Overview - FCPA & Global Anti-Corruption Houston

The FCPA regulatory and enforcement dynamic post-pause is more selective and focused on serious misconduct tied to U.S. competitiveness, national security, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations. However, reduced U.S. case volume does not mean reduced overall risk: the same conduct may trigger parallel bribery, fraud, money-laundering, sanctions, procurement, accounting, and debarment consequences amid a lower-volume but higher-consequence U.S. FCPA enforcement approach.

ACI’s Houston Forum on FCPA and Global Anti-Corruption, January 27–28 at The Chifley Houston, is focused on such evolving anti-corruption dynamics across what has become a major U.S. risk center for U.S./cross-border anti-corruption. Gather with peers from energy, oilfield-services, engineering, logistics, aviation, technology, healthcare, infrastructure and more corporate sectors to benchmark on building stronger global anti-corruption programs and associated self-disclosure calculus, as well as network and hear key updates from senior enforcement officials.

Government Speakers

Billy Shaw

Supervisory Special Agent, Houston Field Office

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Aaron Reitz

United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas

U.S. Department of Justice

Conference Co-Chair

Leigh Anne Leinen

Head of Ethics & Compliance International | Ethics and Compliance

Woodside Energy

Featured Speakers

Frederick Ratliff

Managing Counsel, Anticorruption and DDP

Shell

Inacio Mendes

Corporate Compliance Officer, Latin America

Vitol

Sergio Leal

Head of Compliance & Regulatory Programs

Fervo Energy

Emily Buchanan

Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

Noble Corp.

View All Speakers

Why Texas Is a Distinctive Risk Market

Energy and state-owned enterprises

Houston-based businesses frequently deal with national oil companies. Their employees may qualify as “foreign officials” under the FCPA, making procurement, trading, licensing, and contract-administration interactions particularly sensitive.

Mexico and border exposure

Texas companies rely heavily on customs brokers, freight forwarders, distributors, and local consultants. Payments intended to accelerate inspections, influence tenders, resolve audits, or secure permits can create anti-bribery, money-laundering, sanctions, and trade-control exposure.

Third parties and opaque payments

Recent matters repeatedly feature intermediaries, shell companies, vaguely documented consulting arrangements, excessive commissions, luxury goods, and payments lacking evidence of legitimate services.

Issuer controls

Texas-headquartered public companies face SEC risk even where prosecutors cannot prove a completed bribe. Misclassified expenses, weak subsidiary oversight, and undocumented third-party work can support books-and-records or internal-controls charges.

Conference Features

Unsurpassed Networking

Meet the true trailblazers and influencers! The program is uniquely designed to maximize networking through small and larger group opportunities.

Invaluable, “Out of the Box” Discussions

Unique, Anti-corruption and compliance specific sessions, interviews and strategies enabling you to stay updated on regulatory issues and compliance standards.

Fresh, Refined Content

No repetitive or monotonous panels that you have heard before. Benefit from reengineered, cutting-edge discussions that are especially relevant and timely.