FCPA Trial Rarity: Charles Hobson Convicted

The award-winning Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to explore it more fully. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly look at the recent conviction of Charles ‘Hunter” Hobson for FCPA violations. Former Corsa Coal senior sales executive Charles Hunter Hobson was found guilty in Pennsylvania of helping arrange roughly $4.8 million in bribes to officials tied to a state-owned Egyptian coal company, using an intermediary, to secure about $143 million in contracts. Also, Hobson allegedly pocketed about $200,000. Tom and Matt Hobson’s unsuccessful “dog bite” defenses. They also discuss tensions between corporate and individual accountability, the practical reality that companies may cooperate and “turn on” individuals, and that individuals can also expose companies by cooperating with prosecutors. Finally, they speculate on why DOJ pursued trial amid shifting enforcement signals, referencing other recent FCPA matters (Millicom DPA, Smartmatic indictment) and past DOJ trial losses, and conclude that the best approach is to avoid bribery and avoid being the “last man standing.” Key highlights: Hobson Case Overview Dog Bite Defense Breakdown Payment Red Flags Declinations and Individual Risk Why Go to Trial? Resources Matt in Radical Compliance Tom Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn A multi-award-winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of the Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcasts, a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, a Communicator Award, and a W3 Award, all for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices