Executives Face Perils When Confessing to DOJ as Companies Gain

The Justice Department’s elevated incentives to entice corporations into disclosing internal wrongdoing is illuminating ambiguity when executives want to step forward.

Exposing their company’s potential offenses to law enforcement has long been risky for those with criminal exposure. Whether trying to get in front of an investigation or experiencing genuine remorse, their chances of avoiding prison vary by prosecutor, district, and judge.

The absence of a road map is more evident when contrasted with new Justice Department policies, some defense attorneys say. DOJ’s Criminal Division and US attorney offices announced guidelines this year to encourage self-disclosures by offering greater transparency ...