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When Is Discretion the Better Part of Valor?

By Laurence A. Urgenson, Bradley J. Bondi, and Christopher C. Chiou
December 27, 2006

Counsel for companies faced with criminal violations of securities laws must maneuver carefully through a gamut of factors to determine whether to voluntarily disclose criminal conduct. A corporation may face administrative and criminal sanctions for non-cooperation from both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the SEC. But the DOJ's 'Thompson Memorandum' also bestows attractive benefits for cooperation, measured in part by the corporation's willingness 'to disclose the complete results of its internal investigation.' The prosecution may grant a corporation 'immunity or amnesty or pretrial diversion' or 'a non-prosecution agreement in exchange for cooperation.'

Cooperation

Besides the Thompson Memorandum, public companies should be familiar with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) statements on cooperation. Earlier this year, the SEC announced that when determining whether to impose civil penalties against a corporation, the agency would consider a list of 'principal considerations' and 'additional factors.' On the factor 'Extent of cooperation with Commission and other law enforcement,' the SEC stated: 'The degree to which a corporation has self-reported an offense, or otherwise cooperated with the investigation and remediation of the offense, is a factor that the Commission will consider in determining the propriety of a corporate penalty.' SEC Statement Concerning Financial Penalties (Jan. 4, 2006), www.sec.gov/news/press/2006-4.htm.

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