Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

New DOJ Self-Disclosure Pilot Program Increases Risk for Startups

By Jonathan Fahey, Jonathan P. Lienhard and Oliver Roberts
July 01, 2024

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created new incentives for employee, or anyone, to report criminal misconduct allegedly committed by companies and their agents. Given their often laxer internal reporting structures and higher employee turnover rates, startup companies should pay particularly close attention to this new DOJ development to best mitigate legal risks.

On April 15, 2024, the DOJ's Criminal Division announced a new program that awards non-prosecution agreements (NPAs) to individuals who "voluntarily self-disclose[] original information about criminal misconduct." This new program, the Pilot Program on Voluntary Self-Disclosures for Individuals, establishes a unique incentive structure that encourages the reporting of corporate misconduct and promotes corporate compliance.

While no startup ever thinks that they will be the focus of DOJ attention, this new DOJ program increases legal risks for all startups. All it takes is one disgruntled cofounder, investor, engineer, salesperson, or almost anyone, to report alleged criminal misconduct to the DOJ, potentially causing catastrophic harm to the company. And with DOJ dangling the potential reward of an NPA in front of them, that disgruntled individual now has a significant incentive to report.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?

Role and Responsibilities of Practice Group Leaders Image

Ideally, the objective of defining the role and responsibilities of Practice Group Leaders should be to establish just enough structure and accountability within their respective practice group to maximize the economic potential of the firm, while institutionalizing the principles of leadership and teamwork.