Program Description: At this briefing the Searle Civil Justice Institute released its report on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement actions.  We examined the legal and policy implications of the paper’s findings.

In the 1970’s, Congressional investigations revealed that many US firms were making direct and indirect payments to foreign government officials to obtain business.  Concerns about these activities culminated in December 1977 with the passage of the FCPA, making the US the first country to prohibit payments to foreign government officials to secure a business advantage.

There has been a marked increase in FCPA enforcement in recent years: prior to 2005, the Department of Justice and the Securities Exchange Commission brought about two cases per year; since 2005, enforcement has increased to an average of fifteen cases per year.

This increase in enforcement actions has sparked a vibrant debate, with some calling for the reform of the FCPA.

Featuring

Gerald Martin, Associate Professor, American University

and

Matthew Miner, Partner, White & Case LLP

For More Information, Contact: Congressional Civil Justice Caucus Academy
703.993.9964
CCJCA@gmu.edu