In This Issue
Compendium Roundup
On the Blog
Polling
Benchmarking
Books, Articles and Reports
Featured Resource
TASA
GAIN
TRACE Workshops
TRACE Roundtables
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June 2013

 

In late May, French energy company Total S.A. settled FCPA charges with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") for a combined amount of USD 398.2 million. Total allegedly made approximately USD 60 million in improper payments to intermediaries selected by an Iranian official in exchange for his help in acquiring business for the company in oil and gas fields in Iran. Total was charged with violations of the FCPA's anti-bribery and accounting provisions, and French authorities collaborated with the DOJ and SEC on the case.

 

On June 24, 2013, Medtronic, Inc. announced that the DOJ and SEC have terminated their investigations of the company's FCPA compliance in multiple countries. The medical device maker was informed of the agencies' declination decisions earlier in the month. Medtronic was one of the medical device companies included in an industry-wide sweep that began in 2007.

 

In June, there have also been updates to the Compendium entries for Direct Access Partners, Tyco International, Finmeccanica, Coral Capital Group, and Tri-Star Caribbean.

  
 

This month on TRACE blog, we covered a range of topics.  First, we took a look at the Total S.A. monitorship and the increasing use of monitors in FCPA settlements after a previous lull.  Eschewing many of the past controversies surrounding monitors, the DOJ and SEC appear comfortable today to condition FCPA settlements on the adoption of FCPA monitors in many cases.  We also investigated an article authored by Aaron Schildhaus, President and CEO of D & O Supplemental International Insurance LLC , on what companies can do to insure themselves against FCPA investigations and enforcement actionsThis month, New York State's highest court ruled that global investment bank Bear Stearns could seek insurance coverage for a $160 million disgorgement penalty against it resulting from a 2006 settlement with the SEC.

 

In world news, we couldn't help drawing comparisons between the current National Security Agency scandal involving Edward Snowden and the historical roots of the FCPA.   We also reported on a panel discussion held by the World Bank to discuss new mechanisms designed at curbing demand-side corruptionFinally, we also had a two-part series on Israel this month, authored by guest-blogger Daniel Kessler, who is the Founding Partner of Givon Advisors Ltd.  Part one in the series discussed Israel's history with the OECD and part two looked at changing perceptions and enforcement trends in Israel.

 

 

Poll: What was this Month's Biggest Anti-bribery Story?

 

With another month gone by, it's time to decide on this month's biggest anti-bribery story.  Read the stories that caught our eye and visit www.traceblog.org to vote.

 

  • New Disclosure Rules: This month, both the European Union and Canada passed separate transparency rules on payments to foreign governments by companies in the extractives industry.
  • OECD Phase 3 Reports:  The OECD issued its Phase 3 report on the implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention for Portugal and Poland this month.  The OECD was critical of Portugal's lackluster enforcement of corruption abroad and recommended that Poland develop a more focused strategy to guarantee that resources and expertise are available to investigate and prosecute foreign bribery cases.
  • Canada strengthens law on foreign corruption:  On June 19, amendments to Canada's  Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act came into force, significantly strengthening the law by, among other things, broadening the scope of the law, enhancing prosecutorial powers, and increasing penalties.  Find out more by clicking here.
  • US District Judge Richard Leon approves Tyco FCPA settlement:  Nine months after Tyco reached an FCPA agreement with the DOJ and SEC, US District Judge Richard Leon finally agreed to the terms of the settlement.  Judge Leon has previously expressed reservations about the terms of FCPA settlements.
  • Anti-bribery protests:  Large-scale demonstrations took place on the streets of Brazil and Bulgaria this month to voice anger over, among other things, government corruption.
  • G8 Tax Measures:  Leaders of the G8 major economies met in Ireland this month and agreed to new measures clamping down on money launderers, illegal tax evaders and corporate tax avoiders.
Benchmarking: Third Party Training
 
TRACE is pleased to share the results of a recent benchmarking survey on how multinational companies manage the anti-bribery training of their third parties. An increasing number of companies now require anti-bribery training for at least a portion of their third parties with some requiring the training annually.  To see the results of this benchmarking survey, please click here.
Books, Articles & Reports

 How to Pay a Bribe: Thinking Like a Criminal to Thwart Bribery Schemes

Last year, TRACE published a fascinating and instructive book about how bribery schemes are devised, carried out and covered up. TRACE is now in the process of compiling the 2013 edition. We invite in-house counsel and anti-bribery practitioners to "join the conversation" by sharing their corruption (and compliance!) stories by writing to  [email protected].
 

 Frank Vogl, one of the leaders of the worldwide anticorruption movement, shares a history filled with stories of heroes and victims of corruption. He chronicles the successful campaigns by enormously courageous civil society activists, journalists, and public prosecutors and explains the crucial challenges that now must be confronted. At stake is nothing less than our global security, the reduction of poverty, the stability of our economic and financial systems, and the cause of freedom and democracy.

Waging War on Corruption will be of interest to reader of politics and government, business, human rights, and law. 

 

 

Citizens Against Corruption: Report From The Frontline tells the story of how groups of courageous and dedicated citizens across the globe are taking direct action to root out corruption. It shows how people are no longer prepared to accept the predatory activities of dishonest officials and are challenging their scams. It draws on over 200 unique case studies that describe initiatives undertaken by 130 civil society organisations (CSOs) which engage directly with public agencies to stop the bribery and extortion that damages peoples' lives and obstructs social and economic progress. This book challenges the notion that, at best, civil society can only have a marginal impact on reducing corruption and argues that aid donors need to radically rethink their assistance for governance reform.  

 


The GER 2012 is the third in an annual series from TRACE that provides a summary of international anti-bribery enforcement trends based on the cases and investigations tracked in the TRACE Compendium.

 

Several new developments and ongoing trends are highlighted in the report, including a decline in foreign/outbound bribery enforcement actions brought by the United States and by other countries and an uptick in the enforcement of inbound/domestic bribery legislation worldwide. The report also includes for the first time information about how many times countries declined to take formal enforcement actions or closed official inquiries related to outbound or inbound bribery from 1977 through 2012. 

 

Click here to download. 

 

Featured Resource: Online Training

 

Did you know that members of TRACE can train an unlimited number of their employees and intermediaries using TRACE's online training platform?

 

 TRACE offers two online training modules, designed specifically for both employees and third parties and based on TRACE's extensive experience providing training to multinational companies and their intermediaries. Real life scenarios teach appropriate conduct in a variety of situations. Modules are currently available in 14 languages. To learn more or schedule a training demo, please contact [email protected].

 

TASA graduates demonstrate sufficient knowledge of anti-bribery regulations, beyond the FCPA, and global compliance best practices and are recognized by employers as anti-bribery specialists. By enrolling in TASA and passing the accreditation exam, you will both join an exclusive community of anti-bribery compliance professionals and help further your career. To being the application process, visit www.thetasa.org.

 

 

Anti-Corruption Compliance in High Risk Markets 

Jul 22 - 24, 2013, Washington

 

3rd India Summit on Anti-Corruption 

Sep 23 - 24, 2013, New Delhi

 

6th FCPA Boot Camp

Oct 1-2, 2013, San Francisco, CA

 

*TASA candidates may earn 12 credits for attending a full two-day FCPA Boot camp; 3 credits per day for attending any other FCPA/anti-corruption event; and 2 credits for workshops. A $200 registration discount is offered to TASA candidates.


 Join Cisco, Mubadala, ABB, 3M Company, FH Bertling Holdings, and other industry leaders for our 2nd Global Anti-Bribery In-House Network (GAIN)Conference. This is an excellent opportunity for attorneys from TRACE partner law firms and TRACE member and non-member companies to meet while learning first-hand about compliance challenges and enforcement trends around the world. 
  
Click here to view the Agenda-at-a-Glance.

 

If you are interested in speaking, please contact Virna Di Palma at [email protected] 

 

Visit our GAIN webpage for program updates and registration details. Register early to guarantee your place.

 


 TRACE presents its first anti-bribery training workshop in Israel. Employees and intermediaries of TRACE member companies are invited to attend at no charge.

 

The Agenda at-a-Glance is available here. Please visit TRACE workshops for program updates and registration details.

  
Throughout the year, TRACE hosts complimentary roundtable discussions on compliance with anti-bribery regulations in multiple locations worldwide. Roundtables offer both TRACE members and non-members an opportunity to participate in an invite-only discussion with a senior attorney of TRACE and their peers. Discussions are tailored to the audience and are relevant to each participant's job function and industry.
  
This month TRACE held a roundtable in Dubai, which discussed international enforcement trends, compliance best practices and local corruption risks. Attendees gained real insight into what others are doing locally to enhance their anti-bribery compliance programs while sharing best practices with one another.
  
To receive the Dubai roundtable presentation, please contact Virna Di Palma at [email protected].  

 

 

Washington, DC 
July 22-24, 2013 
TRACE Members receive a $200 discount.

  

InsideNGO Annual Member Conference  

Washington, DC 
July 30-August 1, 2013 
Hosted By: InsideNGO 
*Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President, speaking

 

Corruption & Compliance South & South East Asia Summit  

Singapore 
September 17-19, 2013 
Hosted By: Beacon 
* Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President, speaking 

 

12th Annual Compliance & Ethics Institute  

Washington, DC 
October 6-9th, 2013 
* Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President, speaking

 

IACCM Americas 2013 Conference
Phoenix, AZ
October 8-9, 2013
Hosted By: IACCM
*Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President, speaking 
 
New York, NY
Oct 28-29, 2013
Hosted By: Momentum
*Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President, speaking 
TRACE members receive a 15% discount.
 
London, UK
November 4-7, 2013
Hosted By: HansonWade
*Alexandra Wrage, TRACE President, speaking 
 
FCPA Conference
Washington, DC
November 18-21, 2013
Hosted By: American Conference Institute 
  

 

News & Press
  

Learn more about TRACE membership benefits. Download our membership brochure here.

 

Click here to learn more about our risk-based due diligence solutions.

 



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