It’s tough to keep track of all the ways the Trump administration and Big Business are exploiting the coronavirus emergency for their own benefit.

But, as always, Public Citizen is doing our level best.

Here’s one that may have flown under your radar.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is supposed to hold criminals — civilian and corporate — accountable.

Of course, the department has a long and decidedly undistinguished record of letting Corporate America off the hook almost no matter how brazenly it flouts the law.

The DOJ is quite notorious, actually, for such minuscule, pennies-on-the-dollar fines that Big Business just considers getting caught a minor “cost of doing business” as it carries on breaking law after law in a myopic drive for profits.

And now — citing the coronavirus as a bogus excuse — the DOJ is letting companies stop paying even these barely-a-slap-on-the-wrist penalties for at least a few months, maybe indefinitely.

Corporate criminals don’t even have to show any evidence that the coronavirus has affected their business or their ability to pay their fines!

Meanwhile, everyday Americans having trouble with their rent, mortgage, credit cards or student loans are facing eviction, foreclosure, bankruptcy and relentless hounding by unscrupulous debt collectors. (More on all of that in future emails.)

Struggling families deserve a break. Corporate criminals do not.

Tell the Department of Justice:

Do not give corporate criminals an undeserved reprieve from paying the already-too-modest fines they were duly assessed for breaking the law.

Add your name now.

Thanks for taking action.

Stay safe.

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. This message is part of our ongoing outreach to help you stay informed and involved as our nation and the world grapple with the coronavirus emergency. Public Citizen — like many nonprofits and other small businesses — is feeling the financial strain as this crisis intensifies. If you can, please consider donating to support the critical work we’re doing together. Thank you.
 
 
Public Citizen | 1600 20th Street NW | Washington DC 20009 | Unsubscribe