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September 23, 2024, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri announced revisions to the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), Criminal Division’s compliance guidance, known as the Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (“ECCP”), which is used by DOJ prosecutors to assess the effectiveness of a company’s compliance program in the context of a corporate investigation.[1]  The updated compliance guidance incorporates changes that will focus on a company’s use of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”)[2] and other technologies, its use of data analytics as part of the compliance function, the incorporation of “lessons learned” to continuously enhance corporate compliance programs, and whistleblower reporting.[3] Continue Reading DOJ Announces Revisions to Compliance Guidance Focused on AI, Whistleblower Reporting, and Other Areas

There were significant developments last week in two recent criminal enforcement initiatives that were first announced earlier this year.  First, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) outlined the details of its long-anticipated whistleblower bounty program.[1]  Second, on July 30, 2024, President Biden signed into law a number of amendments to the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (“FEPA”).[2]  Both of these developments underscore the importance of investing in robust compliance programs and conducting timely investigations of potential misconduct.Continue Reading Two Enforcement Developments: DOJ Launches Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program and Amendments to the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act Are Passed into Law

On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) announced the creation of the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program (the “Pilot Program”).[1]  Under the Pilot Program, individuals who self-disclose certain criminal misconduct that involves business organizations to SDNY and cooperate fully may be eligible for a Non-Prosecution Agreement (“NPA”).[2] Continue Reading SDNY Announces Whistleblower Pilot Program For Individuals Who Self-Disclose Wrongdoing Involving Business Organizations

On November 14, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced its enforcement results for the 2023 fiscal year,[1] with case numbers up from fiscal year 2022 and monetary sanctions at the second highest level in the agency’s history, though down significantly from last year’s record highs.  In a press release announcing the results, Enforcement Director Gurbir Grewal noted that the past year’s cases demonstrate how the agency “work[s] with a sense of urgency, using all the tools in our toolkit.”  This post evaluates how the SEC used its enforcement tools in the past year and surveys the enforcement highlights in key substantive areas.Continue Reading SEC Announces FY 2023 Enforcement Results with Second-Highest Penalties on Record