The United Kingdom’s regime against bribery, corruption and fraud is operating in a new landscape following the introduction in August 2015 of the International Corruption Unit (ICU), a new governmental agency created under the auspices of the Department for International Development (DFID). The latest step in the clampdown on nefarious business practices came as the … Continue Reading
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) has launched a formal criminal investigation into GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and its “commercial practices”, understood to mean allegations of foreign bribery. David Green CB QC, Director of the SFO, said back in 2012 that only the largest cases, that prevented UK companies from competing for big contracts on a level … Continue Reading
Like any other major sporting event, the Olympic Games attracts a large number of corporate sponsors. This summer’s Games in London are no different, with 11 long-term sponsors of the Olympics and a further 40 solely sponsoring the London 2012 Games. But with the London Games looming ever closer into view, sponsors and businesses alike … Continue Reading
David Green took charge as the new Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on 23 April 2012. Since taking the reins, Mr Green has confirmed that the SFO’s new powers to prosecute bribery offences would remain an important tool in actions overseas. He has however also confirmed that only the largest cases, that prevented … Continue Reading
On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld Frederic Bourke’s bribery conviction. This decision is the culmination of investigations and court proceedings that began in 2000. Mr. Bourke, who co-founded handbag maker Dooney & Bourke, was convicted in November 2009 for violations under the FCPA after his business partner Viktor Kozeny … Continue Reading
Back in September 2011, we reported on this blog how the first proceedings under the UK Bribery Act 2010 had been commenced against a Court clerk who had accepted money from various people to help them avoid prosecution for motoring offences. Mr Patel, the Court clerk, was charged with requesting and receiving a bribe intending … Continue Reading
In July 2009, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) issued a document entitled “Approach of the Serious Fraud Office Dealing with Overseas Corruption,” which encourages companies to approach the SFO to self report corruption in exchange for receiving a US-style plea bargain settlement, thus providing the company with certainty of outcome. However, in his white paper, … Continue Reading
In a recent post we analyzed the comments of Charles Duross, Deputy Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division, DOJ, at the ABA White Collar Crime annual conference. Today, we will summarize the comments of Duross’ fellow panelists — Robert Tarun, Mark Mendelsohn and Raphael Monty — all three of whom are in private practice. Tarun stated: … Continue Reading
The UK government will push forward with the implementation of the UK Bribery Act after the OECD threatened to blacklist British companies if the new law is not enacted soon.… Continue Reading
And news has finally arrived: Richard Alderman of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) confirmed today that the implementation of the Bribery Act will be delayed for a second time. The delay is tied to the finalization of the publication of the Adequate Procedures guidance by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). One has to wonder how … Continue Reading
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is on bended knees, urging the UK government to delay the implementation of the UK Bribery Act to July 2011 (instead of April 2011), stating that realistically small and medium sized businesses need more time to reorganize their internal policies and procedures to comply with the Act. … Continue Reading
The UK’s Bribery Act is slated to take effect in April…mere weeks away (10 by my reckoning). Draft guidelines have been prepared and are being circulated (after all, inquiring minds are eager to know about ‘adequate procedures’). The Act will put the UK — one of the world’s least corrupt countries — at the forefront of global … Continue Reading
