Info

FCPA Compliance Report

Tom Fox has practiced law in Houston for 30 years and now brings you the FCPA Compliance and Ethics Report. Learn the latest in anti-corruption and anti-bribery compliance and international transaction issues, as well as business solutions to compliance problems.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
FCPA Compliance Report
2019
May


2018
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
March
February


2015
December


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: Page 1
Jun 6, 2017

One of the things that I learned from the television series M*A*S*H was the need for triage. In the hospital setting, triage is the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition. This is considered in different language in the Justice Department’s (DOJ) Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (Evaluation), which under Prong 7 reads, in part, Properly Scoped Investigation by Qualified PersonnelHow has the company ensured that the investigations have been properly scoped, and were independent, objective, appropriately conducted, and properly documented? Tying all of together is short but succinct statement found in the 2012 FCPA Guidance, “once an allegation is made, companies should have in place an efficient, reliable,  and properly funded process for investigating the allegation and documenting the company’s response, including any disciplinary or remediation measures taken.” 

Given the number of ways that information about violations or potential violations can be communicated to the government regulators,  having a robust triage system is an important way that a company can separate the wheat from the chaff and bring the right number of resources to bear on a compliance problem. One of the things that this is important in making an initial determination of whether to bring in outside counsel to head up an investigation. It is also important in a determination of the resources that you may want or need to commit to a problem. You literally need to “kick the tires” of any allegations or information so that you know the circumstances in front of you before you make the decision going forward. You can do this through a robust triage process. 

Jonathan Marks, a partner at Marcum LLP has suggested a five-stage triage process which allows for not only an early assessment of any allegations but also a manner to think through your investigative approach. Marks cautions you must have an experienced investigator or other seasoned professional making these determinations, if not a more well-rounded group or committee. Next, what will be the types of evidence you will need to consider going forward. Finally, before selecting a triage solution you should understand what tools are available, including both forensic and human, to complete the investigation. Marks’ five-stage process includes the following: 

Stage 1.  These consist of allegations have a low threat level and do not suggest a breakdown of internal controls. Tips that get grouped into this stage do not have a financial or reputational impact. 

Stage 2. These allegations are more serious in nature, and often indicate some deficiency in the design of internal controls. Examples include business rule violations such as recurring employee theft or patterns of falsifying expense reports. 

Stage 3. These allegations are serious in nature, generally involve an override of internal controls, and thus are at a minimum a serious deficiency. But they have only a minimal impact on the financial statements or the company’s reputation. More serious allegations in this category include fraud, embezzlement, and bribery involving employees or mid-level management. 

Stage 4. These are serious allegations that could have an impact on the completeness and accuracy of the audited financial statements, and that could indicate a material weakness in internal controls. They do not, however, appear to involve any member of the senior management team. 

Stage 5. These are serious allegations that involve one or more members of the senior management team, or are serious enough to damage the company’s reputation. The receipt of allegations in this stage usually place the company into crisis management mode, and could result in the restatement of audited financial statements or added regulatory scrutiny. 

By using such an approach, you will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to any allegations which arise. Of course, as more information is developed during the course of an investigation, the matter can be moved up or down this scale. Such an approach is also important for a company’s outside investigative counsel to partner more with the entity as a way to help hold down costs. Outside counsel can work to build confidence that the company’s investigators could handle a large or wide-ranging investigation. This confidence would help outside counsel in any discussions they might have with the DOJ during the pendency of a FCPA investigation.

Such an approach also has the effective of keeping your investigative costs below the ridiculous level. This is because beyond the tactical need to initially scope any FCPA allegation which may arise through a company’s internal reporting mechanism, it allows you to move to the next step of developing a reasonable investigation plan. This can be particularly important if you self-disclose to the DOJ. You will need to go into the DOJ and present your investigation plan so an early discussion with the government on the scope of the investigation is critical. 

You should engage the DOJ to show not only the scope of your investigation but that it can be limited so that you do not face the dreaded ‘where else’ question. You should develop a logical plan with the nexus to the facts. But it is critical that you and your investigation plan must have credibility with the government that not only will your investigation will be robust but that facts you have determined in your initial triage are a reasonable interpretation. 

Appropriate triage of allegations has several different impacts for any matter which comes to the attention of the compliance function. Obviously, it will help you to initially determine the seriousness of the matter. From there you can allocate an appropriate level of resources. It will also aid in your discussion with the DOJ if you have to go that route. Finally, in the situation where facts come in, it gives you evidence a documented process was followed with which you can show the government that a claim was properly scope as required under the Evaluation. But the key is to be prepared, not only in terms of having your investigation and notification protocols in place before an allegation comes in but also doing the proper triage so that you have an initial understanding of what you may be facing. 

Three Key Takeaways

  1. Compliance can learn from M*A*S*H about the need for triage.
  2. Initial triage allows you to separate the wheat of serious allegations from the chaff of more inconsequential allegations.
  3. A robust triage process allows for greater credibility with government regulators.
0 Comments
Adding comments is not available at this time.