Growing U.S. Justice Department prosecutorial power and emerging

A new weapon giving the U.S. Department of Justice unprecedented power in prosecuting money laundering crimes will top the agenda for the world’s premier anti-money laundering (AML) conference, to be held in March in Hollywood, Florida.
Moneylaundering.com and Money Laundering Alert’s 13th Annual International Conference and Exhibition is expected to attract more than 1,600 specialists from 60 countries in what has become the world’s largest gathering of AML expertise and talent. The 3-day conference has grown nearly ten-fold in attendance since 1999, attracting attendees from the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe in addition to many from North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Record crackdown on banks in 2007 boosts demand
This year, U.S. federal prosecutors sought record-breaking penalties against American Express, Union Bank of California, and other top banks for money laundering violations. This trend, in addition to the implementation deadline of the 3rd EU Money Laundering Directive and the growing number of AML regulations in regions throughout the world, is driving AML professionals to seek the best compliance strategies from the conference roster of world-leading experts – to a degree unmatched in the industry's history.
Newly expanded program for 2008 – largest ever
With more than 35 workshops, panels, and general sessions, the 2008 conference program will be the most comprehensive ever offered. During the 3-day event (plus a pre-conference workshop day), experts will tackle from all angles the biggest challenges in fighting money laundering today: tracking criminals, staying within compliance budgets, surviving a regulatory exam, and more.
Program topics include:
       Emerging money laundering methods – and how to fight them – including e-money, virtual currencies, and pre-paid cards
       The growing threat of international trade finance – and related AML regulatory risks
       High-risk countries and their AML regulatory and legal requirements – including Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic
       The new European Union Money Laundering Directive – implementation challenges for governments AND financial institutions
       Hedge fund money laundering risks – and how to handle hedge fund customers
       IRS regulatory examinations of insurance companies – what’s the state of play?
       How to prepare for an IRS money laundering examination and audit – the expectations and requirements for insurance companies and MSBs
       “Enhanced due diligence” strategies – how to effectively handle high-risk customers, accounts, and products
Impact of U.S. DOJ’s growing prosecutorial power leads roster of intensive, interactive workshops
Digging into the core issues for AML professionals at all levels, the pre-conference workshops on Sunday, March 16, provide an opportunity for attendees to “grill the experts.”
The opening workshop features an in-depth examination of the critical impact of the growing prosecutorial power of the U.S. Department of Justice. After several years of little activity in the AML field, the DOJ has emerged as a major player – and is pursuing $100 million+ penalties against banks. Institutions will learn how to damage-control a DOJ action and what to expect from government cases.
Other workshop topics include: “inside-out” training on the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and its amendments under the USA PATRIOT Act, the extraterritorial reach of U.S. enforcement of AML laws, and how “cover payments” expose banks to the risk of unwillingly facilitating financial crime.
High-profile speakers from top ranks of AML community
Regulators, prosecutors, and law enforcement agents will join industry thought leaders from banking, securities firms, and insurance companies to share their decades of experience in the money laundering trenches – including some who were on the wrong side of the law.
Confirmed speakers include:
       Elise J. Bean – Staff director and chief counsel, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Washington, D.C.
       John J. Byrne, CAMS – EVP and regulatory relations, global compliance, and operational risk executive at Bank of America; Chair of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS)
       Martin Feuer, CAMS – Chief compliance officer, North American business divisions of Zurich Financial Services, New York
       Lester Joseph – Principal deputy chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the U.S. Department of Justice
       Natasha Pankova Taft, CAMS – Director of compliance for global foreign exchange services, American Express Co., New York
       James R. Richards, CAMS – EVP, Bank Secrecy Act Officer, Wells Fargo Bank
       Richard A. Small – Global anti-money laundering leader, GE Money
       Richard Weber – Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, U.S. Department of Justice
Exhibition hall featuring the latest AML tools and services on the market
A large exhibition hall at the conference will feature the largest display of money laundering control products and services in the world. Attendees can meet officials from 70 companies and firms that offer software, products, and professional services and attend on-site demonstrations of the latest technology – from AML and KYC systems to watch-list and information management. For exhibitor and sponsorship information, please contact Andrea Winter at [email protected] or phone 305-373-0020 ext. 3030 or fax: 305-373-5229.
Resort location
The conference will be held at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, a world-class hotel and convention venue located 10 miles north of Miami, Florida. For more information, go to moneylaunderingconference.com.
Press attendance
Accredited members of the press may obtain press credentials to attend the 13th Annual International Money Laundering Conference & Exhibition by contacting Paula Niño at [email protected] or by calling 305-530-0500.
Translation available
The conference provides free simultaneous English-to-Spanish translation for all sessions.
About Money Laundering Alert and moneylaundering.com
Miami-based Alert Global Media, Inc., is the publisher of Money Laundering Alert and moneylaundering.com, the world's foremost sources of money laundering news, analysis and guidance. In addition to the annual international conference in South Florida, Alert Global Media also offers an array of anti-money laundering information and training products, including web-based training and one-day seminars. For more information, visit www.moneylaundering.com.