Bribe, Swindle or Steal

Here's our conversation with Bill Browder from the 2022 TRACE London Forum. Bill discusses his book Freezing Order and his ongoing quest for accountability and justice following the abuse and murder of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky. This episode was originally published on 28 September 2022.

Sally Dennis, former President of Rugby Canada and current Canadian representative on the Council of World Rugby, describes her role in the professionalization of sports governance, where challenges remain—​ and rugby's arguably unique invulnerability to match fixing! This episode was originally published on 17 July 2024.

Ken Bensinger, award-winning investigative reporter, author and Pulitzer Prize finalist, discusses his fascinating book, Red Card, and the decades of misconduct by FIFA eventually uncovered by the FBI. We play "violation bingo" as Ken describes the bribery, self-dealing, conflicts of interest and money-laundering that were business as usual at FIFA. This episode was originally published on 27 June 2018.

Misti Mukherjee and Debra Joy Pérez dive into the shifting landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They discuss the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action and the Department of Justice's guidelines on lawful DEI practices. The conversation highlights the risks of superficial measures like 'cultural fit' and segregation. Debra emphasizes using data to drive effective DEI decisions linked to organizational excellence. They argue for evidence-based practices that embed DEI within compliance, warning against retreating from these vital efforts.

Gordon McKechnie, Executive President of Canadian Banknote, shares insights on changing U.S.-Canada relations. He discusses how Canada’s pivot toward Europe and Asia is reshaping trade and defense dynamics. McKechnie highlights the impact of recent tariffs and differing foreign policies, as well as the effects on tourism and cross-border travel. He notes rising Canadian defense spending amidst U.S. policy shifts and reflects on the broader implications for bilateral ties, ultimately expressing hope for healing the divide.

At the 2025 TRACE Forum, Kirk Foster, Assistant General Counsel and Director of Compliance at HII Mission Technologies, explores how organizations can use Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) alongside compliance to proactively address emerging risks. By leveraging ERM, Kirk discusses how companies can make data-driven decisions, increase efficiency, reduce redundancy, and support business growth.

Chuck Duross, a leading expert in anti-corruption law and former chief of the FCPA unit at the DOJ, dives into the complexities of voluntary self-disclosure for companies. He explains the evolving DOJ policies and the tough balance of risks versus rewards. Chuck shares insights on what constitutes a 'timely' disclosure, the potential benefits like reduced fines, and the serious pitfalls, including loss of control in investigations. He also discusses how past examples, like Morgan Stanley's approach, inform today's disclosure decisions.

At the 2025 TRACE Annapolis Forum, Billy Jacobson, Partner at Jacobson Lopez, explores the DOJ's shifting FCPA priorities—from a focus on "grand corruption" and the costs of investigations to prosecutorial uncertainty and statutes of limitation. In today's unpredictable environment, companies must stay the course, protect resources, and invest in training.

Nicola Bonucci, an Associate Professor at Paris Cité and former General Counsel of the OECD, shares insights from his 25 years of anti-bribery expertise. He discusses the evolution of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, highlighting shifts in enforcement dynamics and the U.S.'s fluctuating role. Nicola warns of rising risks for companies amid evolving political landscapes and nebulous guidance on business practices. He emphasizes the importance of strong compliance programs as multijurisdictional enforcement becomes more common, particularly with new alliances forming in the UK, France, and beyond.

Speaking at the 2022 TRACE London Forum, Oliver Bullough, author of Butler to the World, discusses the UK's role as an enabler of financial crime, efforts toward accountability, the balance between transparency and privacy, and the weaponization of lawsuits in British courts to silence journalists. This episode was originally published on 26 October 2022.