U.S. Transfers $53 Million In Forfeited Corruption Proceeds To Nigeria
Efforts by the U.S. government to combat foreign corruption are broader than just the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. For instance, in 2009 the DOJ announced a Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.
As described by the DOJ, the “Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption.”
Recently, the DOJ announced “that the United States entered into an agreement to transfer approximately $52.88 million in forfeited assets to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in recognition of Nigeria’s assistance to the department in an investigation into corruption in the Nigerian oil industry.”
A Tale Of Two Press Releases
An interesting tale of two press releases.
One from the Department of Justice.
Another from a law firm representing a client in a DOJ matter.
This recent DOJ press release titled “Justice Department Reaches Settlement to Recover Los Angeles Mansion Purchased by Family of Former Armenian Government Minister” states in pertinent part:
On National Llama Day, Assistant Attorney General Recognizes International Anti-Corruption Day
There seems to be a day for everything.
Last Friday, December 9th was, according to this site: Christmas Card Day, International Day of Veterinary Medicine, National Llama Day, National Pastry Day, National Salesperson’s Day, Official Lost and Found Day, Weary Willie Day, World Techo Day, and International Anti-Corruption Day.
At the 20th International Anti-Corruption Conference, DOJ Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite ignored National Llama Day (as well as the other special days), but did recognize International Anti-Corruption Day and stated in this speech:
Friday Roundup
Asset recovery, export finance, Och-Ziff related, and for the reading stack.
It’s all here in the Friday roundup.
Asset Recovery
Efforts by the U.S. government to combat foreign corruption are broader than just the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. For instance, approximately ten years ago the DOJ announced a Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.
Recently, the DOJ announced:
Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski Speaks On A Variety Of FCPA Topics
Earlier this week, Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski delivered this speech at the FCPA’s annual dog and pony show (also know as the American Conference Institute’s FCPA conference).
As highlighted below, in the speech Benczkowski discussed individual and corporate enforcement, the DOJ’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, the recent trial in the Hoskins matters and agency issues, as well as DOJ policy.
Benczkowski began by noting the “remarkable prosecution activity and case developments in the FCPA space over the past year” and stated: