FCPA: International Corporate Anti-Bribery Initiative Announced

Posted

In a speect to the 40th International Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Justice Department's FCPA Chief announced an anti-bribery initiative to drive cross-border collaboration in fighting foreign bribery.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri's comments included the following announcement:

"I am proud to announcea new resource in our fight against corruption: the International Corporate Anti-Bribery initiative, or ICAB, which will be driven by three experienced prosecutors, who will build on our existing bilateral and multilateral partnerships, as well as form new partnerships. We will start by focusing on regions where we can have the most impact in both coordination and case generation, with a focus on key threats to financial markets and the rule of law.  

"This initiative will leverage our prosecutors’ particular experience, expertise, and language skills, which will allow them to build relationships with counterparts around the world to facilitate cooperation and information sharing. All of this will enhance our ability to identify — and to effectively investigate and prosecute — foreign bribery offenses affecting these regions.

"Each member of this FCPA Unit initiative will work collaboratively, as appropriate, across the Criminal Division — including with MLARS, the Office of International Affairs, the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training, and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program — as well as with colleagues in other parts of the department, our law enforcement partners, and the State Department. The initiative’s members will also work with the data experts in Fraud and MLARS to develop proactive leads in their respective regions and determine how we can force multiply and assist foreign authorities in their parallel investigations.

"Empowering experienced anti-bribery prosecutors to build critical relationships with our international counterparts in key parts of the world will result in enhanced information sharing, cooperation, and case development with our foreign partners. This is yet another reason companies considering whether or not to disclose misconduct should take note — call us before we, or our foreign partners, call you.

[entire speech]

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here