DOJ official: People ‘drawing the right conclusions’ on national security focus

A wave of enforcement actions from the Department of Justice (DOJ) related to national security concerns is imminent, according to experts.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, Israel’s war with Hamas, and other geopolitical events are causing a spike in sanctions levied by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other countries. As a result, there are new sanctions nearly every month that firms must incorporate into their sanctions screening compliance programs.

Other areas of compliance feeling pressure include anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-bribery.

Christian Nauvel, deputy chief counsel for corporate enforcement in the DOJ’s National Security Division, said the agency’s focus on national security is “top of mind at the highest levels.”