The DOJ Trainwreck and the Rising Risk Calculus for Compliance and Self-Disclosure

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 discuss how internal dysfunction at the U.S. Department of Justice is creating uncertainty for corporate compliance teams and corporations more generally. Focusing on a reported turf battle between the long-standing Fraud Section in the Criminal Division, established in 1955 and central to FCPA enforcement and compliance guidance, and a newly created national Fraud Division, which was initially framed as targeting government benefits fraud. They argue that the reorganization could drain expertise, reduce future DOJ guidance, and distort enforcement into politically selective actions, citing IBM’s $17 million settlement, an EEOC case involving The New York Times and Smartmatic, and Smartmatic’s experience. They also highlight DOJ staffing losses with a net 20% fewer lawyers, loss of experienced attorneys, reliance on inexperienced hires and bonuses, and warn that the volatility may chill voluntary self-disclosure despite DOJ messaging encouraging it. Key highlights: DOJ Train Wreck Overview Fraud Section vs Fraud Division Political Enforcement Reality Self-Disclosure Gets Riskier What Companies Should Do Now Resources: Matt on 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