Compliance into the Weeds

Tom Fox
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Jan 28, 2026 • 26min

The Essence of Leadership and Why Donald Trump Is Not a Role Model

The award-winning Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to explore it more fully. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of #ComplianceintotheWeeds, Tom Fox, and Matt Kelly look at the leadership failures from Donald Trump and his administration after the killing of Alex Pretti last weekend. This episode has significant editorial commentary. Matt and Tom critically examine the behavior and leadership failings of Donald Trump and his Administration in the wake of the shooting of Alex Pretti and argue that his approach is far from exemplary for CEOs or business leaders. The discussion highlights the essence of effective leadership as the ability to instill trust and direction, contrasting this with Trump's history of questionable business acumen and the allegations of his disastrous lying to the American people. The takeaway is that true leadership involves integrity, trustworthiness, and the ability to inspire and guide employees toward a common goal, traits that Trump is argued to lack.  Key highlights: Comparing CEOs to Donald Trump Crisis of hyper-transparency Corporate responses. Were they enough or a first step? Leadership and Trust Resources: Matt in Radical Compliance Tom Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn A multi-award-winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of the Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcasts, a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, a Communicator Award, and a W3 Award, all for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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8 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 24min

Addressing Retaliation Against Compliance Officers: Strategies and Insights

A deep dive into retaliation risks faced by compliance officers and real-world patterns that raise personal exposure. They explore why ongoing communication with senior leaders can defuse conflicts. Practical tactics for building executive relationships, preemptive remediation, and scenario-based training are discussed. The conversation frames compliance drills like cybersecurity exercises to win board buy-in.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 22min

The Department of Retribution

The award winning, Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast which takes a deep dive into a compliance related topic, literally going into the weeds to more fully explore a subject. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly look at the new DOJ AAG position which will report directly to the White House.    In this episode, Tom and Matt discuss the recent developments in the Department of Justice, particularly the establishment of a new Assistant Attorney General for fraud reporting directly to the White House. They explore the implications of this move, the regulatory chaos it may create, and the potential for politically motivated enforcement actions. The conversation emphasizes the uncertainty facing compliance professionals and the need for robust risk management strategies in light of these changes as well as the chaos capitalism the Administration has introduced into American business.  Key Highlights  ·      Introduction to the Department of Retribution ·      The New Assistant Attorney General for Fraud ·      Political Implications of Fraud Enforcement ·      Potential Targets of Enforcement ·      Navigating Chaos Capitalism ·      Risk Management Strategies for Compliance Professionals  Resources Matt in Radical Compliance Tom   Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn   A multi-award winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of a Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcast and a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, Communicator and w3 Award, all for podcast excellence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 7, 2026 • 32min

Matt’s Key Compliance Issues and Trends to Watch in 2026

Anticipated FCPA enforcement against telecom giant ZTE raises questions about the impact of political influence on corporate prosecutions. They discuss the controversial indictment of SmartMatic and the risks of self-disclosure in a politicized Department of Justice. Additionally, there's concern over potential changes to Qui Tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act and ongoing conflicts between federal and state AI regulations. The financial landscape for AI funding deals is also examined, with fears of a crisis reminiscent of 2008.
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6 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 22min

Special Holiday Episode: MGI’s Compliance Triumph in DOJ Tariff Evasion Case

Delve into the fascinating world of compliance with a gripping case of tariff evasion at MGI International. Explore how self-disclosure and robust internal investigations earned them a declination from the DOJ. The discussion includes insights on the importance of cooperation and the implications for future compliance policies. Hear about the COO's guilty plea and the evolving DOJ landscape that encourages voluntary disclosures. It's a roadmap for navigating the complexities of compliance, wrapped in an engaging holiday context!
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Dec 17, 2025 • 23min

The DOJ's Inconsistent Stance on White Collar Crime and FCPA Enforcement

The award winning, Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast which takes a deep dive into a compliance related topic, literally going into the weeds to more fully explore a subject. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly look at the mixed and muddled messages coming out of the DOJ on FCPA and white collar enforcement.    We discuss recent signals from the DOJ suggesting a reinvigorated stance on corporate malfeasance, juxtaposed with actions like the pardoning of convicted offenders which muddle the overall message. The conversation covers Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's inflammatory speech on the seriousness of FCPA actions, the controversial pardons by President Trump, and the apparent selective enforcement against foreign versus U.S. companies. The episode examines the ramifications of these mixed signals for compliance professionals, companies, and whistleblowers, emphasizing the need for clearer guidance and consistency from the DOJ.  Key Highlights  ·      Mixed Messages from the Justice Department on FCPA and White Collar Enforcement ·      Deputy Attorney General's Angry Speech ·      Controversial Pardons and Their Implications ·      ZTE and FCPA Charges ·      Inconsistencies and Compliance Challenges ·      The Impact of Presidential Pardons on Compliance  Resources Matt in Radical Compliance  Tom   Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn  A multi-award winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of a Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcast and a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, Communicator and w3 Award, all for podcast excellence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 10, 2025 • 20min

Live from the Floor of ACI

The award-winning Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to explore it more fully. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss their initial reflections on the first day of the recently concluded ACI-FCPA and Global Anti-Corruption Conference. Key points include the current state of FCPA enforcement, the impact of reduced DOJ manpower, and the continued importance of robust compliance. Despite claims about ramping up enforcement, the number of staff dedicated to FCPA cases has been significantly reduced. They also touch on the DOJ’s focus on comprehensive white-collar crime enforcement, including healthcare fraud and cartel-related activities. Additionally, they discuss Severin Wirz’s new book, Bribery Beyond Borders, on the historical context of FCPA enforcement. Key highlights: FCPA Enforcement Realities White Collar Crime and DOJ Priorities Cartels and Corruption Whistleblower Program Insights Book Signing and Historical Context Resources: Matt in Radical Compliance Tom Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn A multi-award-winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of the Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcasts, a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, a Communicator Award, and a W3 Award, all for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 3, 2025 • 20min

Understanding SFO Guidance and Compliance Program Assessments

The award-winning Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to explore it more fully. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss the recently released Serious Fraud Office (SFO) guidance on compliance programs. Tom and Matt highlight the SFO's lack of specific directives and contrast them with more detailed guidance from the United States. The conversation focuses on the ambiguity organizations face in understanding what the SFO looks for in assessing compliance programs and underscores the need for a more holistic, tailored approach to individual circumstances. Key highlights: Introduction to SFO Guidance Comparing SFO Guidance with US Standards Uncertainty in SFO's Expectations Holistic Assessment by SFO Resources: Matt in Radical Compliance Tom in the FCPA Compliance and Ethics Blog A multi-award-winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of the Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcasts, a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, a Communicator Award, and a W3 Award, all for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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6 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 24min

Uncovering FCPA Violations: Millicom's Complex Case Involving Drug Cartel Funds

Dive into the complex case of Millicom Cellular, where duffel bags stuffed with drug cartel cash were used to bribe Guatemalan officials. Discover how this intricate FCPA enforcement action unfolded, revealing a lack of operational control within the joint venture. The episode explores the critical implications for compliance in high-risk regions and the importance of robust due diligence. With insights on narco-trafficking connections and lessons for joint-venture compliance, this discussion is both compelling and educational.
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Nov 12, 2025 • 26min

The Atlanta Hawks Scandal: Lessons in Financial Misconduct

The award winning, Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast which takes a deep dive into a compliance related topic, literally going into the weeds to more fully explore a subject. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss the basics of fraud prevention with headlines torn from the NBA and a FinServ enforcement action.  The embezzlement scandal at the Atlanta Hawks has drawn attention to critical weaknesses in corporate governance and internal control systems, serving as a cautionary tale for organizations everywhere. They view the scandal as a glaring example of the consequences of neglecting internal controls and the segregation of duties, where an executive, Leslie Jones, exploited their finance role to embezzle funds for personal indulgences. His experience underscores the value of routine audits, which, despite their perceived monotony, are essential for uncovering fraud. Meanwhile, Matt is equally concerned, focusing on the need for robust internal controls and the principle of least privilege, warning against granting excessive access to employees to prevent misuse of power and safeguard organizational integrity.  Key Highlights  ·      Lessons from Atlanta Hawks Fraud Case ·      Least Privilege Access for Preventing Financial Fraud ·      Financial Data Examination for Fraud Detection ·      Executives' Lavish Misconduct: Lessons in Ethics  Resources Matt in Radical Compliance   Tom   Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn   A multi-award winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of a Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcast and a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred a Davey, Communicator and w3 Award, all for podcast excellence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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