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Compliance Into the Weeds

Compliance into the Weeds: The WACKO Enforcement Action Involving BF Borgers

The award-winning, Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to more fully explore a subject.

Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds!

In this episode, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly look into an absolutely wacko SEC enforcement action involving BF Borgers and its founder and principal, Benjamin Borger’s.

The auditing sector was recently rocked by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) investigation into BF Borgers CPA, an auditing firm with over 1,600 problematic disclosures. The incident, which serves as a reminder of the critical role played by audit committees in ensuring appropriate audit procedures,.

Only a fraudster can admire the audacity of Benjamin F. Borgers in fabricating audit reports for hundreds of clients, which underscores the need for enhanced governance and regulatory measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

We discuss the impact on smaller public companies, focusing on their struggles to find competent and affordable audit firms. Matt raised the question of where the company’s audit committees were during all this fraudulent work. He also speculates on potential legal repercussions for Borgers and his firm. Both perspectives highlight the gravity of the situation, the need for improved oversight, and potential consequences of such actions.

Key Highlights:

  • Audit Quality Oversight in Regulatory Environment
  • Finding New Auditors After Losing Previous Firm
  • Limited Options for Small Company Auditors
  • Proactive Monitoring of Audit Firms by Committees

Resources:

Matt on Radical Compliance

 Tom 

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Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: May 6, 2024 – The ISS Says Vote No Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you compliance-related stories to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee and listen to the Daily Compliance News. All from the Compliance Podcast Network.

Each day, we consider four stories from the business world: compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest for the compliance professional.

In today’s edition of Daily Compliance News:

  • ISS advises voting against the Boeing CEO pay package. (FT)
  • A house member was charged with accepting bribes.  (WSJ)
  • Trump auditors are charged with fraud. (NYT)
  • Corruption in Gaza. (Bloomberg)

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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10 For 10

10 For 10: Top Compliance Stories For The Week Ending April 20, 2024

Welcome to 10 For 10, the podcast that brings you the week’s top 10 compliance stories in one podcast each week. Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings to you, the compliance professional, the compliance stories you need to be aware of to end your busy week. Sit back, and in 10 minutes, hear about the stories every compliance professional should be aware of from the prior week.

Every Saturday, 10 For 10 highlights the most important news, insights, and analysis for compliance professionals, all curated by the Voice of Compliance, Tom Fox. Get your weekly filling of compliance stories with 10 for 10, a podcast produced by the Compliance Podcast Network.

1. Menendez defense: My wife did it.  (ABC)

2. Rethinking how your company handles cyber-risk. (FT)

3. The story of the jailed crypto officer. (NYT)

4. Jontay Porter was banned for life by the NBA for gambling on games.  (ESPN)

5. More Boeing whistleblowers step forward. (WSJ)

6. Nigeria recovers $27 million in a corruption probe. (Barron’s)

7. The EU urged China to take on Chinese forced labor. (WSJ)

8. DOJ Whistleblower program rolled out. (WSJ)

9. Silence and omission are not securities fraud.  (Reuters)

10. Venezuela arrests more PdVSA execs. (Bloomberg)

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

You can check out the Daily Compliance News for four curated compliance and ethics related stories each day, here.

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Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: April 15, 2024 – The 1st Criminal Trial Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you compliance-related stories to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee and listen to the Daily Compliance News. All from the Compliance Podcast Network.

Each day, we consider four stories from the business world: compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest for the compliance professional.

In today’s edition of Daily Compliance News:

  • The US wants to beef up CFIUS. (WSJ)
  • Nigeria recovers $27MM in a corruption probe. (Barron’s)
  • Venezuela arrests more PdVSA execs. (Bloomberg)
  • Silence and omission are not securities fraud. (Reuters)

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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2 Gurus Talk Compliance

2 Gurus Talk Compliance: Episode 26 – The Compliance Week Wrap Up Edition

What happens when two top compliance commentators get together? They talk about compliance, of course. Join Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart in 2 Gurus Talk Compliance as they discuss the latest compliance issues in this week’s episode!

In this episode, Tom and Kristy take on a wide variety of compliance related topics.

The Compliance Week National Conference, a premier event in the field of compliance, offered a rich assortment of discussions and insights on various compliance topics, such as AI monitoring, risk assessment, and oversight of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Among the expert attendees were compliance professionals Tom and Kristy.

Tom highlighted the invaluable practical discussions led by practitioners, which had direct impact on compliance practices. He found the sessions on risk assessments and third-party risk management to be engaging and informative.

Similarly, Kristy found the conference sessions to be enlightening, notably a keynote on artificial intelligence and a workshop on leadership. She also valued the call for transparency in compliance roles, underscoring the conference’s ability to address recurring compliance challenges.

Both Fox and Grant-Hart’s perspectives were shaped by their extensive experiences and expertise in the field of compliance, highlighting the conference’s appeal to both veterans and newcomers alike.

Highlights Include:

1. Compliance Week Conference Roundup – Key thoughts, takeaways, and moments

2. Ericsson released from DPA.   (WSJ)

3. SEC says self-reporting is critical. (WSJ)

4. Corruption with JFK taxi dispatchers.   (NYPost)

5. No more late night messages from your boss—the Right to Disconnect. (WaPo)

6. Trafigura pleads guilty. (The Maritime Executive)

7. Inside the Russian Shadow Trade for Weapons Parts, Fueled by Crypto (WSJ) 

8. Sam Bankman – Fried is still gambling (The Verge) 

9. The Frustration of CCO Job Searches (Radical Compliance)

10. Florida man put car in cruise control, then partially stood up through sunroof while speeding, deputies say (FOX 35 Orlando)

Resources: 

Kristy Grant-Hart on LinkedIn

Spark Consulting

Tom

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10 For 10

10 For 10: Top Compliance Stories For The Week Ending April 6, 2024

Welcome to 10 For 10, the podcast which brings you the week’s Top 10 compliance stories in one podcast each week.

Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings to you, the compliance professional, the compliance stories you need to be aware of to end your busy week.

Sit back, and in 10 minutes, hear about the stories every compliance professional should be aware of from the prior week.

Every Saturday, 10 For 10 highlights the most important news, insights, and analysis for compliance professionals, all curated by the Voice of Compliance, Tom Fox.

Get your weekly filling of compliance stories with 10 for 10, a podcast produced by the Compliance Podcast Network.

  • Trafigura pleads guilty. (The Maritime Executive)
  • Ericsson released from DPA.  (WSJ)
  • Autonomy paid whistleblower for wrongful termination.  (Law360) sub-req’d
  • More 1MDB-Swiss bankers are on trial. (Bloomberg)
  • 20 convictions and $1.7bn in penalties.  (Financial Regulation News)
  • The South African Speaker resigns.  (Reuters)
  • The former head of the Spanish football federation was arrested on corruption charges. (ESPN)
  • The SEC says self-reporting is critical. (WSJ)
  • Corruption with JFK taxi dispatchers.  (NYPost)
  • No more late-night messages from your boss—the Right to Disconnect. (WaPo)

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

You can check out the Daily Compliance News for four curated compliance and ethics-related stories each day, here.

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Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: April 4, 2024 – The Self-Reporting is Key Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you compliance-related stories to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee and listen in to the Daily Compliance News. All from the Compliance Podcast Network.

Each day, we consider four stories from the business world: compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest for the compliance professional.

In today’s edition of Daily Compliance News:

  • The SEC says self-reporting is critical. (WSJ)
  • The South African Speaker resigns.  (Reuters)
  • A Boeing CEO reaches out to other CEOs over the scandal. (Bloomberg)
  • The former head of the Spanish football federation was arrested on corruption charges. (ESPN)

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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10 For 10

10 For 10: Top Compliance Stories For the Week Ending March 30, 2024

Welcome to 10 For 10, the podcast that brings you the week’s Top 10 compliance stories in one podcast each week. Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you the compliance professional and the compliance stories you need to know to end your busy week. Sit back, and in 10 minutes, hear about the stories every compliance professional should know from the prior week. Every Saturday, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, curates 10 For 10 to highlight the most significant news, insights, and analysis for compliance professionals. Get your weekly fix of compliance stories with 10 for 10, a podcast from the Compliance Podcast Network.

  • Shohei Ohtani denies any knowledge of his translator’s gambling. (WSJ)
  • Luxury apartments targeted by DOJ. (WSJ)
  • Crypto-Exchange KuCoin faced money-laundering charges.  (WSJ)
  • More Chinese companies are to be added to the banned list. (WSJ)
  • Corruption drives trafficking in SE Asia. (Al Jazeera)
  • South African Speaker of Parliament charged with corruption. (WaPo)
  • The former head of the China Football Association was jailed for life for corruption.  (ESPN)
  • EY promotes neurodiverse talent. (BBC)
  • More neurodiverse claims are made in the workplace. (FT)
  • An MoD report on UK corruption vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia was found in a public archive. (The Guardian)

Click here for more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance.

You can check out the Daily Compliance News, which features four curated compliance and ethics stories each day, here.

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2 Gurus Talk Compliance

2 Gurus Talk Compliance – Episode 25 – The Never Go Away Edition

What happens when two top compliance commentators get together? They talk about compliance, of course. Join Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart in 2 Gurus Talk Compliance as they discuss the latest compliance issues in this week’s episode! In this episode, Tom and Kristy tackle various compliance-related topics.

Tesla’s corporate governance is under the spotlight, focusing on the company’s board independence and potential conflicts of interest. Fox has pointed out Elon Musk’s profound control over Tesla, suggesting that the lack of board independence and oversight may necessitate regulatory scrutiny, especially from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). His perspective is rooted in his belief in the importance of corporate governance in protecting shareholder interests, and he raises questions about whether Musk’s leadership is aligned with the expectations of a public company CEO. Similarly, Kristy cites problems with board independence and potential conflicts of interest. She emphasizes the lack of governance within Tesla, particularly noting the court-nullified pay package granted to Musk, and suggests that the SEC may need to intervene even further. She, like Fox, implies that it may be time for Musk to step down and allow for better governance under the scrutiny of regulatory authorities.

Highlights Include

  1. Warren wants the SEC to look into Tesla Board independence. (WSJ)
  2. Goldman files a suit against Malaysia over 1MDB. (Bloomberg)
  3. Mike Lynch finally goes on trial. (FT)
  4. SEC settles first AI washing enforcement. (WSJ)
  5. Adani Green says there is no DOJ investigation notice. (Bloomberg)
  6. TikTok’s Fate Now Hinges on the Senate (WSJ)
  7. The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive—March 2024 Update (JDSUPRA)
  8. Survey: CCO Resources, Pressures Both Rising (Radical Compliance)
  9. Data sharing causing concerns for drivers (WGRZ)
  10. ‘Not my fault the truck don’t surf’: Florida man arrested after driving car into the ocean (WFLA)

Resources

Kristy Grant-Hart on LinkedIn

Spark Consulting

Tom

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10 For 10

10 For 10: Top Compliance Stories For The Week Ending March 23, 2024

Welcome to 10 For 10, the podcast which brings you the week’s Top 10 compliance stories in one podcast each week.

Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings to you, the compliance professional, the compliance stories you need to be aware of to end your busy week.

Sit back, and in 10 minutes, hear about the stories every compliance professional should be aware of from the prior week.

Every Saturday, 10 For 10 highlights the most important news, insights, and analysis for compliance professionals, all curated by the Voice of Compliance, Tom Fox.

Get your weekly filling of compliance stories with 10 for 10, a podcast produced by the Compliance Podcast Network.

  1. Warren wants the SEC to look into Tesla Board independence. (WSJ)
  2. The Vietnamese President resigns over corruption issues. (NPR)
  3. Goldman files a suit against Malaysia over 1MDB. (Bloomberg)
  4. Mike Lynch finally goes on trial. (FT)
  5. SEC settles first AI washing enforcement. (WSJ)
  6. Adani Green says there is no DOJ investigation notice.  (Bloomberg)
  7. Vitol Trading corruption agents were caught on videotape discussing their bribery and corruption. (Bloomberg)
  8. More CFTC fines for messaging app violations. (WSJ)
  9. $12 bank fraud in Vietnam. (FT)
  10. Money laundering of $6.3bn fraud in UK.  (AML Intelligence)

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

You can check out the Daily Compliance News for four curated compliance and ethics related stories each day, here.

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