Foreign Corrupt Practices reform may not be the hot issue it was circa 2011 (political posturing by the DOJ in connection with the FCPA Guidance as well as certain headlines caused the issue to simmer), but Congress remains interested in FCPA issues.
For instance, in connection with a recent confirmation hearing for Leslie Caldwell to be the DOJ’s Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Caldwell several FCPA-related questions for the record.
Caldwell punted on every question (perhaps not surprising given that Caldwell is not currently at the DOJ), but the questions posed nevertheless highlight specific FCPA issues on the minds of certain members of Congress.
Set forth in full below are the FCPA-related questions by Senator Grassley and Caldwell’s responses.
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“I recently asked Attorney General Holder these questions and have not yet received response. As the FCPA falls within the Criminal Division, would you please respond to the following questions.
What are the Department’s current enforcement priorities under the FCPA?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address this question. If I am confirmed as the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, I assure you that I will be vigilant in pursuing cases under the FCPA.
What particular industries, markets or practices is the Department focusing on, and why?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address this question. As noted above, if I am confirmed as the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, I assure you that I will be vigilant in pursuing cases under the FCPA.
What proportion of the Department’s enforcement activity during 2013 involved non-U.S. companies?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address this question. If I am confirmed as the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, I assure you that I will be vigilant in pursuing cases against U.S. and non-U.S. companies that violate the FCPA.
Has the Department seen a recent increase in whistleblower claims of FCPA violations? If so, to what would you attribute that? How has the Department responded?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address these questions.
Although the Department does not publicize each particular instance in which it declines prosecution despite evidence of an FCPA violation, what characterized the Department’s declinations during 2013? Did the number increase from 2012? What factors were most important in leading the Department to decline prosecution?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address these questions. While I have not been privy to the internal deliberations surrounding the Department’s declination decisions, if confirmed as the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, I assure you that declination decisions will be based on the law and the evidence presented.
In November 2012, the Department and SEC issued the FCPA “Resource Guide,” which reflected guidance from your agencies regarding the interpretation and enforcement of the FCPA. Does the Department anticipate updating, supplementing or amending the “Resource Guide” in the foreseeable future?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address this question.
In 2013, the Department issued only one Opinion Release concerning the FCPA. Does the Department consider the “Resource Guide” a substitute for its opinion release program?
Answer: I am not in the Department; therefore, I am not in a position to address this question.
