The DOJ charged two individuals with (i) conspiracy to commit wire fraud and (ii) conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an alleged million-dollar scheme to defraud purchasers of non-fungible tokens.
President Joseph R. Biden signed an "Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets," which outlined a "first ever, whole-of-government approach" to address the risks and potential benefits of digital assets.
The DOJ charged a dual U.S. and Russian national for evading requirements under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and for other illegal conduct while serving as an agent for the Russian government.
In a speech before the ABA Institute on White Collar Crime, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted DOJ's "first priority in corporate criminal cases," the prosecution of individuals who profit from corporate malfeasance.
President Biden signed an Executive Order authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on foreign persons engaged in drug trafficking.
The FTC will expand its Criminal Referral Program as part of a continued effort to combat corporate crimes, including consumer protection misconduct and antitrust violations.
In an updated advisory, OFAC underscored the sanctions risks arising from ransomware payments made in response to "malicious cyber-enabled activities."
The SEC charged an online crypto lending platform, its founder, and its leading promoter and his company with carrying out a $2 billion fraudulent, unregistered securities offering. In a related action, the leading promoter pled guilty to DOJ charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and criminal forfeiture for his involvement in the fraudulent offering.
