Federal Regulatory Compliance
Patriot Act Compliance
Is your business Patriot Act Compliant?
The Patriot Act increased the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone and E-mail communications and medical, financial, and other records; eased restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States; expanded the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign individuals and entities; and enhanced the discretion of law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants suspected of terrorism.
Blackwell knows and understands the Patriot Act and can help your organization identify the key areas of concern specific to your group. Blackwell has helped government organizations, law firms, private investment groups and international corporations with Patriot Act Compliance and Risk Mitigation.
Contact us to ask how we can help you stay in compliance with the Patriot Act.
Bank Secrecy Act Compliance
Is your business Bank Secrecy Act Compliant?
The Bank Secrecy Act authorizes the Treasury Department to require financial institutions to maintain records of personal financial transactions that "have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax and regulatory investigations and proceedings." It also authorizes the Treasury Department to require any financial institution to report any "suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation." These reports, called "Suspicious Activity Reports" are filed with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN").
This is done secretly, without the consent or knowledge of bank customers, any time a financial institution decides that a transaction is "suspicious." The reports are made available electronically to every U.S. Attorney's Office and to 59 law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and Customs Service. A law enforcement agency does not have to be suspicious of an actual crime before it accesses a report, and no court order, warrant, subpoena, or even written request is needed. Law enforcement agencies can, and allegedly do, download the entire harvest of new information from FinCEN whenever they want it.
Blackwell maintains expertise in Bank Secrecy Law and Compliance and has written bank procedures and compliance policy for a number of financial institutions. Blackwell works both internally with your team and externally with investigators to ensure the lowest possible risk factors.
Contact us to ask how we can help you stay in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act.
Safe Port Act Compliance
Is your business SAFE Port Act compliant?
The Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (or SAFE Port Act, Pub.L. 109-347) is an Act of Congress in the United States that covers security of ports and online gambling.
Title VIII of the Act is also known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This title (found at 31 U.S.C. § 5361-5367) prohibits the transfer of funds from a financial institution to an Internet gambling site, with the notable exceptions of "fantasy" sports, online lotteries, and horse/harness racing.
The SAFE Port Act implemented a number of programs to improve security of U.S. ports. In addition, it created a Domestic Nuclear Detection Office within the Department of Homeland Security and appropriated funds toward the Integrated Deepwater Program, a long-term Coast Guard modernization program.
Blackwell understands the Safe Ports Act and can interpret what this Act means to your organization. Blackwell can implement compliance, investigate violations, and mitigate risk associated with any violations of the Safe Ports Act.
Contact us to ask how we can help you stay in compliance with the Safe Ports Act.