DOJ’s New Fraud Division Issues Corporate Enforcement Directive

On October 1, 2026, Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (the “Fraud Division”), issued Directive 26-12: Corporate Enforcement in the Fight Against Fraud (the “Directive”), which sets out the Division’s corporate enforcement principles, investigation priorities and key factors to be considered in charging and resolution decisions. The Directive also marks a significant step in defining the Division’s internal structure, including the role and responsibilities of its Corporate Enforcement Section.

President Donald J. Trump announced creation of the Fraud Division earlier this year, assigning it a broad mandate to “enforce the Federal criminal and civil laws against fraud targeting Federal government programs, federally funded benefits, businesses, nonprofits and private citizens nationwide.” The Directive explains how the Division will fulfill this mandate by holding corporate offenders accountable. Key