News and commentary about white-collar crime, enforcement, and compliance
Harry Cassin
Publisher and Editor
Andy Spalding
Senior Editor
Jessica Tillipman
Senior Editor
Bill Steinman
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
Russell A. Stamets
Contributing Editor
Richard Bistrong
Contributing Editor
Eric Carlson
Contributing Editor
Responding to persistent corruption in countries around the world takes more than a commitment to a Convention and adoption of sweeping legislation to achieve meaningful progress. A broad view, an innovative approach and a willingness to look across a wide spectrum of solutions are all critical.… Continue Reading
The Justice Department on September 8 announced that it is dropping its corruption case against former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to throw out McDonnell’s conviction on the grounds that jurors had been provided an erroneous definition of “official act.”… Continue Reading
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court vacated former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s eleven corruption convictions. The jury that convicted McDonnell was given erroneous instructions, according to the Court. At issue was the question of what constitutes an “official act.”… Continue Reading
On Monday this week, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturned the 2014 corruption conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.
As a refresher, Gov. McDonnell, directly and through his spouse, accepted over $175,000 in gifts and loans from Jonnie Williams, the CEO of a Virginia-based business known as Star Scientific.… Continue Reading
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday unanimously vacated former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s eleven corruption convictions.
The decision overturned the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which had upheld guilty verdicts against McDonnell and his wife.… Continue Reading
Effective ethics laws, in Virginia and elsewhere, depend on enforcement through prosecution, independent ethics review boards, ethics training, and transparency and openness in government. In other words, Virginia will have to do more than change a few gift laws currently under review.… Continue Reading
An awakening for the Commonwealth of Virginia occurred when the U.S. Justice Department indicted the state’s former governor for public corruption. Bob McDonnell was ultimately convicted on 11 counts of conspiracy, bribery, and extortion.… Continue Reading
Last summer, I wrote a series for the FCPA Blog about Virginia’s “Shamefully Inadequate Ethics Laws” (see here, here and here). I was not alone in criticizing what has been deemed one of the least effective ethics regimes in the country.… Continue Reading