Shruti Shah: Every big corruption story features anonymous companies (FCPA Blog)
November 16, 2017How much do “ordinary folk” benefit from secret offshore structures when the main beneficiaries are a wealthy minority, often expats? The ability to conceal illicitly obtained funds fuels corruption, breeds instability and diverts resources from those who should benefit. Read more
C4I Urges Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Following Paradise Papers Leak
November 6, 2017Coalition for Integrity calls for collection of beneficial ownership information by all jurisdictions following the massive Paradise Papers leak. Read more
C4I on the Paradise Papers and Shell Companies
November 6, 2017Shruti Shah speaks with the BBC about the Paradise Papers and shell companies. Watch the interview
Shruti Shah: Paradise Papers show need to close beneficial owner loopholes (FCPA Blog)
November 6, 2017While shell companies have legitimate uses, their opacity makes them a favorite tool for tax evaders, money launderers, corrupt public officials and other criminals. The leaks also shine a light on the role of offshore tax havens. Read more
When Does a Friend’s Gift Become a Bribe? (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
October 31, 2017U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is the latest high-profile politician to claim that the extravagant gifts he accepted over a period of several years were nothing more than presents from a good friend. When are gifts from friends considered bribes? The jury’s job is made more complicated by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to narrow the definition of “official actions” in corruption cases. Read more
C4I Board Urges Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates to Come Clean
October 1, 2017Coalition board members Alan Larson and Michael Hershman urge Virginia gubernatorial candidates Ralph Northam and Ed Gillespie to lead by example and disclose their campaign and personal finances. Read more
ISO 37001: Coalition for Integrity’s recommendations for companies considering certification
August 21, 2017In general, any independent review exercise, whether it leads to a certification or not, can help companies take a critical look at their program, detect potential gaps, and ultimately help strengthen their compliance program. However, business is not static and a certification is not an assurance that the program will continue operating effectively even as the corporate environment changes. Read more
Did a rich Miamian help rig the Olympic site selection? Investigators want to know (Miami Herald)
August 17, 2017Shruti Shah of the anti-corruption nonprofit Transparency International USA, said being connected to several businesses is legal, but makes it difficult to get a comprehensive look at companies. “The problem is you can open companies without having to disclose who really beneficially owns these companies,” she said. Read more
Shruti Shah: Six bills in Congress (so far) target anonymous companies (FCPA Blog)
August 9, 2017The United States has been subject to increased criticism for its lax approach to anonymous companies, particularly in the aftermath of the Panama Papers. However, there are recent and positive signs that the U.S. is beginning to address the potential threat that anonymous companies pose to our security and economy. Read more
A new corruption probe linked to Trump is a scathing indictment of the US real-estate industry (Quartz)
July 7, 2017The Treasury says 30 percent of buyers involved in deals since Geographic Targeting Orders were established last year have been deemed suspicious in previous reports. By the time their names are revealed, such buyers have already parked their money, says Shruti Shah, vice president of the Coalition for Integrity, a transparency NGO. “The transaction is already done,” she says. Instead, she argues that real-estate brokers should have to do their due diligence before the purchase is made. “The sad part is this can be done without legislation; it can be done through rule-making by the Treasury,” she says. Read more