Cross-fertilization of integrity principles
By Francesco Clementucci* Published on Tuesday November 5, 2019 Integrity principles do circulate and fertilize other actors and sectors. This inter-models fertilization takes place through processes that are entirely domestic to the Italian legal system. The anti-corruption measures established under the “Severino Law” are clearly inspired by the compliance programmes system set under Legislative Decree n. 231/2001. This instance of “horizontal fertilization” within the Italian legal system is further exemplified by observing how the programme strategy first originated in the...
Read MoreCorruption in Latin America: The Odebrecht scandal in Brazil
By David SimpsonPublished on Tuesday October 22, 2019 It has been a few years now since the infamous Operation Car Wash scandal broke in Brazil. Despite this, it continues to entangle business leaders, politicians and other stakeholders in a swampy and fetid mess up until present day. In this video we re-examine one of the biggest bribery and corruption scandals in Latin American history – and the involvement of the engineering firm Odebrecht (which admitted in 2016 to paying over $800 million in bribes and was forced to pay an eye watering fine of $3.5 billion as part of a settlement...
Read MoreThe Global Corruption Index – A new instrument to apprehend the un-apprehensible
By Jean-Pierre Méan Published on Tuesday October 15, 2019 Corruption is a (poisonous) flower that prospers in the dark. Both the act of corruption (in short the granting of an undue advantage in exchange for an improper advantage, the (in)famous quid pro quo) and the fruits of this act are hidden or disguised in order to appear legitimate. This makes it quite difficult to measure corruption even though it is possible to get a general idea of the level of corruption from individual instances where the hydra of corruption has risen its head to the surface of conscious perceptions....
Read MoreWhistleblowing in the age of the great divide
By Jean-Pierre Méan Published on Thursday October 3, 2019 When divisions run deeper and deeper in a society, simple principles tend to be obscured by raging passions. This applies to all realms of life, including, as we can observe today, to whistleblowing. When the going gets tough, the toughs get going and the toughs are, more often than not, individuals who only have in common that they have no field experience of whistleblowing. It is therefore necessary to revisit, in troubled times, two principles that must necessarily dominate any whistleblowing scheme if it is to be...
Read MoreBest practices on training executives on anti-corruption laws
By Marc Tassé Published on Tuesday September 24, 2019 Good strategists manage uncertainty by playing the probabilities, but too many executives use wishful thinking when it comes to anti-corruption compliance. Playing the probabilities means understanding the odds of success. Just 1 in 12 companies manages to mitigate reputational risk exposure resulting from non-compliance and therefore this result in a high level of reputational risk exposure. Non-compliance seriously increases risk and liability; depreciates M&A and joint venture value; potentially damages the brand;...
Read MoreEstablishing a Corporate Compliance Program is no longer “Nice to Have”, but rather a “Must Have”
By Marc Tassé Published on Tuesday September 10, 2019 Over the last few years we can observe a strong increase of international collaboration in enforcement by various authorities. Not only does this help bring international corruption cases to conclusion more quickly but it also gives a clear message to potential perpetrators: chances of getting caught are increasing. With all the public discussion around corruption scandals and the massive impact that sanctions such as debarments, monitorships, and huge penalties in connection with settlements with global enforcement authorities are...
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