News and commentary about white-collar crime, enforcement, and compliance
Harry Cassin
Publisher and Editor
Andy Spalding
Senior Editor
Jessica Tillipman
Senior Editor
Richard L. Cassin
Editor at Large
Elizabeth K. Spahn
Editor Emeritus
Cody Worthington
Contributing Editor
Julie DiMauro
Contributing Editor
Thomas Fox
Contributing Editor
Marc Alain Bohn
Contributing Editor
Bill Waite
Contributing Editor
Shruti J. Shah
Contributing Editor
Russell A. Stamets
Contributing Editor
Richard Bistrong
Contributing Editor
Eric Carlson
Contributing Editor
Bill Steinman
Contributing Editor
This week John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, delivered his report about U.S. security sector assistance programs in Afghanistan since 2001. It’s the story of a monumental policy failure.… Continue Reading
After 16 years, Afghanistan is now America’s longest war. But the regime we’re fighting for is one of the world’s most corrupt. It ranked 177 out of 180 on the latest Corruption Perceptions Index.… Continue Reading
Special Inspector General John SopkoThe Taliban may not be in control of Afghanistan, but that’s only because nobody is really in control. After 15 years of U.S. and coalition fighting, the country — more accurately the failed state — is in terrible shape.… Continue Reading
A former Navy noncommissioned officer pleaded guilty to accepting about $25,000 in cash bribes from vendors of humanitarian supplies while he served in Afghanistan.
Donald P. Bunch, 46, of Pace, Florida, appeared last week before Judge Roger Vinson of the Northern District of Florida.
Bunch pleaded guilty to one count of taking bribes.… Continue Reading
A sergeant currently assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit bribery when he was buying humanitarian supplies while serving in Afghanistan.
Ramiro Pena Jr., 43, entered his plea in federal court in Kentucky to a one-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit bribery.
His sentencing is scheduled for October 15.… Continue Reading
An independent contractor for a trucking company in Afghanistan that delivered fuel to U.S. Army bases was sentenced to four years in prison for offering a U.S. serviceman bribes to falsify confirm fuel shipments that weren’t really delivered.… Continue Reading
Justin Lansford and Gabe. (Image courtesy of ABC News)I don’t expect to be inspired at compliance conferences. The big name “motivational” speakers don’t move me. I prefer the stories of the everyday hardworking compliance officers.… Continue Reading
What were the motivations of the key actors responsible for the creation of BOTA Foundation — the governments of the United States, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan? And what role did the World Bank play, as well as opposition politicians and civil society activists in Kazakhstan?… Continue Reading
Last year, 17,958 people were killed in terrorist attacks, 61% more than the previous year. More than 80% of all deaths from terrorist attacks occurred in five of the world’s most corrupt countries — Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Syria.… Continue Reading
The University of Richmond’s Journal of Global Law & Business is proud to announce its annual Corruption Issue. In this series of posts, each co-authored by a UR law student and Professor Andy Spalding, we’ll introduce this year’s articles and invite submissions for next year’s issue.… Continue Reading
In a criminal fraud and False Claims Act settlement Monday with total penalties amounting to $389 million, a whistleblower collected $16 million from the $101 million paid to settle the FCA portion of the case.… Continue Reading
Richard Ammer Chichakli, an associate of convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout, was sentenced Thursday in Manhattan federal court to five years in prison.
Chichakli, pictured, is a dual U.S. and Syrian citizen.… Continue Reading