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BEST PRACTICES FOR MITIGATING FCPA RISK Ed Fishman Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP 1601 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-1600 (202) 778-9456.

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Presentation on theme: "BEST PRACTICES FOR MITIGATING FCPA RISK Ed Fishman Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP 1601 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-1600 (202) 778-9456."— Presentation transcript:

1 BEST PRACTICES FOR MITIGATING FCPA RISK Ed Fishman Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP 1601 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-1600 (202) 778-9456 ed.fishman@klgates.com Prepared for Strafford Publications Teleconference “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in China” April 1, 2008 ©2007 Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP All Rights Reserved

2 Why is Risk Mitigation Important?  Criminal Penalties  Up to $2 million per violation for companies  Up to $250,000 fine and 5 years in prison for individuals  Alternative fines equal to twice amount of total profit  Civil Penalties  Injunctions against future violations  Civil monetary penalties  Collateral consequences (e.g., debarment)  A company cannot indemnify an officer, director, employee or consultant for fines assessed in violation of the FCPA and insurance will not cover such fines or penalties.

3 FCPA Risk Mitigation Essentials Three Core Elements:  Internal Compliance Program  Due Diligence on Third Parties/Transactions  Prompt Response to Possible Violations U.S. Government will consider each of these elements in evaluating whether to bring enforcement action.

4 FCPA Compliance Program Essentials  FCPA Policy Framework  Written and Clearly Defined Corporate Policy  Regularly Updated and Improved  Aim for Clarity and Simplicity  Effectively Disseminated and Communicated  Tailored To Local Risks and Practices  Subset of Corporate Ethics Policies  Addresses Local and Other Applicable Laws

5 FCPA Compliance Policy (cont.)  Substantive Content of FCPA Policy  Explain Key Statutory Provisions and Risk Areas  Provide Guidance on Permissible Behavior  Tailor to Specific Operating Risks  Gift Guidelines – No Cash; Nominal Value  Meal and Entertainment – Legitimate Business Purpose, No Cash and Not Excessive  Travel – Reasonable and Bona Fide Expenditures in Connection with Product Demonstration  Donations and Lobbying – Seek Company Approval

6 FCPA Compliance Policy (Cont.)  FCPA Internal Controls  Cash Handling Procedures  Accounting and Financial Controls  Recordkeeping Requirements  Segregation of Duties  Documentation Requirements  Authorization Requirements

7 FCPA Compliance Program (cont.)  Training and Education  Live Training Preferred  Local Language If Necessary  Must Be Understandable To Be Effective  Initial Training Upon Hiring/Acquisition  Periodic Refresher Sessions  Supplemental Distributions of Policy/Law Changes

8 FCPA Compliance Program (Cont.)  Compliance Monitoring  Training Completion Certification  Annual Compliance Certification  Audit Testing of High-Risk Areas  Internal/External Compliance Audits  Confidential Reporting System  “Tone at the Top”

9 FCPA Compliance Program (cont.)  Third Party Agent/Partner Compliance Framework  FCPA Certifications  Contract Reps and Warranties  FCPA Policy Communication and Training  Third Party Due Diligence Steps (discussed further below)  Range of Third Party Relationships At Issue  Challenge is Finding Right Balance

10 FCPA Third Party Due Diligence  Determine the Competence, Expertise and Reputation of the Third Party  Determine Third Party’s Relations With Government Officials through Family, Prior Employment or Political Activity  Caution: Carefully Scrutinize “Success Fees”  Maintain Records of Due Diligence  Sources of Inquiry: Law Firms, Audit/Consulting Firms, U.S. Embassy, Commerce/State Department, Private Investigators, and Possibly Legal Opinions

11 FCPA Third Party Due Diligence Red Flags  A history of corruption in a country  Any family relationship between participants and government officials  Any unusual means of payment  The size of the commission paid to the agent in relation to the services performed  Apparent lack of qualifications on the part of the agent to perform services

12 FCPA Third Party Due Diligence Red Flags (cont.)  Refusal by any participants to sign certifications or make representations that they will not violate FCPA  Any misrepresentations in connection with proposed transaction  Requests for false or incomplete documentation  Lack of transparency in financial records  Lack of internal controls

13 FCPA Red Flags in Plain English  “Please Pay Me In Cash”  “Pay Me Through My Offshore Bank Account”  “My Close Relative Is A Government Official, and You Don’t Have A Chance Unless You Deal With Me”  “I Have No Facilities or Staff, But I’ll Get the Job Done”  “I Have Never Worked In Your Industry Before, But I Know The Right People”  “While My Commission Rate is Twice The Market Rate, I’m Well Worth It”

14 FCPA Transactional Due Diligence  Evaluate the Target Company  Competence and Expertise  Business Model  Relationships with Government Officials  Family and Business Relationships  Corporate Compliance Culture  Management Structure

15 FCPA Transactional Due Diligence  Evaluate FCPA Compliance Risk  Audit Books and Records  Audit Internal Controls  Examine FCPA Compliance History  Review Due Diligence Practices  Obtain Legal Opinion on Compliance with Local Laws  Obtain Reps and Warranties

16 Prompt Response to Potential Violations  What to do if potential FCPA violation is suspected?  Investigate through internal/external resources  Maintain objectivity, confidentiality and privileges  Conduct prompt and thorough investigation  Comply with applicable employment/other laws  Report findings to appropriate internal channels  Evaluate voluntary disclosure issue

17 Prompt Response to Potential Violations  Voluntary Disclosure Considerations  DOJ/SEC Cooperation for Credit  Attorney-Client Privilege Waiver  Prior Violations  Clarity of Evidence  Public or Private Company Considerations

18 Prompt Response to Potential Violations  What to do when you encounter Red Flags?  Increase Level of Due Diligence Investigation  Require Investigation by M&A Target  Conduct Joint Investigation  Evaluate Potential Successor Liability  Weigh Business Risks of Transaction

19 Prompt Response to Potential Violations  What to do when you discover potential violation as part of M&A transaction?  Require Disclosure  Government  Public Filings  Require Resolution As Condition to Closing  Delay  Material Changes  Accept Risk and Close  Protection through Escrow  Obligation to Continue Investigation  Open-ended Liability

20 QUESTIONS?  Contact: Ed Fishman Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP 1601 K Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 (202)778-9456 (direct) ed.fishman@klgates.com


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