Fighting Corruption: Efforts by Switzerland and the United States to Recover Stolen Assets

Description: 

Transparency and good governance efforts have long focused on the serious threat to the political and economic development of countries posed by corruption. Anti-corruption efforts have emphasized to the need to enhance regulations, promote the rule of law, and pursue civil and criminal penalties against bad actors in order to counter these threats. However, the proceeds from corrupt practices often are difficult to track and recover, even after civil or criminal actions have been pursued.

The World Bank and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime have emphasized the importance of focusing on this issue with the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR). Domestic governments are stepping up their own efforts to recover the illegal proceeds of corrupt practices and return them to the affected communities and peoples. The Swiss Embassy and the American Society of International Law are pleased to host a conversation with actors from the Swiss and American governments working on these issues, who will address the ongoing challenges in stolen asset recovery and possible steps forward.

SPEAKERS:

  • Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, director and legal adviser, Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Daniel Claman, assistant deputy chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Nancy Boswell, director, US & International Anti-Corruption Law Program, American University Washington College of Law

ASIL's Government Attorneys Interest Group is a cosponsor of this event. 

Date and Location

Date: 
Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Location: 
Tillar House
Address 1: 
2223 Massachusetts Ave NW
City: 
Washington
State: 
DC
Zip Code: 
20008