ABA's 39th National Institute: U.S. Tightens Sanctions, Emphasizes Whistleblower Protection
The American Bar Association (ABA) recently hosted the 39th Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime from March 6-8, 2024. The event, attended by leaders from international organizations and U.S. agencies, focused on sanctions enforcement, export controls, whistleblower practices, and money laundering. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivered keynote addresses, emphasizing the intersection of corporate compliance and national security interests.
The 'Sanctions and Export Control Enforcement' panel highlighted increased collaboration between federal agencies and U.S. allies. Panelists stressed the importance of preventing U.S. components from reaching adversaries like Russia and Iran. The 'Advances in False Claims Act and Whistleblower Practice' panel discussed recent Supreme Court rulings and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York's Whistleblower Pilot Program.
The event also saw updates to the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Industry and Security's Voluntary Self-Disclosure policy, now emphasizing transparency and streamlined compliance processes. The BIS, OFAC, and the NOAA released the Tri-Seal Compliance Note, providing guidance for foreign-based persons to comply with U.S. sanctions and export control laws. The 'Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture' panel discussed the Binance case and the recent decision declaring the Corporate Transparency Act unconstitutional.
The ABA's event underscored the evolving landscape of white-collar crime enforcement, with increased focus on international cooperation, whistleblower protections, and clear guidance for corporate compliance. The updates to policies and the release of the Tri-Seal Compliance Note reflect a commitment to transparency and streamlined processes, aiming to strengthen national security and global economic stability.
