The Department of Justice still hasn’t implemented procedures for dealing with anonymous and confidential whistleblowers who report violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, despite being legally required to do so since 2021.
Since January 1, 2021 the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been required, as a matter of law, to accept anonymous and confidential whistleblower disclosures concerning violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, including illegal money laundering and the use of crypto currency exchanges to facilitate violations of law.
In December 2022, this requirement was by law extended to whistleblowers, worldwide, who wish to report violations of sanctions covering Russia, Hamas, ISIS, and other covered entities.
In contempt of its legal requirements the Justice Department has ignored this law, and has failed to adopt regulations permitting anonymous whistleblowing. Congress did its job, Justice has dropped the ball. Congress must demand that the Attorney General fully implement the United States Anti-corruption Strategy as a critical national security measure. Ask Congress to contact the Department of Justice to remind them of their obligations to fully implement the law. We know that whistleblowers can be the best asset to the fight against corruption when given the proper protections and incentives, but they — and by extension, our democracy — are vulnerable when these protections are eroded.
Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org.Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019. NWC’s mission is to support whistleblowers in their efforts to expose and help prosecute corruption and other wrongdoing around the world.
In 2022, Congress passed the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Whistleblower Improvement Act in December 2022. The law establishes a whistleblower award program for individuals who report money laundering and sanctions violations and is the most important anti-corruption law passed in decades.
Money laundering is intimately tied to corruption around the globe. Because the AML Whistleblower Program has a transnational reach, violations can occur anywhere and whistleblowers do not need to be U.S. citizens to qualify for awards, it is uniquely positioned to help U.S. authorities tackle corruption overseas, including the most pressing national security crises like the war between Hamas and Israel, the war between Russia and Ukraine, terrorist financing, and drug trafficking. It is vital that FinCEN implement its whistleblower program quickly and that its regulations fulfill the mandate in the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption.
However, despite the urgent nature of this issue, the U.S. Treasury Department and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) have yet to implement the AML Whistleblower program, nor regulations for the AML Whistleblower Improvement Act.
Contact your legislators and urge them to please DEMAND that FinCEN consider the following in order to maximize the law’s anti-corruption potential:
I. Ensure that the process for qualifying as a whistleblower aligns with U.S. anti-corruption priorities. a. Allow whistleblowers identified in case investigations to be eligible for rewards, rather than by mandating technical form requirements for whistleblower reward eligibility. b. Maintain the SEC’s “Three Conditions” for qualifying as a whistleblower, but expand the definition of “Voluntary” to its standard definition. c. Ensure that critical whistleblowers have the right to make use of the AML Whistleblower Program.
II. Protect Whistleblowers. a. Secure the Confidentiality & Anonymity of AML whistleblowers in ALL ongoing Federal investigations involving their disclosers. b. Establish Consistent Inter-Agency Protocol with respect to Whistleblowers who have participated in crime. c. Do not Incentivize – and absolutely do not require – Internal Reporting prior to filing AML claims with FinCEN, but ensure that those who file internally first maintain award eligibility.
III. Ensure that whistleblowers are fully compensated in a timely manner. a. Give full force to related action provisions. b. Do NOT place a cap on whistleblower rewards. c. Establish and abide by a strict deadline for paying awards.
Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org.Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019. NWC’s mission is to support whistleblowers in their efforts to expose and help prosecute corruption and other wrongdoing around the world.
Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | October 6, 2023
Candidates for Jefferson Parish Councilman for the 2023 elections are being scrutinized under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes liability on those who defraud governmental programs. It is the federal government’s primary litigation tool in combating fraud against the government.
According to an analysis of federal data by Motion to Quash LLC, Councilmembers Jennifer Van Vrancken and Ricky Templet received over a half million dollars from over 350 entities that made political contributions just before or after receiving more than $73 million dollars of taxpayer backed SBA loans. In both instances, candidates received large donations after companies they controlled, or companies owned by family members, obtained loans. Frankie Hayers, the only other candidate, financed his own campaign.
Balcony Enterprises Inc, a family owned enterprise, received a total of $365,491 from the SBA. Afterward, The Balcony Ballroom issued a political contribution to Jennifer Van Vrancken in the amount of $5,000.
Hearing Health Care of Louisiana Inc, owned by family member Ryan Templet, received $186,812 from the Paycheck Protection Program. After receiving the taxpayer backed funds, Ryan Templet issued $5000 to Ricky Templet’s political campaign.
These funds were meant for struggling businesses. Generous campaign contributions just before or after receiving disaster assistance raises concerns about the legitimacy of their need for assistance. “It suggests the entities misled the SBA to obtain government funds and should be required to repay the taxpayers. Fraud schemes such as this are the costliest for the taxpayers.” a spokesperson for the agency said.
Most Egregious Abuses of the PPP
Two of the most egregious abuses of the Paycheck Protection Program, according to the analysis, were Adams & Reese Law Firm and Harvey Gulf International Marine LLC.
Adams and Reese Law Firm received $9.2 million dollars from the taxpayer backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Subsequently, Adams and Reese and ARPAC issued nearly $800,000 in political contributions, including over $100,000 paid to its own Political Action Committee.
Harvey Gulf International Marine LLC received $8.8 million dollars from the Paycheck Protection Program before issuing over $600,000 to political campaigns, including $100,000 to the Republican Party and $100,000 to Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators Inc.
Recouping Stolen Pandemic Loan Funds
Motion to Quash is a powerful representation of the fight against corruption in Jefferson Parish, with the Anti Corruption Scorecard serving as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in our political system. The scorecards are sufficient to provide accurate, reliable and sound judgment of campaign finance abuse, particularly for those interested in the 2023 Elections and the stand against corruption.
Contributions alone are not enough for an investigation. However, generous campaign contributions and confidential disclosures submitted to the Inspector General are enough evidence to lead to criminal prosecutions.
“When the pandemic started, the SBA took on an outsized role in restarting our nation’s economy. The PPP and EIDL programs were vital to saving small businesses, but that fact does not excuse $200 billion in fraud,” explained Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX). “It’s a top priority of this Committee to recoup these stolen funds, and yesterday’s hearing looked at new, innovative private sector solutions to do just that. I’m very grateful for our four witnesses, and we’ll continue our work on holding these fraudsters accountable.”
Click the link to read the Statement of Michael E. Horowitz, Chair, Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis concerning “Examining Federal Efforts To Prevent, Detect, And Prosecute Pandemic Relief Fraud To Safeguard Funds For All Eligible Americans”
Campaign finance reports were obtained from the Louisiana Ethics Board website. Disaster Recipient Profiles were found at usaspending.gov.
Methodology
For consistency, the total scores were based on these three principles:
Campaign contributions issued (5 points)
Campaign contributions received (5 points)
Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 points)
Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent.
Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org with the new information.
Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org.Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019. NWC’s mission is to support whistleblowers in their efforts to expose and help prosecute corruption and other wrongdoing around the world.
Louisiana State Representatives are being scrutinized under the False Claims Act for receiving payments from over 100 entities that received over $200 million dollars in taxpayer backed Disaster Assistance, according to an analysis of federal government data by Motion to Quash LLC.
The investigation of loan fraud by PPP loan recipients and Louisiana lawmakers is alarming. Businesses issued large political donations after receiving taxpayer backed pandemic loans, raising concerns about the legitimacy of their need for assistance. “Loan recipients who issued campaign contributions after receiving their awards should be required to repay the loans,” a spokesperson for the agency said. “Fraud schemes such as this are the costliest for the taxpayers.”
Motion to Quash is a powerful representation of the fight against corruption in Jefferson Parish, with the State Representative Anti Corruption Scorecard serving as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in our political system. The scorecards are sufficient to provide accurate, reliable and sound judgment of campaign finance abuse, particularly for those interested in the 2023 Elections and the stand against corruption.
Campaign finance reports were obtained from the Louisiana Ethics Board website. Disaster Relief Profiles were found at usaspending.gov.
Of the 21 candidates for State Representative on the Jefferson Parish sample ballot, 6 scored A+ (28.6%), 1 scored B+ (4.8%), 1 scored B- (4.8%), 2 scored C (9.5%), 8 scored D (38.1%), and 3 scored F (14.3%)
Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)
From the time period 2020 to the present, candidates received a grand total of contributions over $1.4 million dollars including a sum of over $600,000 from pharmaceuticals, gaming interests, government contractors, and PPP disaster recipients. By far the most frequent recipient is Timothy Kerner Sr.
Methodology
For consistency, the total scores were based on these three principles:
Campaign contributions issued (5 points)
Campaign contributions received (5 points)
Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 points)
Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent.
Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org with the new information.
Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center, Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC.
Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | August 27, 2023
Use of political campaign funds has been of great interest lately among Louisiana voters and members of the Louisiana Board of Ethics. The Motion to Quash scorecards are sufficient to provide accurate, reliable and sound judgment of campaign finance abuse. Motion to Quash identifies quid pro quo by compiling and analyzing campaign contribution data and through its understanding of the electoral and public policy-making process.
Anti Corruption Scorecard for Jefferson Parish State Senator Candidates
Of the 9 candidates for State Senator on the Jefferson Parish sample ballot, 2 scored A+ (22.2%), 1 scored B- (11.1%), 5 scored C (55.6%), and 1 scored F (11.1%).
Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)
Candidates received a sum of $225,670 from pharmaceuticals, gaming interests, and government contractors. The most frequent recipients are Kirk Talbot and Timothy Kerner.
Methodology
For consistency, the total scores were based on these three principles:
Campaign contributions issued (5 points)
Campaign contributions received (5 points)
Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 points)
Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent.
Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org with the new information.
Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center, Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the American Money Laundering Act and the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by donating today. Click here to donate. The National Whistleblower Center (NWC) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to protecting and rewarding whistleblowers around the world.
Join us for our 10th Anniversary Event on July 27th
Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | May 30, 2023
I’m so grateful to be recognized, again, by the National Whistleblower Center! I remain committed to advocating for whistleblowers and spreading public awareness about the adversity we face.
On behalf of Motion to Quash LLC, I would like to extend a warm invitation to you for this year’s 10th Anniversary National Whistleblower Day event July 27th on Capitol Hill. The success of our past NWD events was dependent upon the support of people like you. We hope you will join us again this year for our celebration, which will include a live panel of whistleblowers, a speech from whistleblower supporter Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and a discussion from National Whistleblower Center founder Stephen Kohn.
This live, in-person event on July 27th will honor the contributions of whistleblowers to our nation, and the storied history of whistleblowing in the U.S.
Hope to see you there! We can’t celebrate without you! Seats to this event are limited, so please R.S.V.P. HERE
The National Whistleblower Day campaign aims to make National Whistleblower Day permanent by urging President Biden to sign an Executive Order mandating that all federal agencies recognize July 30th as National Whistleblower Day. For more information and ways you can support the campaign, please visit:
National Whistleblower Day 2023 on Capitol Hill Why We Celebrate National Whistleblower Day
The history of National Whistleblower Day dates back to the founding days of our nation. On July 30th 1778, The U.S. Continental Congress passed America’s first whistleblower law during the height of the American Revolution. To honor this history and the foundational nature of of whistleblowing in America, we celebrate National Whistleblower Day every year on July 30th.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) signed the first National Whistleblower Day 10 years ago.Since then, NWC has supported an incredible group of whistleblowers and their bi-partisan allies in Congress to continue the NWD tradition.
In recognition of the sacrifices of whistleblowers, and in honor of the crucial contributions that whistleblowers have made to our democracy, Motion to Quash LLC stands with NWC wholeheartedly alongside the whistleblowers. We’re calling on both chambers of Congress and President Biden to permanently designate July 30 as National Whistleblower Day in the U.S. This is the single most important action the Federal Government can take to acknowledge the importance of whistleblowing and combating the culture of retaliation against whistleblowers. To learn more about these critical efforts to make National Whistleblower Day permanent, visit:
Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC promotes legislation that supports the American Anti-Corruption Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019 Click here to donate.
We’re excited to share the NWC schedule for the third and final day of National Whistleblower Day 2022!
2 PM EST The Story of National Whistleblower Day
Speakers:Stephen Kohn, Jane Turner Tune in for our annual tradition of telling the story of our nation’s brave first whistleblowers and the important actions taken by the Continental Congress to safeguard the integrity of democracy in the United States.
2:30 PM EST Life After Whistleblowing
Speakers:Jane Tuner, Fred Whitehurst, Jackie Garrick, Sara Thompson, Sherron Watkins Influential U.S. whistleblowers will join Jane Turner in an in depth discussion about the impacts whistleblowing has had on their lives and families, how they have moved forward after facing retaliation, and what comes next.
Early Career Whistleblower Attorneys join together to discuss their role in whistleblower rights and protections and best practices learned from mentors who, together with industry changing whistleblowers, helped create the whistleblower laws we use today. Moderated by Matthew Beddingfield of ZMF.
4:30 PM EST Reading of Whistleblower Names
Speakers:Stephen Kohn, Siri Nelson, Jane Turner Over 100 whistleblowers have registered to be recognized this year. We will read their names to commemorate and celebrate their whistleblowing.
5 PM EST Keynote
Speaker:Dr. Allison Gill Federal Whistleblower Dr. Allison Gill tells the story of her whistleblowing, and what came next.
Hope you can attend. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Tracie Burke, President
Motion to Quash LLC
Below are the whistleblowers who’ve submitted their name to be recognized on National Whistleblower Day 2022. These names will be read aloud throughout the ceremony.
Agnes Mina Al Atlansky Aleksey Anisimov Amy Joy Andrae Crayton Andrew Scollick Anthony Barberan Austin Handle Avshalom Tevel Babak Babakinejad Barry Angeline Belinda Calvin Boisson Alexandre Brian Bolden Bruce Gabbard Carrie Devorah Christopher Hood Cindy Dennis-Schappe Constance Andresen Dale Klein Daniel Richardson Daribor Maroevic Darlene Ewing Darren Mitton Dave Dambrosio David Conklin David P. Weber David Skrypichayko Deliris Montanez Diane Signorile Dr. Jason Piccolo Dr. May Edwards Dr. Toni Savage Endashaw Mogessie Tiruneh Francine Marie Arthur Gary Moody George Duggan Georgina Halford-Hall
Gerald Bini Greg Kopatch Heidi Weber Helen Edwards Ibrahim Hussain Baqir Hussain Jacqueline Garrick James Murtagh James English James Moss Jane Turner Jason Piccolo Javier Esqueda Jennifer Sanchez Jill Maratea John Christmas Joseph Carson Julie Dicks Kathy Callahan Katie Lenza Kayla Walker Keith Dougherty Keith Garber Kelly Miller Kenneth Leonard Kevin Stanton Kimberly Young-Mclear Laser Haas Lawrence Miruka Martin Edwinandersen Matthew Jernigan Matthew Tuinstra Mauro Botta Michael Kirwan Michael Larsen Michael Pulse Mike T. Muna Nadia Sindi
Philip Rudy Raulito Balingit Rebekah Jones Rebekah Jones Robert Kobus Robert Maclean Robin Weiss Ron Fisher Roselyn Tolliver Ryan Sweazey Sara Thompson Sam Gundersen Sherri Marquis Sonya McNeal Spencer Murray Stephanie Van De Motter Steve Spangle Susan Carlson Teresa Tumblin Terry Williams Thomas Peterson Tony Rigg Tracie Burke Trevor Kitchen Veronica James Veronica Lack Vina Colley Vitus Ejiogu Chibueze
Today, Motion to Quash LLC is joining the National Whistleblower Center in welcoming French Assembly Member Ugo Bernalicis as we celebrate National Whistleblower Day! Register Here for Whistlebower Day 2-International. Free to Attend!
Hear Mr. Bernalicis’ remarks, today, Friday, July 29, at 2 PM EST.RSVP here!
Ugo Bernalicis was elected to the French National Assembly in 2017 and represents La France Insoumise. As a member of the National Assembly, Bernalicis is committed to bettering France’s whistleblower laws. He has proposed numerous improvements which he continues to advocate for. Although it is believed that the EU Directive was modeled on French whistleblower laws, there is still room to improve. In his remarks, Mr. Bernalicis will discuss needed improvements to French whistleblower law and his general support for whistleblowers.
Here is the schedule for today:
International Whistleblowers and Whistleblower Advocates
2 PM EST
Opening Remarks
Speaker: Ugo Bernalicis
Ugo Bernalicis to give opening remarks on Day 2 of the National Whistleblower Day event.
2:30 PM EST
Understanding Whistleblower Rewards
Speakers: Aiyesha Dey, Jonas Heese, Stephen Kohn
Harvard Business School professors discuss their groundbreaking work on understanding what motivates whistleblowers and the impact of reward laws on whistleblower decision making with author and whistleblower attorney Stephen Kohn.
3:30 PM EST
International Whistleblower Experiences Panel
Speakers: Johannes Stefansson, Yasmine Motarjemi, Ari Danikas
Whistleblowers from around the world will chat with whistleblower Johannes Stefansson, who is from Iceland and blew the whistle in Namibia. The conversation will cover little know nuances of their experiences as whistleblowers outside of the United States.
5 PM EST
Fireside Chat with Alfred Brownell
Speakers: Alfred Brownell, Siri Nelson
Join Siri Nelson and Alfred Brownell for an interactive discussion about environmental whistleblowers and environmental defenders around the world. Alfred Brownell is a professor at Yale and an environmental whistleblower and defender.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Tracie Burke, President
Motion to Quash LLC
Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC promotes legislation that supports the American Anti-Corruption Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019 Click here to donate.
Welcome to this year’s National Whistleblower Day celebration. This year we’re celebrating online, again, with the NWC, and will have many opportunities to interact.
We’re proud to announce that the House Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds will kick off our event!
The Office is an independent and nonpartisan resource dedicated to serving the U.S. House of Representatives. It advises members of Congress on best practices for working with whistleblowers from the public and private sectors. It also offers resources to educate whistleblowers regarding our rights and options for reporting wrongdoing.
Indeed, Motion to Quash LLC is very familiar with this Office and so honored that they will present their work with Staff Directors Tim Monahan, and Jamie Fleet.
We often contact Congress directly about our concerns and this is your chance to learn how professional whistleblower advocates help prepare your legislators to work with whistleblowers. Your tax dollars are at work, and we invite you to RSVP for our free event to get updates. After that, participate in our Q&A on July 28th, at 2:30 PM EST
Emphatically, Motion to Quash LLC is committed to advocating for whistleblowers and spreading public awareness about the adversity whistleblowers face—to continue with this mission, we need your support. Encourage your friends to RSVP today.
Please ask Congress , as soon as possible, to make National Whistleblower Day a Federal Day of Observance.
Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC promotes legislation that supports the American Anti-Corruption Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019 Click here to donate.
Integrity is a top issue facing Louisiana voters. Unfair business practices and long standing financial connections are breeding grounds for corruption. See how candidates score on integrity for the November 2021 Statewide/Multi-Parish Elections.
We based the candidate integrity scores on these three principles: Campaign Contributions Issued, Campaign Contributions Received, and Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest.
Click here to view the SCORECARD. You can download and print the complimentary spreadsheet. Click on the Grades Tab to view each Candidate’s folder.
METHODOLOGY
Candidates are graded on the number of critical issues for anti-corruption listed in the candidate scorecard, as divided into three overarching principles. We believe all of these issues are crucial for candidate integrity.
We assigned a total possible score of 5 for each principle. For the sake of consistency, we treat individual issues equally: calculating fewer of these critical issues gets candidates a higher score—and only when they score 15 for the whole package do they score 100 percent.
We compiled candidate information from their campaign websites, in interviews, or from public and private sources.
Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback—if you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org with the new information.
Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC promotes legislation that supports the American Anti-Corruption Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019 Click here to donate.
Recognized by the
