![Risk.net](https://www.risk.net/sites/default/files/styles/print_logo/public/2018-09/print-logo.png?itok=1TpHrpuP)
Warnings over SFO head reforms
Reforms mooted by new head of SFO will damage the fight against financial crime, pressure groups warn
LONDON – The new director of the Serious Fraud Office Richard Alderman has mooted a series of reforms that lawyers, investigators and pressure groups say would cut the number of criminal cases the agency brought against big companies and senior executives, the Financial Times has reported. A number of lawyers and financial crime investigators told the FT that they are worried by Alderman’s focus on consumer-type frauds, public education and ways of targeting suspects without laying charges, such as civil court asset seizures.
The concerns follow the departure of a third of the senior management team at the SFO, and the pressure groups worry that the organisation will lose vital expertise and leadership on overseas corruption through the departure of division head Helen Garlick. Some also suspect that the reforms are a precursor to closing the SFO or folding it into the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
Alderman has said the SFO will retain a major role in prosecuting fraud and corruption, and that no decision on reforms had yet been taken.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
More on Regulation
Banks fret over vendor contracts as Dora deadline looms
Thousands of vendor contracts will need repapering to comply with EU’s new digital resilience rules
EU banks lose relief on model test after FRTB delay
Deferment of new trading book regime to January 2025 eats into transition period for “erratic” P&L attribution test
Sunday night football and the Basel III endgame
Big banks, political advocates and housing organisations are unlikely allies in race to dropkick new capital regime
Futures exchanges seek clarity on China licensing regime
Hazy details on landmark Futures and Derivatives Law breeds legal uncertainty, unnerving operators
Some EU banks wanted option to start FRTB on time
Representatives of member states raised possibility with European Commission at July meeting discussing the delay
For US Treasury troubles, treat the cause not the symptom
Regulatory alarm about hidden risk in the Treasury futures market misses the point, fund association execs write
Iosco delays pre-hedging consultation to November
Review into controversial practice splits industry
Honey, I shrunk the Fed. (Not a sci-fi fantasy)
Promoting the discount window may be the Fed’s key to shrinking its $7trn balance sheet, says Bill Nelson