On March 6, 2019, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's
(CFTC or Commission) Division of Enforcement (Division) published an advisory on self-reporting and
cooperation for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) that
involve foreign corrupt practices. On the same date, James
McDonald, the CFTC's enforcement director, announced the new
advisory at the American Bar Association's National Institute
on White Collar Crime conference. In issuing the advisory, the
Division signaled for the first time its intention to investigate
and charge CEA and CFTC rule violations related to foreign corrupt
practices.
The advisory applies to companies and individuals who are not
registered or required to be registered with the CFTC, who
"timely and voluntarily" disclose to the Division CEA
violations "involving" foreign corrupt practices and
follow up the disclosure with full cooperation and appropriate
remediation. If a firm or individual meets these criteria, the
Division