The recent judgment in the case of Serious Fraud Office (SFO) v Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Ltd [2017] EWHC 1017 (QB) is a matter of major concern for companies and those involved in advising them on the best approach to the prospect of investigation by the U.K. SFO. We understand that this English High Court
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Expansion of FCPA “Pilot Program” is Good for Companies, but Heed the Fine Print
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s Nov. 29 announcement that the Department of Justice FCPA “Pilot Program” will be permanently expanded is good news for companies that repeatedly faced the dilemma of whether or not to investigate and disclose FCPA issues discovered internally. However, companies should be careful to read the fine print of the policy…
SEC Expected to Expedite FCPA Investigations in Light of Kokesh
On November 9, 2017, Steven R. Peikin, Co-Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, delivered a keynote speech at a conference commemorating the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) in which he reflected on “the past, present, and future” of the SEC’s enforcement of the FCPA.
After confirming the…
Increased Immigration Worksite Enforcement Looming in 2018
The days of speculation may have ended. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) acting director recently made clear that Form I-9 audits and worksite enforcement actions will surge in the coming year.
In line with the Trump Administration’s tough position on immigration and its budget requests, most employers have anticipated increased immigration-focused audits and enforcement actions.…
Ninth Circuit Ruling Weakens Materiality Standard under the FCA
Last year in Universal Health Services, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Escobar et al. (discussed on this blog), the Supreme Court reminded litigants that the False Claims Act “is not an all-purpose antifraud statute.” In that case, the Court expanded upon the FCA’s materiality standard, calling it both “rigorous” and “demanding.” How…
The CFPB’s Alternative Data RFI: Making Your Response Count
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Use of Alternative Data and Modeling Techniques in the Credit Process, available here. The deadline for response is May 19. This post will provide practical advice on how to submit an effective RFI response.
H-1B Employers Face Increased Site Visits
Employers using the H-1B visa program should take note as additional site visits may be on the horizon. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“U
SCIS”), part of the Department of Homeland Security, recently announced a new targeted approach to detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse and increased site visits of H-1B employers.
In selecting worksite…
SEC Opens Cease-and-Desist Order Proceeding against Broker-Dealer and Chief Compliance / AML Officer
As we have highlighted in prior posts, regulators of financial institutions, including FinCEN, FINRA and SEC, have increasingly brought actions to bring organizations – and individuals – into compliance with AML / BSA obligations. This enforcement activity is consistent with FinCEN’s August 2014 Advisory, now nearly three years old, emphasizing the idea that U.S.…
Will Cryptocurrency Abuse be an Enforcement Focus for the IRS this Tax Season?
Tax filing season began January 23rd, and with its arrival the IRS began rolling out its annual list of the so-called “Dirty Dozen.” The Dirty Dozen list is an educational effort to inform the public about scams, but it also offers insight into the tax enforcement issues on the IRS’s radar.
Particular tax schemes often…
SEC Annual Exam Guidance: Cybersecurity, Robo-Advising, and Retirement
The S
EC recently announced its Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations’ (OCIE) 2017 priorities. Though these listed priorities are not exhaustive and remain flexible in light of market conditions, industry developments, and ongoing risk assessment, it is helpful for companies to keep these items in mind when evaluating securities compliance programs in 2017.
The…
