Corporate Monitors in Deferred Prosecution and Non-Prosecution Agreements
In March 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") issued guidelines for the selection, scope of duties, and duration of corporate monitors in cases of deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements. Although such agreements have become increasingly common, the process pursuant to which monitors are selected has recently drawn scrutiny in the wake of a no-bid, multi-million dollar monitoring contract awarded to the consulting firm of former Attorney General John Ashcroft, which was selected for the assignment by a former colleague of Mr. Ashcroft who worked under him when he headed the DOJ. The ensuing controversy has prompted the DOJ to announce nine principles for the appointment and use of corporate monitors. Foremost among these is sensitivity to conflicts of interest, nomination of the monitor by an ad hoc committee in the office negotiating the agreement, and approval by the Deputy Attorney General. Other principles stress the monitor's primary responsibility to "address and reduce the risk of recurrence of the corporation's misconduct" through involvement with crafting the corporation's internal controls and compliance programs and familiarity with the "full scope of the corporation's misconduct." All the while, the monitor should remain in "open dialogue" with the Government and the corporation and keep the former apprised of the latter's amenability to the monitor's recommendations. Depending on the particular circumstances of a case, a monitor may be required to report undisclosed or new misconduct to the Government and should be prepared to remain in place if, "at the discretion of the Government," the corporation has not complied with the agreement to the Government's satisfaction.
Click here for the DOJ's memorandum on the selection and use of monitors in deferred prosecution agreements and non-prosecution agreements.
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