Infographics

US Attorney’s Office: Corporate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy

2023
Supreme Court Building Washington DC

#ForensicPerspectives

The US Attorney’s Office (USAO) Corporate Voluntary Self-Disclosure (VSD) Policy1 provides formal guidelines by which the government will determine what qualifies as a corporate voluntary self-disclosure and what incentives may be granted, on a case-by-case basis.

What are the key takeaways for companies?
At a minimum, a qualifying disclosure must be:

Voluntary

  • A disclosure will NOT be considered voluntary by the DOJ (Department of Justice) if it was required by regulation or contract or as part of a prior resolution (e.g., as part of a deferred prosecution agreement)2.

Timely

  • A disclosure must be made to the DOJ prior to an imminent threat of public disclosure or government investigation.
  • Within a reasonable amount of time following discovery by the company, with the responsibility falling on the company to demonstrate timeliness.

Complete

  • Disclosures must include all relevant facts known at the time based on a preliminary investigation.
  • Companies must move to quickly preserve, collect, and produce relevant documents to the USAO.
  • Companies must provide ongoing updates to the USAO as new facts are learned in the investigation.

How can a company benefit?
When companies meet the specified guidelines, the government has represented that companies will receive significant benefits, including:

  • A potential waiver of all criminal penalties.
  • When criminal penalties are imposed, but a guilty plea is not required, penalties will be recommended at no more than 50% of the low end of the sentencing guidelines.
  • The USAO may not seek a guilty plea absent aggravating* factors.
  • The USAO may not require the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates at the time of resolution that it has implemented an effective compliance program.

*The government defines three aggravating factors as misconduct that: poses a serious “threat to national security, public health, or *the environment”;3 is pervasive; or involves the C-suite.

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