Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Corrupt Persuaders

By Jeremy Freeman
May 02, 2005

The Supreme Court has now heard oral argument in the late Arthur Andersen's petition to review its conviction under the federal “witness tampering” statute, 18 U.S.C. ' 1512(b)(2). This case is the most recent and infamous manifestation of a decade-long debate about the statute. Now the Court has an opportunity to impose clear rules that would resolve the uncertainty about the scope and mental state required to prove “witness tampering” in federal investigations of all kinds.

Arthur Andersen (Andersen) was convicted in 2002 on the theory that it “corruptly” persuaded members of its Enron audit engagement team to comply with Andersen's document retention policy by destroying documents while the SEC was conducting an informal inquiry into Enron. The decision transformed routine document retention issues into life or death decisions for many companies and highlighted the broad and divergent views of federal circuit courts in interpreting the law.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.