Below is a link to an article from The FCPA Blog (The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Blog). The article discusses a hypothetical (or perhaps actual) scenario that can happen to any corporate representative on any day. The following is a copy and paste from the beginning of the article (to get you interested in reading the remainder):
“What is it about agents, fixers, and intermediaries that makes them so attractive while potentially toxic to multinationals?
If you haven’t spent extended time with them, it’s hard to understand.
So here’s what I shared last week at the FCPA Blog NYC Conference.
During our session called The Other Side of the Sting, Getting Stung, Dick Cassin asked, “What’s it like working with intermediaries, on a personal level?”
That’s not something we often hear about. In most of my readings, agents are abstract concepts, part of an “issue” about potential ethical and legal hazards. But there’s often something much deeper going on.
Most top agents are extremely kind, courteous and gracious people. Let me add overly polite. When their clients come to see them at far off locales, either for the first time or over the course of an engagement, the agents are wonderful hosts. From arrival at an airport until departure, the client is treated as an honored guest, often even invited for a meal or two at the agent’s home.”
And here is the link to the entire article: CLICK HERE
Read the remainder of the short article. You can envision this scenario happening all the time, or not at all. The point is that there always is a risk. The agent might simply be being nice, and hospitable, or in accord with country or community customs. So, yes, obviously you all know that you need/must have a robust compliance and disciplinary program that is outwardly supported by executive and mid-management, and the board members, on down to all employees and throughout the entire organization, and the organizations suppliers and affiliates, but also keep in mind that some of these situations, if they turn wrongful, might also only be prevented or stopped and remedied by an engrained corporate culture of integrity and honesty.
Best to you, Dave Tate, Esq., San Francisco and California
Click on the following for Tate’s Excellent Audit Committee Guide, Tate’s Excellent Audit Committee Guide 10202016 with Appendix A
The Business Judgment Rule (animation, for fun, but it’s correct):
A blog discussing the law, D&O, governance, liability and other aspects of public and private businesses, not for profit organizations, and governmental entities – see additional detail below - note: sometimes I post information just to pass it along on these topics (not an endorsement), and sometimes I provide only brief comments or no comments, not a more full discussion. 