Are You a Foreign Agent? [More with McGlinchey, Ep. 21
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Linda Sun, a former high-ranking official in New York State’s government, was arrested in Brooklyn and charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for allegedly acting as...more
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting companies with fiscal years ending December 31 that engage in the commercial development of oil, natural gas or minerals are required to file a Form SD with the SEC by...more
As previously discussed in our Client Alert issued on December 18, 2020 (available here), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) adopted its final rule (the “Final Rule,” available here) requiring...more
Section 317 of the Communications Act requires broadcast licensees to inform their audiences of when programming is being aired in exchange for payment or compensation to the station....more
On August 15, 2024, portions of the Federal Communications Commission’s recent amendments to its broadcast sponsorship identification requirements for leased programming provided by foreign governmental entities (FSID Rules)...more
On July 10, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to present a briefing on DOJ’s strategy to combat Beijing’s...more
Issues/Programs Lists; Online Public File Reminder; Third-Party Fundraising by Noncommercial Broadcasters; Political Requests for Broadcast Time; Class A TV Eligibility; Foreign Government Program Certifications - By July...more
On June 10, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released a Second Report and Order (Second R&O) that amends the Commission’s foreign sponsorship identification rules (FSID Rules). As explained in...more
On May 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published final regulations (Final Regulations) regarding clean vehicle tax credits under Internal Revenue Code sections 25E...more
Due to increased travel to France for the eightieth anniversary of D-Day and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the U.S. Department of State expects significant delays in visa processing in France in 2024. Individuals seeking to...more
Earlier this year, the OECD observed there has been a significant increase in global wealth inequality over the last two decades. It also acknowledged that “taxation is a key instrument . . . that governments have at their...more
On April 24, 2024, the Treasury Department (“Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final regulations (“Final Regulations”) under Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, addressing...more
The Canadian government recently issued two policy statements (IDM Statements) affirming that it will enhance its scrutiny under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) of foreign investments in the Canadian Interactive Digital Media...more
Much has been said about the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (“FEPA”) that President Biden signed into the law in December 2023, with particular attention given to the corrupt foreign officials who seek bribes from...more
The breadth of the recently enacted FEPA presents pitfalls for U.S. companies dealing with foreign governments and state-owned entities requiring significant caution and effective compliance controls....more
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 brought about modifications to the clean vehicle tax credit available under Section 30D of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” and such credit, the “Clean Vehicle...more
Aggressive enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) continued last year, and that trend shows no signs of receding in 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2023 filed its first affirmative civil...more
With recent high-profile prosecutions continuing to draw attention to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and related political laws, and a number of notable announcements by Department of Justice (DOJ) officials at a...more
Indonesia, known for its vibrant democracy, is set to embark on a defining moment that will determine the course of its governance. This electoral event carries immense significance, as it will determine the leadership that...more
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) started 2024 off with a major Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) enforcement announcement. Just last week, Barry Bennett and Douglas Watts, two longtime political consultants with deep...more
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently provided fresh insights into upcoming regulatory changes to key Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) exemptions and discussed new areas of concern. These insights were shared at...more
The United Kingdom has long been a target destination for activist investors. It is the venue for nearly half of all of recent activist campaigns in Europe. In previous articles, we have discussed how informed boards should...more
This past July, Florida became the latest state to adopt legislation with the goal of restricting foreign governments and individuals from real property ownership. Florida’s controversial new bill, SB 264, Interests of...more
On October 3, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) FARA Unit published a number of new advisory opinions (AOs) offering guidance and further insight on the Department’s interpretation of certain FARA registration triggers and...more
You can always learn a lot from reviewing the underlying conduct to an FCPA enforcement action. Chief compliance officers can identify specific risk factors, mitigation steps and root causes for bribery schemes. ...more