News and commentary about white-collar crime, enforcement, and compliance
Harry Cassin
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Andy Spalding
Senior Editor
Jessica Tillipman
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Bill Steinman
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Richard L. Cassin
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Elizabeth K. Spahn
Editor Emeritus
Cody Worthington
Contributing Editor
Julie DiMauro
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Thomas Fox
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Marc Alain Bohn
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Bill Waite
Contributing Editor
Shruti J. Shah
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Russell A. Stamets
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Richard Bistrong
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Eric Carlson
Contributing Editor
In the prior post, I described recent FCPA enforcement actions — involving Stryker, Polycom, Microsoft, and Juniper Networks — which show that the SEC is on an ‘internal controls rampage’ involving the way issuers (public companies) establish and manage relationships with third parties, particularly distributors and resellers.… Continue Reading
Over the last two years, the Securities and Exchange Commission has set its sights on distributor and reseller relationships, and excoriated companies that failed to adequately manage and supervise them. The focus on these third-party relationships is part of the agency’s broader application of the FCPA’s internal controls provision in an increasingly aggressive manner.… Continue Reading
A little-noticed nugget in the recent Stryker SEC Order (Stryker II) — in addition to overbilling, kickbacks, and using unvetted intermediaries in India and China — was the allegation that Stryker’s “Kuwait Distributor made over $32,000 in improper ‘per diem’ payments to Kuwaiti [healthcare providers] to attend Stryker events, when Stryker had directly paid the costs for lodging, meals, and local transportation for these individuals.” … Continue Reading
Medical device maker Stryker Corp. agreed Friday to pay the SEC a $7.8 million penalty to resolve FCPA books and records and internal accounting controls offenses in India, China, and Kuwait.… Continue Reading
In a speech Tuesday at CBI’s Annual Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress in Washington D.C., the head of the SEC’s enforcement division, Andrew Ceresney, left, talked about the most common ways pharmas violate the FCPA.… Continue Reading
The FCPA Blog posed this question to the DOJ and FBI’s public affairs’ offices Wednesday: Has the FCPA Unit at the FBI been disbanded? In response, Christopher Allen in the FBI’s Public Affairs Office said: “The FBI’s investigations are managed through the International Corruption Unit, and that unit is absolutely not being disbanded.”… Continue Reading
The SEC said Thursday that medical device and equipment maker Stryker Corporation will pay $13.2 million to resolve FCPA violations.
Michigan-based Stryker bribed doctors and administrators at government controlled hospitals in Argentina, Greece, Mexico, Poland, and Romania, the SEC said.… Continue Reading
Here’s the FCPA disclosure from medical device-maker Stryker Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 23:
… Continue ReadingIn 2010 we received a subpoena from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the sales and marketing of the OtisKnee device.
Minnesota-based Medtronic Inc. won a double declination following an FCPA probe that lasted more than five years. The medical device maker said it received word in June from the DOJ and SEC that they won’t pursue enforcement actions.… Continue Reading
From the members area of the FCPA Blog, here’s Stryker’s latest FCPA disclosure in its SEC filing this week:
Stryker Corp.
Filing Date Oct/22/2012
Investigating Entity Securities and Exchange Commission
Excerpt In 2010 we received a subpoena from the DOJ related to sales, marketing and regulatory matters related to the Stryker PainPump.… Continue Reading
Here’s Michigan-based Stryker Corporation’s full FCPA disclosure from its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 24. The company makes medical devices used for implants and reconstructive procedures.
… Continue ReadingIn 2007 we disclosed that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made an inquiry of us regarding possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with the sale of medical devices in certain foreign countries.
Johnson & Johnson will pay a $21.4 million penalty to resolve criminal FCPA charges with the DOJ and $48.6 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest to settle the SEC’s civil charges.… Continue Reading