In a high stakes legal challenge, a woman who was found guilty of drug trafficking is disputing the use of expert testimony that led to her conviction. Labelled a “blind mule”, Delilah Diaz argues that she was unaware of the nearly 28 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed within the door panels of her boyfriend’s car when…
In a recent unsettling incident, Jeffrey Ferguson, a California criminal court judge, has been arrested on the suspicion of his wife’s murder. The arrest took place outside of his home in Anaheim Hills, California, where his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, was later discovered dead from at least one gunshot wound. More information can be found in…
Sidley Austin LLP, a preeminent international law firm, has recently shared that the outgoing chief of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division will be joining their ranks. The yet-unnamed official is scheduled to start in October, assuming a leadership role in the firm’s white collar defense and investigations practice. This move is of significant…
As the pressure from three pending criminal indictments starts to rise, former president Donald Trump seems to be pushing back against the legal hurdles facing him. He appears to be using his Truth Social feed as a platform to voice his discontent and dissatisfaction with the whole process. This was evident in a post he…
The legal expertise of Trump-appointed judge Aileen Cannon, known for her controversial involvement in the fight over the search warrant for top-secret documents at Mar-a-Lago, has been under increasing scrutiny. While her actions in this high-profile case have drawn public attention, professionals within legal circles are also expressing concern about her numerous judicial missteps in…
On July 26, 2023, an important message was delivered from the offices of the Commerce, Justice, and Treasury Departments in the form of a “Tri-Seal Compliance Note”. This second-ever issued note marks a significant moment in the development of corporate compliance and violation disclosure standards, aiming to guide businesses towards a path of self-regulatory transparency….
Industry insiders warn founders and operators of startups about the impending requirement potentially impacting their businesses. Specifically, their firms may be required to report the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) unless there is an exemption under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This obligation comes into effect as of January 1, 2024, and is detailed in this…
In a recent development, Elon Musk reportedly stated that he would cover the legal fees of individuals who were terminated due to abhorrent material published on Twitter. An intriguing assertion, given that Elon has a history of allegedly refusing to settle his own legal dues as per this report. More details on this story can…
In the ever-evolving realm of corporate compliance, the Justice Department’s recent revisions to its Corporate Enforcement Program and Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs highlight a renewed emphasis on compensation systems and consequence management. This paradigm shift and its implications were discussed extensively in a recent podcast episode titled Episode 284 — How to Implement a…
Jack Smith, the Special Prosecutor overseeing former President Donald Trump’scase relating to theJanuary 6th Insurrection and alleged election meddling, filed amotion on Saturday. The motion called for aprotective order to restrain Trump from publishing certain evidentiary materials, reacting tostatements made on Trump’s social media platform. Smith’s motion voiced concerns that if the defendant started publicly…
Two renowned human rights organisations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have demanded a comprehensive independent investigation into what transpired when a migrant vessel tragically sank off the coast of Pylos, Greece. The incident has led to at least 82 persons being declared dead, with the accounts of events provided by different parties being starkly…
Through a series of engaging conversations and expert analysis, seasoned criminal compliance commentator, Tom Fox, offers us an invaluable glimpse into some of this week’s most critical compliance news. In his regular feature, 10 for 10, Fox succinctly summarizes the key compliance stories and provides legal professionals with the insights they need to thrive in…
Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General has announced it would probe whether the recent Russian attacks on Odessa and other Black Sea ports amount to war crimes. These ports are crucial exporters of grain, forming a critical food supply for some of the world’s poorest nations. Despite Russia co-signing the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which…
Background check software is an essential tool used in today’s competitive job market to thoroughly investigate prospective employees. Owing to its comprehensive nature, it plays a crucial role in ensuring that pre-employment screening is conducted correctly. In light of this, a recent article published by Mitratech Holdings, Inc highlighted ten critical elements that such software…
The timeline of the 2020 election interference case concerning former President Donald Trump has recently garnered substantial attention, with its outcome continuing to hang in uncertainty after Trump’s arraignment in Washington, D.C. Legal minds observing the case express differing views. While some opine that the case can conclude prior to the 2024 general election given…
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently allowed President Joe Biden’s new asylum policy to remain in place, granting the administration’s motion for an emergency stay. This comes after last week’s filing by the Biden administration to keep the policy in place whilst appealing a previous federal district court ruling that struck…
On August 3, 2023, Unum Group – a Fortune 500 insurance company – became yet another target of cyber criminals as it revealed a data breach on its subsidiary- Starmount Life Insurance Company, Inc. The company posted a notice of data breach on its website, alerting users about unauthorized access to its MOVEit server. According…
In an unprecedented turn of events, a state judge based in California was recently charged with the murder of his wife. Authorities found the judge’s wife fatally shot, initiating an investigation that culminated in the judge’s arrest. Detailed coverage of the case can be found on the site of Law360. The potential implications of this…
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to encounter a turbulent legal and election timetable in the upcoming year, according to a recent report by Law360. The ex-president, currently engaged in a political campaign for a second term, additionally confronts an uncertain legal future due to multiple court proceedings. Six separate civil and criminal trials…
The United Kingdom has earned a bit of a reputation for lagging behind in terms of corporate criminal enforcement, especially when compared with the practices in the United States and elsewhere. However, over the recent years, it appears that the UK government is intent on rectifying this, as evidenced by a series of reforms aimed…
On Thursday, California bar prosecutors came to the agreement that one set, but not both, of the ethics charges against Tom Girardi’s son-in-law should be put on hold, given the ongoing related criminal case. This case is centered around the same alleged client deception. This development follows an ongoing saga entangling the Girardi family in…
A veteran criminal defense attorney is coming under fire in a legal malpractice suit initiated by the Texas Fair Defense Project (TFDP), a nonprofit organization aiming to protect indigent defendants. The suit pertains to the case of Michael Carter, a man who lost everything while incarcerated for over three years on a subsequently dismissed driving…
In an environment characterized by escalating complexity of regulatory compliance, businesses are often faced with intricate strategic decisions – one of them being whether to opt for voluntary self-disclosure or not. This becomes particularly relevant in light of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ), Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) and the Office of Foreign Assets…
As global legal practitioners know, law intersects with many areas of life, from criminal justice to corporate transactions. Health care is one such area where this intersection is distinctly prominent. A noteworthy publication shedding light on recent trends and issues is the ‘Better Health Care Newsletter’, released in August 2023. One piece that attracted attention…
As legal professionals around the globe reflect on the first year of the Biden Administration, they must take into account the changes implemented in enforcement guidance and policy. These changes pertain not only to criminal self-disclosures but also the deference to state regulators. In a published report found on JD Supra , it becomes clear…