United States: Money Laundering

The Scoular Company's recent FCPA enforcement action reveals how agricultural shipments crossing the U.S.-Mexico border became entangled in a bribery scheme involving Mexican officials and cartel associates. The case demonstrates DOJ's heightened focus on corruption that facilitates transnational criminal organizations, even when companies lack direct knowledge of cartel connections. What compliance measures should businesses implement to mitigate FCPA risks when operating with customs brokers and intermedi

The US has renewed its economic pressure campaign against Iran with multiple rounds of sanctions targeting weapons procurement networks, oil shipping operations, and financial facilitators, while simultaneously resuming military strikes and reinstating a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. These actions follow the breakdown of a June memorandum of understanding and represent a parallel effort to compel Iranian concessions on nuclear and maritime issues, though the likelihood of success remains uncertain given

The Trump administration has resumed military strikes on Iran and expanded sanctions targeting oil-shipping networks and weapons procurement operations, while Congress advances sweeping Russia sanctions legislation that could impose unprecedented tariffs on major energy buyers. Meanwhile, the UK and EU coordinate new designations against Russian cyber operations and destabilizing activities, as global sanctions regimes expand to address conflicts in Sudan, Cuba, and beyond.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has indicted six individuals and two companies in a $76 million fraud case involving Silver Birch, marking a significant shift in white-collar crime enforcement as federal authorities appear to be stepping back from such prosecutions. This case raises critical questions about whether state prosecutors will fill the enforcement gap left by the Department of Justice's changing priorities under the current administration.

Federal banking agencies and FinCEN have issued coordinated proposals to modernize anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism compliance frameworks across financial services. This regulatory initiative represents a fundamental shift from traditional "check-the-box" compliance toward a risk-based, effectiveness-driven model that could reshape how institutions approach AML/CFT obligations. The proposals introduce new requirements for institutions to not only establish compliance programs

On July 7, 2026, the Federal Reserve Board requested comment on a proposed rule that would amend the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) program requirements for Board-supervised...

In May, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued Alert FIN-2026-Alert002, warning financial institutions about the use of front companies, financial facilitators...

On May 19, 2026, President Trump signed two executive orders: Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System (the “AML Compliance EO”); and Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks...

On June 4, 2026, Crowell Partners Caroline Brown and Anand Sithian hosted the ACSS New York Chapter at the New York office for an in-person panel discussion titled...