U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a powerful opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on "Cleaning Up the C-Suite: Ensuring Accountability for Corporate Criminals." Durbin's statement comes on the heels of the reintroduction of the Corporate Crime Database Act, a bill that aims to collect comprehensive data on federal corporate criminal enforcement actions.

Durbin highlighted the alarming decline in federal prosecutions of corporate crime under both the Trump and Biden administrations. He emphasized that in 2020, only 94 corporate crimes were prosecuted, and in 2021, that number dropped to a mere 90. These figures represent less than half of the average annual number of corporate crime prosecutions in the past 25 years.

During his statement, Durbin expressed concern about the lack of accountability for corporate executives responsible for decisions that lead to multi-billion dollar lawsuits. He specifically mentioned the case of Purdue Pharma, where executives escaped personal liability while millions suffered from opioid addiction. Durbin stated, "Many people personally impacted by these corporate crimes have been denied true justice."

Durbin criticized the current practice of settling criminal investigations of corporations, which often results in deferred prosecution and limited judicial oversight. He emphasized the need for greater transparency in these lenient resolutions and pointed to legislation he introduced last year with Senator Richard Blumenthal to require comprehensive data collection regarding corporate crime.

The Senator stressed the importance of providing the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the necessary resources to prosecute complex corporate criminal activity. He argued that corporate executives must face real consequences for their actions, rather than just insignificant fines. Durbin stated, "Corporate executives have little incentive to change their criminal conduct without fear of real consequences."

Durbin commended Attorney General Garland and Deputy Attorney General Monaco for prioritizing corporate crime and updating DOJ's enforcement policies. However, he emphasized that more needs to be done to ensure justice and accountability. Durbin emphasized, "There cannot be two systems of justice—one for wealthy corporations and executives, and one for everyday Americans."

The hearing also highlighted recent efforts by the DOJ to address the decline in corporate criminal prosecutions. The formation of a Corporate Crime Advisory Group and additional policy changes demonstrate the DOJ's commitment to making corporate criminal enforcement a priority.

Durbin, along with Senators Blumenthal and Scanlon, successfully advocated for increased transparency and data collection on corporate crime. The DOJ launched a searchable corporate crime database on its public website, a promising step towards implementing reforms outlined in the Corporate Crime Database Act.

Durbin's opening statement reflects a growing concern over the lack of accountability for corporate criminals. The hearing serves as an important platform to discuss the need for stronger enforcement and consequences for corporate wrongdoing. As Durbin aptly stated, "The victims of corporate crimes deserve better, and the public deserves answers."

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/releases/durbin-delivers-opening-statement-during-senate-judiciary-committee-hearing-on-ensuring-accountability-for-corporate-criminals