The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) has proposed amendments to the United States Sentencing Guideline’s (USSG) definition of an “effective” compliance program. This definition is often used by federal prosecutors when deciding whether to indict a corporation or to only pursue individual executives for misconduct they are investigating. The better the compliance program, the more likely the Department of Justice will focus on individual wrongdoers rather than pursuing the corporation as a whole.
The proposed amendment will avoid the current inference that when an act is committed by “high-level” personnel of an organization, there will be no credit for the organization's compliance efforts. Adopting the threshold requirements gives organizations a very important tool in mitigating risk associated with allegations of inappropriate conduct by its managers or employees.
Unfettered Access to the Board of Directors
The greatest practical effect of the new standard, if adopted, is that a compliance program will no longer be deemed “effective” unless it grants compliance personnel unfettered access to the Board of Directors. It appears that the Commission wants compliance personnel to serve as a check on top management. To induce corporations to follow this model, the revision would permit a three-point reduction in the offense-level calculation if 1) the compliance personnel have direct access to the board or a committee of the board, 2) the program detected the illegal conduct before it was discovered by the government, and 3) the organization reported the wrongdoing promptly to the authorities.
Remedying the Harm
The proposed amendment also adds an application note that expands to the description of a reasonable response by an effective compliance program to include an effort to promptly remedy the harm caused to identifiable victims and the payment of restitution. This is in addition to the already controversial “prompt reporting rule,” which appears to require reporting of wrongdoing even before the corporation has a full understanding of the purported misconduct. The proposed change seems designed to impose restitution payments even before a corporation can determine if additional civil liability will be pursued
What This Means to You
The Commission’s proposed changes to the definition of an effective compliance program will affect any organization that is governed in any fashion by federal law. Corporations and executives can comment on the proposed changes before they are made, but the comments must be received before March 22, 2010. The Commission will also hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments.
Contact Info
Husch Blackwell Sanders can help your organization develop the type of robust compliance program that meets the expectations of the Commission and the federal law enforcement community. If you have any questions, please contact your Husch Blackwell Sanders attorney.
Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP regularly publishes updates on industry trends and new developments in the law for our clients and friends. Please contact us if you would like to receive updates and newsletters, or request a printed copy.
Husch Blackwell Sanders encourages you to reprint this material. Please include the statement, "Reprinted with permission from Husch Blackwell Sanders, copyright 2010, www.huschblackwell.com." at the end of any reprints. Please also email [email protected] to tell us of your reprint.
This information is intended only to provide general information in summary form on legal and business topics of the day. The contents hereof do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Specific legal advice should be sought in particular matters.