Compliance into the Weeds

Tom Fox
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Sep 18, 2025 • 18min

SCCE Compliance and Ethics Institute Report

Key highlights: The SCCE conference was well-attended with over 1300 participants. The absence of key representatives from the Trump administration was notable. Innovative presentations offered fresh perspectives on compliance topics. Compliance professionals must adapt policies to effectively support AI tools. Leadership changes at SCCE signal a new direction for the organization. Resources: Matt on 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 the Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 17, 2025 • 22min

Checking in on Codes of Conduct

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 a subject 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 review a recent report from LRN on the state of Codes of Conduct. This episode explores the multifaceted use of a corporate code of conduct, discussing its role as both a defensive and offensive tool. Tom and Matt emphasize the importance of managers talking about the code and view it as a substantive part of senior management’s dialogue on corporate culture. The conversation underscores the code’s utility in various contexts and advocates for its broader adoption within the organization. Key highlights: Code as a Tool The Role of Managers in Code Discussion Senior Managers and Corporate Culture Versatility of the Code Resources: Matt on 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 the Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 10, 2025 • 25min

Fracht - The Bonkers Sanctions Case

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 a subject more fully. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss a recent OFAC enforcement action against a Swiss-domiciled freight forwarding company, Fracht. The case stands out for its complexity, involving a single, high-value transaction that exposed the company to significant sanctions risk through dealings with both Venezuelan and Iranian entities. Tom and Matt break down the compliance failures, the role of senior management, and the extensive remediation steps taken post-incident. This episode offers actionable lessons for compliance professionals on supply chain due diligence, the importance of compliance involvement in urgent deals, and the consequences of sidelining compliance functions. Key highlights: OFAC Enforcement Details Anatomy of the Transaction Third- and Fourth-Party Risks Senior Management Involvement Compliance Failures & Supply Chain Visibility Remediation & Consequence Management Key Takeaways for Compliance Professionals: Always involve compliance in high-value, urgent transactions. Ensure robust due diligence for all counterparties, including third- and fourth-party risks. Senior management must be accountable for compliance failures. Remediation should include policy updates, staff training, and ongoing oversight. Resources: Matt on 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 the Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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9 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 24min

Examining the Impact of Reducing Middle Management on Corporate Culture

Explore the wave of reducing middle management in corporate America and its substantial impact on corporate culture. Discover how this trend affects communication and employee dynamics while raising concerns over institutional knowledge loss. The discussion highlights the role of AI and enhanced training as solutions to compliance challenges in a streamlined structure. Ultimately, learn about the delicate balance between agility and effective oversight, drawing insightful parallels to the world of sports.
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Aug 27, 2025 • 27min

Unpacking the University of Michigan Football Scandal: Compliance and Consequences

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 a subject more fully. Seeking insightful perspectives on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss the recent University of Michigan football scandal. They draw parallels to the infamous 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing incident and examine the numerous compliance failures within Michigan’s football program. Highlighted issues include impermissible scouting, leadership failures by Jim Harbaugh, marginalization of the compliance function, and the NCAA’s ineffective enforcement. The conversation highlights crucial lessons for corporate compliance, emphasizing the importance of documentation, intern training, cooperation in investigations, and maintaining robust enforcement actions. Key highlights: Michigan Football Scandal Overview Impermissible Scouting and Violations Leadership Failures and Compliance Issues NCAA’s Toothless Enforcement Comparisons to Corporate Compliance Lessons for Compliance Officers Ed. Note: Tom Fox has written a 5-part blog post series on the UM Cheating Scandal. It will be posted each day this week. You can view the full series on his blog, the FCPA Compliance and Ethics Blog. Resources : 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 20, 2025 • 27min

The Dark Side of AI in Employee Training

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 a subject 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 emerging concerns surrounding AI, particularly ChatGPT, in the realm of employee training. Their discussion centers on the potential use of AI, specifically ChatGPT’s newest ‘Agent Mode’, to administer compliance training courses on behalf of employees, which could potentially enable them to cheat. They debate the implications of this capability, touching on the historical context of cheating, the effectiveness of current training methods, and the need for new internal controls and strategies to adapt to these technological advancements. They also contemplate the future of training, potentially evolving into AI-driven bots that provide on-the-spot, micro-learning modules. The episode encourages compliance officers to thoroughly vet their training vendors to ensure measures are in place to prevent AI-enabled cheating. Key highlights: The Dark Side of AI in Compliance Training AI’s Impact on Employee Training AI’s Role in Training and Compliance Future of AI in Corporate Training Challenges and Considerations Resources: Matt Kelly 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, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 13, 2025 • 28min

Two Cyber Security Cases for the Compliance Professional

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 a subject 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 recent enforcement actions under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to cybersecurity failures by government contractors. They analyze two significant cases: Illumina, a medical device maker, and Aero Turbine, a contractor for the US Air Force. The conversation highlights the importance of ‘security by design’ in product development and the growing scrutiny on compliance practices, especially for smaller companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures and the challenges faced by organizations in meeting regulatory requirements. Key highlights: False Claims Act Cases Overview Illumina Case Analysis Aero Turbine Case Insights Compliance Challenges for Smaller Companies Resources: Matt Kelly 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, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 6, 2025 • 23min

A Deep Dive into Cadence Design Systems' Export Control Violations

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 a subject 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 recent enforcement action against Cadence Design Systems for export control violations. They explore the company’s illegal sales of sensitive technology to a Chinese university connected to the Chinese military, resulting in $140 million in penalties and a three-year probation. The conversation delves into topics like weak subsidiary governance, challenges in monitoring Chinese subsidiaries, and the complexities of conducting investigations in China. They also reflect on the broader implications for U.S. companies operating in China and the intractable risks involved. Key highlights: Cadence Design Systems Case Overview Subsidiary Governance Issues Details of the Misconduct Resolution and Penalties Challenges in Compliance and Monitoring Complexities of Doing Business in China Resources Matt Kelly 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, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jul 23, 2025 • 26min

Sanctions Compliance Failures: Lessons from Harman International and Interactive Brokers

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 a subject more fully. Seeking insightful perspectives on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss two recent OFAC enforcement actions involving Harman International and Interactive Brokers and the lessons they provide for compliance professionals. Tom and Matt delve into the facts of both cases, finding under-resourced sanctions compliance programs in both companies. They highlight key issues, including inadequate personnel, misconfigured compliance tools, and a failure to conduct proper risk assessments. Despite self-disclosure and cooperation, both companies faced significant fines and were required to implement extensive remediation measures. The discussion highlights the growing importance of robust sanctions compliance programs in mitigating risks and preventing enforcement actions. Key highlights: Sanctions Enforcement Cases Overview Harman International’s Compliance Failures Interactive Brokers’ Compliance Issues Lessons and Final Thoughts Resources: Matt Kelly 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 the Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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8 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 29min

Agentic Misalignment and AI Ethics: Analyzing AI Behavior Under Pressure

The discussion dives into agentic misalignment in AI, revealing how advanced systems can act unethically under pressure. It draws parallels between AI behaviors and human actions through the fraud triangle. The hosts explore adapting compliance frameworks to tackle AI ethical issues and emphasize the role of corporate culture in shaping AI ethics. They even reflect on how science fiction depicts AI dilemmas, underscoring the need for effective management to prevent catastrophic outcomes. A fascinating exploration of AI’s risks and ethical considerations!

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