Features

Mail and Wire Fraud Post 'Kelly v. United States'
This article discusses the holding by the U.S. Supreme Court Kelly v. U.S. and explains its impact on subsequent cases and concludes with a discussion of the "right to control" theory of mail and wire fraud, which has been challenged in light of the Kelly decision.
Features

Anti-Bullying and Corporate Responsibility
As boards implement anti-bullying policies to protect against a toxic management-to-employee workplace environment, they should also consider extending similar protection to the vital interactions between the general counsel and the CEO.
Features

Insurance Fraud Remains Key Area of Government Focus
During the past year, there were important government reports examining the defrauding of health insurance programs, new trends and government initiatives relating to fraud, and insurance fraud cases involving significant numbers of defendants. When added together, it is not difficult to understand why insurance fraud remains such a key area of focus for government officials, carriers and attorneys.
Features

Fourth Circuit: Shareholders Face High Bar In Demonstrating Scienter
A recent Fourth Circuit decision held that shareholders must meet a high bar in demonstrating scienter to avoid early dismissal of the case. The decision also shows the fact-intensive approach courts use to distinguish fraudulent statements from those that, even if mistaken, were made innocently.
Features

Biden Administration Corporate Enforcement Policies More Symbolism than Effective Reform
By undoing some of the higher profile policy changes of the prior administration that many perceived as business-friendly, the current administration has served notice on the business and financial community of a return to practices characteristic of a more aggressive enforcement regime.
Features

With 'Great Resignation', Corporations Need to Prepare for the Great Investigation
Major crisis events, such as political uprisings or financial downturns, are typically followed by an increase in fraud in the business sector and heightened risk to corporate IP and other sensitive information. Anecdotally, this seems to be proving out again in the recent and ongoing fallout from the pandemic. Even before this Great Resignation movement, corporations across the globe were reporting increases in suspicious activity, data leakage, IP theft and other data risks stemming from departing employees and remote workers.
Features

Potential Criminal and Civil Penalties of Digital Asset Exchanges
This article discusses the potential criminal and civil penalties that companies can face if their employees engage in insider trading in digital assets, and suggests several measures that exchanges can take to reduce their exposure from such risks.
Features

Feds Jumping Into Corporate Privacy and Cybersecurity Enforcement
The past 12 months have seen a steady drumbeat of action by federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies of which in-house counsel should take note. Whether new guidance, regulation, investigations, or enforcement activity, the message is clear: The federal government is paying close attention to how companies are handling and protecting their data — especially consumer and sensitive data.
Features

Can A Private Citizen Perform An Official Act?
This article discusses the importance of the "official act" requirement established in McDonnell v. United States, and how its logic should lead to a parallel requirement that private citizens should not be chargeable with the commission of official acts as part of a scheme to deprive the public of honest services.
Features

Being Selective: How Companies May Best Protect Privilege When Cooperating With a Government Investigation
This article explores a key consideration for companies under government investigation: whether voluntary disclosure of privileged information in an effort to obtain cooperation credit waives the privilege vis-à-vis third parties in subsequent litigation.
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