New Compliance Counsel Will Assess Effectiveness of Corporate Compliance Programs -

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed it is hiring a compliance counsel to assist DOJ prosecutors in assessing the effectiveness of companies’ corporate compliance programs. According to news accounts of an interview of Andrew Weissman, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section Chief, a yet-to-be-named former prosecutor was offered the position. Weissman noted that the candidate comes from the private sector, has worked in the health care, financial, and technology industries, and has prior experience building compliance programs. The announcement of this new hire underscores the fact that DOJ is placing significant and increased importance on the effectiveness of corporate compliance programs when assessing whether or not to charge corporations for failing to detect or prevent criminal wrongdoing by their employees. Also noteworthy is Weissman’s announcement that the Fraud Section will be looking particularly closely at compliance programs in the health care area.