Celebrating the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention at 20, the FCPA at 40, and Addressing the Challenges Ahead
On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, the International Anti-Corruption Law Program at American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) hosted the event “Celebrating the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention at 20, the FCPA at 40 & Addressing the Challenges Ahead.”
Following introductory remarks by Nancy Boswell, Director of the AUWCL Anti-Corruption Law Program, a panel moderated by Kathryn Nickerson, Department of Commerce, featured John P. Cronan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; Stuart Eizenstat, President Carter's Domestic Policy Advisor, U.S. Ambassador to the EU, Under Secretary of State & Commerce and Deputy Secretary of Treasury; and Drago Kos, Chair, OECD Working Group on Bribery. They agreed that the FCPA and extra-territorial US enforcement paved the way for other major exporters to implement laws criminalizing foreign bribery and ending their tax deductibility. However, continued US leadership will be essential to securing a consistent, global legal regime and vigorous enforcement.
A second panel focused on addressing related challenges, including illicit funds stashed in offshore centers and impunity of corrupt public officials. Moderated by Shruti Shah, International Coalition for Integrity, it featured Daniel Claman, Principal Deputy Chief, Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section, Department of Justice; Eva Hampl, Director, Investment, Trade & Financial Services, U.S. Council for International Business; Brooks Hickman, Analyst, OECD Anti-Corruption Division; Heather Lowe, Legal Counsel & Director of Government Affairs, Global Financial Integrity; and, Leo Tsao, Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division, Department of Justice.
The event, co-sponsored by the ABA Section of International Law, OECD and Women in International Trade (WIIT), attracted more than 80 attendees from the legal, policy and AUWCL communities.