Hello John,
Organized crime and corruption launder $3.1 trillion a year through the global financial system, with devastating effects worldwide. While some send comforting signals to corrupt actors, OCCRP is doubling down.
The Trump administration has:
Ordered a stop to enforcing the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), freezing new foreign bribery investigations, and even allowing “remedial actions” of past enforcement actions deemed “inappropriate.” For groups subject to FCPA investigations — including two subjects of recent OCCRP reporting, U.S.-based Steward Health Care and India’s Adani Group — this move will come as a huge relief.
Disbanded the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and KleptoCapture Task Force, units which proved their value in huge corruption cases like 1MDB and in seizing the assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs, and diverted resources away from investigating white-collar crime.
Moved to drop the criminal charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, opening the door for other officials to court illicit foreign funds.
Failed to release approved financial support to journalists and activists on the front lines of fighting corruption around the world.
OCCRP, on the other hand, forged ahead. Just this week, we:
Joined and won the first lawsuit against the U.S. foreign aid freeze, standing up against arbitrary and damaging efforts to undermine Congressional appropriations powers.
Exposed the internal workings of a European illegal betting empire. According to exclusive interviews with the imprisoned finance director of the operation, the group spent $15 million a month to pay off officials in Turkey and northern Cyprus.
Brought together journalists from Europe, Oceania, and Latin America to report on a drug-trafficking ring. This cross-border story drew on the 5-terabyte “NarcoFiles” data leak which OCCRP processed and analyzed.
Corrected the record in the face of baseless attacks from American alt-right groups, leveled in social media posts, Congressional hearings, and media appearances, that we are part of some deep-state conspiracy.
Ramped up security measures in the face of rising threats to our people and partners, as kleptocrats around the world feel emboldened to go after the journalists who dare speak uncomfortable truths.
Scrambled to raise funds to protect our staff and partners, following the U.S. foreign aid freeze, which cut 38% of our budget and 83% of the grants we provide to other newsrooms. Some OCCRP member centers operating in dangerous environments face even steeper losses, as high as 80% and 90%.
Despite growing threats and powerful opponents, our network's resolve is stronger than ever to keep up the pressure and expose to the public how crime and corruption work.
To succeed, we need your support. Help us resist and fight back.
