Anti-Corruption

As government enforcement actions around anti-corruption—specifically, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and equivalent laws and regulations in Europe—continue to rise, companies doing business outside the U.S. must take a much more proactive approach to mitigating the related risks.

The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has introduced several new measures to increase prosecution of individuals for FCPA violations, including a one-year pilot program intended to motivate companies to voluntarily self-disclose FCPA-related misconduct, fully cooperate, and remediate flaws in controls and compliance programs. This increased level of scrutiny requires companies to address the numerous complex issues surrounding anti-corruption risk management, internal control compliance and training, as well as to conduct robust investigations into allegations or “red flags” indicating possible non-compliance.

Anti-Money Laundering

In recent years, regulatory fines and large settlements resulting from deferred prosecution agreements associated with lapses in anti-money laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance programs have continued to rise. Financial institutions have paid steep penalties for failure to maintain scrupulous records and adhere to strict regulatory standards, specifically addressing potential violations of the BSA and other AML regulations.

StoneTurn’s AML professionals are experienced in advising clients on compliance with financial crime prevention regulations. Our investigations, forensic accounting and compliance and risk experts have experience working with government entities that enforce the BSA, the USA Patriot Act, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) rules. Several of our investigations professionals are certified anti-money laundering specialists (ACAMS) and have significant experience working on complex investigations and monitoring teams.

Asset Tracing and Recovery

Increasingly complex and sophisticated embezzlement schemes. Shifting regulations across multiple jurisdictions. The need to work seamlessly with government entities to collect evidence. In today’s global business environment, sophisticated investigative skills are required to identify and recover intentionally hard-to-locate assets.

StoneTurn’s global team approaches asset tracing and recovery matters from a forensic viewpoint, considering both what is not shown to us, as well as checking what is provided. StoneTurn brings a team of global, on-demand experts to untangle complex financial transactions across multiple jurisdictions, identify schemes and ultimate owners, as well as quantify and recover “hidden” assets. StoneTurn’s team of professionals which includes alumni of global public accounting and large consulting firms, law firms, federal law enforcement agencies, and federal and state prosecutors’ offices, has unmatched experience in high-profile asset tracing and recovery investigations. This range of experience means our client service teams bring diverse skills and broad perspectives to every engagement.

Compliance & Monitoring

Corporate counsel, compliance professionals and internal audit teams face ever-increasing expectations. Regulatory scrutiny is on the rise. There is significant pressure to cut costs. The threat of reputational damage is significant. StoneTurn helps firms in the U.K. become more proactive by identifying sources of criminal and unethical conduct, and implementing procedures and protocols to avoid future problems. We also serve as a court- and government-appointed independent monitor to assess remediation efforts. Turn to us for subject matter and industry expertise, reliable investigative results, objectivity and a proven track record as a trusted adviser.

Data Science & Analytics

Businesses are generating vast amounts of data across a growing number of locations at a rapid pace. While data can be used to measure or create operational efficiencies, it can also be used to prove or disprove facts in legal disputes and investigations, to identify financial reporting issues, as well as to measure the effectiveness of ethics and compliance programmes.

StoneTurn analyses volumes of complex financial, accounting and business data; creates dynamic visual models; and extracts key insights in order to provide a factual basis to draw qualitative conclusions and defend business decisions and activities. In addition, clients rely on us for clear strategies on how to align their data with specific objectives.

Due Diligence

In today’s global marketplace, organizations rely on reputational integrity to build market share, attract top talent and grow sustainably. Business successes are often wiped away by one reputational black mark―especially one that might have been preventable.

Whether as part of a financial transaction or an inquiry-related fact-finding effort, StoneTurn’s team of “on-demand” forensic accountants, technologists and investigatory researchers partner with corporations and their counsel to strengthen due diligence efforts. Our goal is to ensure that any questionable issues can be addressed―and explained―before an event takes place or the ink on a transaction is dry. Clients rely on our meticulous, fastidious attention to detail when partnerships, IPOs, foreign investments, mergers or acquisitions are on the horizon. Turn to us.

Financial Fraud

Ponzi schemes, securities fraud, asset misappropriation, embezzlement, money laundering—and the list goes on. Financial fraud continues to plague global businesses ranging from large multinational enterprises through to start-up organizations.

StoneTurn’s forensic accounting experts are experienced in GAAP, PCAOB standards, GAAS, IFRS, and examine and reconstruct books and records, conduct interviews and quantify losses in corporate fraud investigations. We also work closely with counsel and clients to identify gaps in internal controls and determine how and why misconduct occurred, as well as to develop and implement controls to prevent future wrongdoing.

Intelligence-Led Litigation Support

Increasingly complex disputes that play out across jurisdictions around the world. Shifting economic and political landscapes. High standards of testimony and evidence required by courts and tribunals. In today’s global business environment, sophisticated investigative skills are required to support legal teams with intelligence that informs a winning case strategy.

StoneTurn’s collaborative and responsive global team works seamlessly with magic circle, white shoe and boutique law firms, GCs, barristers/QCs and their clients on highly sensitive legal proceedings. We leverage first-hand insights into challenging jurisdictions, broad in-house language capabilities, and a proprietary network of sources to deliver intelligence that is critical in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, investigations and other complex business disputes.

International Arbitration

An age of globalisation. Businesses trading across borders. Governments welcoming outside investors. As foreign markets provide significant opportunities for companies to expand, there is a greater risk of legal disputes. International Arbitration has become a preferred method of cross-border dispute resolution for its neutral forum, as well as the parties’ ability to select arbitrators who are experts in the field in question, and the flexibility to influence the rules of the proceedings.

StoneTurn has extensive experience providing quantum damages calculations, analysis and investigative expert witness services in complex international arbitrations. Our team leaders have been publicly recognised in the legal community, and testified on international cases under arbitration rules such as ICC, LCIA, LMAA, SAL and UNCITRAL, across a range of industries.

Investigations

Increasing scrutiny from globally coordinated regulators. Whistleblower allegations on the rise. Escalating losses from fraud. Corporate investigations are becoming more and more complex when it comes to gathering all relevant facts and managing any subsequent financial, legal and organisational implications.

StoneTurn looks beyond the surface when it comes to corporate investigations. Our professionals have decades of invaluable, hands-on involvement in discovering information related to specific issues. Forensic accountants, data analytics experts and skilled investigators work together to find salient information that can support responses to an array of inquiries:

• Private prosecutions
• Cross-border investigations
• Alleged breaches of economic sanctions
• Asset tracing and recovery
• Regulatory or compliance irregularities
• Financial fraud and misstatements
• Asset misappropriation
• Anti-corruption
• Anti-money laundering issues
• Whistleblower allegations
• Post-bankruptcy analyses
• Discovery requests
• Due diligence
• Workplace harassment issues
• Business intelligence

Financial Services

Heightened government scrutiny. New anti-corruption risks. Unexpected whistleblower allegations. The need to collect and manipulate ever-growing volumes of data. In a post-crisis world, financial services organisations require trusted advisers who bring deep industry knowledge as well as experience across the legal and compliance spectrum.

StoneTurn’s expert professionals average more than 25 years of experience and have served at more than 25 of the largest financial services institutions, U.K. and U.S. regulatory and prosecutorial agencies, and Big Four audit firms. Our team draws upon this unique experience to help financial services clients manage risks, respond to regulatory inquiries, and investigate alleged fraud and misconduct.

Private Equity

Post-acquisition disputes. Increasing compliance expectations. Growing anti-corruption risks. Private equity firms and their portfolio companies are struggling to balance the rising costs of compliance and disputes against expectations among investors accustomed to hefty returns of the past. Additionally, fraud due diligence is becoming critically important in transactions as regulators remain focused on anti-corruption measures.

StoneTurn’s experts have worked across the private equity industry to assist clients and their legal advisers with litigation, investigations, valuation and compliance issues. We address the complex financial, accounting and economic-related issues in legal matters; look beyond the surface in investigating matters ranging from regulatory inquiries to financial fraud; determine damages in complex business disputes; detect anti-corruption risks; and assess the effectiveness of compliance programmes.

Retail & Consumer Goods

Store closures. Slumping sales. Advancements in technology elevating consumer expectations. The retail industry is undergoing transformation from a traditional brick-and-mortar model to an online-driven landscape that is introducing significant challenges. At the same time, retailers and consumer products manufacturers face complex litigation, intellectual property disputes, fraud investigations and compliance risks.

StoneTurn’s experts have worked with clients across the retail and consumer products industries. We bring significant experience in assisting corporate executives and their counsel to address the complex financial, accounting and economic-related issues in legal matters; look beyond the surface in investigating matters ranging from regulatory inquiries to financial fraud; determine damages in intellectual property disputes; manage risks; and assess the effectiveness of compliance programs.

Technology

Rising cybersecurity risks. Significant advancements at a rapid pace. Global competition for intellectual property ownership. Technology companies today must continually innovate to stay ahead of both security risks and their competitors, while legally protecting assets. In a fast-paced business environment in which knowledge sharing has become more widespread and competition for employees is fierce, managing these challenges is now more difficult than ever before.

StoneTurn’s professionals have deep expertise working with technology firms on complex disputes, as well as risks and investigations. We assist with valuation across the quantum of damages, patent, copyright and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and Lanham Act actions. Our Forensic Technology and Data Analytics professionals often work seamlessly with our other teams to assist clients in these matters.

Telecommunications

Explosive growth in connectivity. Increased pressure on infrastructure to move larger amounts of data faster. Uncertain regulatory landscape resulting from an uptick in consolidation. As more consumer products “connect,” telecommunications companies have significant opportunities for growth. To remain competitive, these organisations must continue to invest in infrastructure, global presence and technology.

StoneTurn’s professionals are experienced in assisting telecommunications companies with the challenges and opportunities they face in a global, fast-moving market. We assist with valuation across the quantum of damages, trade secret misappropriation, due diligence for M&A and lending transactions, and investigations into FCPA and accounting fraud allegations.