine legal issues in the USA in relation to corruption involving American corporations.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews of actions by the US government, lobbyists and courts with commentary by the author.
Findings
All is not well.
Originality/value
The paper presents a personal review of US legal issues relating to corruption.
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Betty Santangelo and Margaret A. Jacobs
Discusses the most significant criminal prosecutions and regulatory actions in response to recent anti‐money laundering compliance lapses and the resulting concern in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Discusses the most significant criminal prosecutions and regulatory actions in response to recent anti‐money laundering compliance lapses and the resulting concern in the financial community.
Design/methodology/approach
Reviews earlier criminal enforcement actions; the recent prosecution of Riggs Bank; non‐criminal regulatory enforcement actions toward Banco de Chile, Korea Exchange Bank, Arab Bank, and Gulf Corporation; additional consent orders and supervisory agreements requiring enhancement of PATRIOT Act and Bank Secrecy Act compliance systems at more than 20 banks; broker‐dealer actions; and other actions.
Findings
Concludes that both law enforcement and regulators have embraced stricter anti‐money‐laundering enforcement standards despite some criticism from the financial industry, and that recent criminal enforcement actions bear careful analysis by the financial community; predicts that regulators and law enforcement officials will broaden their scope from banking institutions to include broker‐dealers and other non‐bank institutions as well; and recommends that all financial institutions devote greater resources to establish effective anti‐money‐laundering policies and procedures, particularly in the areas of due diligence for high‐risk customers and suspicious activity reporting (SAR).
Originality/value
A detailed review of recent anti‐money‐laundering violations and enforcement actions along with practical recommendations for financial institutions by two expert compliance lawyers with a specialty in anti‐money‐laundering.
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