FTC Announces Expansion Of Criminal Referral Program

President Biden has indicated that antitrust enforcement is a key priority for his administration and has encouraged government agencies including FTC and DOJ to cooperate on enforcement. Consistent with the Biden Administration's directives, FTC recently announced an expansion of its criminal referral program. In announcing the November 18 policy statement, FTC Chair Lina Khan explained: "At a time when major corporate lawbreakers can treat civil fines as a cost of doing business, government authorities must ensure that criminal conduct is followed by criminal punishment. Today the FTC is redoubling its commitment and improving its processes to expeditiously refer criminal behavior to criminal authorities, promoting accountability and deterrence."