Webcast: Recent Developments in Multilateral Development Bank Enforcement

February 28, 2024

Multilateral Development Banks (“MDBs”), such as The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and Asian Development Bank, have robust enforcement processes to police fraud, corruption, and related sanctionable practices in MDB-funded projects. MDBs have powerful investigative, auditing, and sanctioning tools at their disposal, which can result in significant penalties against individuals and companies. These penalties can be financially devastating for companies—including being debarred from working on any MDB-funded projects anywhere in the world for a single violation on a single MDB-funded project. This webinar explores recent trends in MDB enforcement, and provides tips on how to manage MDB enforcement risk.

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PANELISTS:

Michael Diamant is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn. His practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and corporate compliance. Mr. Diamant has broad white collar defense experience representing corporations and corporate executives facing criminal and regulatory charges. He has represented clients in an array of matters, including accounting and securities fraud, antitrust violations, and environmental crimes, before law enforcement and regulators, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Diamant also has managed numerous internal investigations for publicly traded corporations and conducted fieldwork in nineteen different countries on five continents. In addition to his U.S. government-facing work, Mr. Diamant has extensive World Bank Group enforcement experience, working on behalf of clients under investigation by the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency and assisting companies already subject to World Bank sanction.

Christopher R. Kim is a senior managing director in the Washington, DC, office of Guidepost Solutions, focusing on investigations, due diligence, monitorships, and compliance. He brings over 25 years of investigative and/or legal experience in U.S. criminal cases, multilateral development banks sanctions cases, and internal corporate cases. Mr. Kim’s practice is focused on engagements involving investigations including internal investigations, defense investigations for federal, state and/or multilateral development bank sanctions cases and compliance matters involving regulatory actions. Prior to his private practice, Mr. Kim was a Senior Investigator at the World Bank Group, where he planned, managed, and directed multi-disciplinary teams in the audits of multi-national corporations alleged to have been involved in fraud, corruption and/or collusion in various regions, i.e., Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa. He also led due diligence efforts involved with the World Bank International Finance Corporation.

Pedro G. Soto is of counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is a member of the White Collar Defense and Investigations group, and his practice focuses primarily on anti-corruption and fraud matters. He has more than 12 years of experience representing corporations and individuals under investigation by government authorities. He has successfully represented companies under investigation by the integrity units at the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, including by obtaining declinations of enforcement actions. Mr. Soto has particularly deep experience in Latin America, where he has worked on matters in more than 15 different countries. He also represents foreign governments and private claimants in significant litigation and arbitration matters.


MCLE CREDIT INFORMATION:

This program has been approved for credit in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 1.0 credit hour, of which 1.0 credit hour may be applied toward the Areas of Professional Practice requirement. This course is approved for transitional/non-transitional credit.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.0 hour in the General category.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is authorized by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to provide in-house CPD training. This program is approved for CPD credit in the amount of 1.0 hour. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Number 324652).

Neither the Connecticut Judicial Branch nor the Commission on Minimum Continuing Legal Education approve or accredit CLE providers or activities. It is the opinion of this provider that this activity qualifies for up to 1 hour toward your annual CLE requirement in Connecticut, including 0 hour(s) of ethics/professionalism.

Application for approval is pending with the Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and Washington State Bars.

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Attorney Advertising: These materials were prepared for general informational purposes only based on information available at the time of publication and are not intended as, do not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. Gibson Dunn (and its affiliates, attorneys, and employees) shall not have any liability in connection with any use of these materials.  The sharing of these materials does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the recipient and should not be relied upon as an alternative for advice from qualified counsel.  Please note that facts and circumstances may vary, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.