https://thisweekinfcpaaudio.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/episode-48.mp3
A busy FCPA week: investigations starting, investigations ending, CEOs asked to come in for interviews, Stroz Friedberg picks up another one, and a rant about CDOs, the financial crisis, and dumb money.
02:47: Investigation of Sensata closes, no charges brought; raises the question of “what’s a declination, exactly?” And how you need M&A diligence.
14:00: WW Grainger publicly announces that they don’t know how to do an internal investigation. That is, they announced that their investigation didn’t find anything. What should you do with gift cards? And why a compliance culture is good for the business.
22:31: Halliburton opens an investigation
26:12: Olympus open an investigation. Into reimbursements to doctors in Brazil. Really? You’re gonna disclose that?
28:04: The importance of integrating companies you buy
33:05: Total SA. Howard goes on a rant, and evidently isn’t a fan of anything French.
40:15: Still on Total SA, but talking about how the investigation is REALLY old, and as someone told me, cases—unlike wine—don’t get better with age. Plus, the blocking statue; plus, the whistleblower laws.
43:03: Avon’s CEO gets called in, and Avon has spent a ton of money. Seriously, if you weighed it, it would weigh a ton.
49:25: Bistrong gets 18 months. Howard feels conflicted.
54:21: Stroz Friedberg shoots…they score! Again. First Scott Peeler, now David Glockner.
56:47: SEC loses Stoker trial. Howard tries to explain what a CDO is (and fails miserably).