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
As Jason Deegan’s post for the FCPA Blog recently reminded us, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) rarely points to major changes from year to year. However, a closer analysis of ratings since 2012 – the year when TI adopted its current methodology for the CPI – may be more revealing.… Continue Reading
The World Bank debarred a leading New Zealand-based traffic expert Wednesday for corruption involving mass transport projects in Vietnam.… Continue Reading
Transparency International released its 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index Thursday. The results of this latest iconic list beg the question: Should we look at the ten cleanest countries on the CPI to see where the next mega-FCPA settlement will come from?… Continue Reading
Nearly a third of employees in Singapore were aware of misconduct at work during the past year but many of them didn’t report it to management.… Continue Reading
The Institute of Business Ethics has expanded its Ethics at Work survey to cover Australia and New Zealand (in addition to Europe), and surveyed over 2,000 employees to provide insight into employees’ views on ethics across all sectors and job roles.… Continue Reading
New Zealand, ranked the least corrupt country in the world, has cancelled hundreds of drivers licenses after an investigation revealed widespread bribery involving driving tests.
Three officials at the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) allegedly took bribes from 350 drivers.… Continue Reading
A headline in the Washington Post on August 3, 1979 said: “Justice Department Wins First Victory Under Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.”
The story started this way:
The Justice Department unit set up to prosecute American corporations that make payoffs to foreign officials won its first court victory here yesterday: a guilty plea by the New York firm that distributes the postage stamps of Cook Islands, a tiny country 1,800 miles off the coast of New Zealand.… Continue Reading
One of the world’s biggest gold miners said in a securities filing Wednesday it is investigating some business activities in countries outside the United States.
Colorado-based Newmont Mining said the investigation includes a review of compliance with the requirements of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.… Continue Reading
It’s not illegal for most people to own anonymous companies. Walt Disney used them to buy land near Orlando for Disney World. He didn’t want prices to go crazy with news Mickey Mouse was coming to town.… Continue Reading
Last month, the Scottish Court of Session Outer House delivered a decision that illustrates the pitfalls that await executive shareholders implicated in commercial bribery.
The case concerned whether or not the affairs of a transport and liquid freighting company were being carried on in an unfairly prejudicial manner to the interests of the former chief executive and associated shareholders. … Continue Reading
Internal emails leaked from Australia’s Leighton Holdings warn that a $24 million “facilitation payment” linked to a 2010 Iraq contract would “attract attention” from auditors.
Other emails talk about plans by senior employees to make payments to “friends” in the Middle East and to inflate and backdate contracts to win work in Iraq, the Financial Review reported Monday.… Continue Reading
New Zealand’s Justice Minister Judith Collins has endorsed an anti-corruption bill to deter domestic and international organized crime that would require banks to report international wire transfers of more than $1,000.… Continue Reading