July 25, 2019
The AACI

The ‘‘Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy Act’’ or the ‘‘CROOK Act’’ was introduced last week by Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

Recognizing the significant damages of corruption, kleptocracy, and illicit finance committed by foreign authoritarian leaders and other foreign persons, the bill is an unprecedented anti-corruption piece of legislation. The bill defines public corruption as ” the unlawful exercise of entrusted public power for private gain, including by bribery, nepotism, fraud, or embezzlement.”

The bill calls for establishing a fund called ‘‘Anti-Corruption Action Fund’’ “to aid foreign states to prevent and fight public corruption and develop rule of law-based governance structures, including accountable investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial bodies, and supplement existing foreign assistance and diplomacy with respect to such efforts. to support foriegn government.” [note] Read more on Page 8 of the bill on https://www.csce.gov/sites/helsinkicommission.house.gov/files/documents/CROOK%20Act%20FINAL.pdf [/note]

In our opinion, this bill, should it become legislation, will strengthen the US fight against global corruption and deter foreign dictators and other foreign public officials from committing corrupt acts. Unfortunately, it falls short on the statute of limitations of corruption. In our opinion, there should not be a statute of limitations for corruption, kleptocracy, and illicit finance committed by foreign dictators and other foreign public officials.

The effective and successful fight against corruption, money laundering, and financing terrorism shall always be measurable, transparent, and accountable. The rule of law, good governance, internal control, and the real independence of the judiciary are fundamental pillars in fighting corruption.

You may read the bill when you click here. You may also read the press release of this bill when you click here.