The U.S. is the easiest place in the world for a criminal, terrorist, tax cheat, or kleptocrat to open an anonymous shell company to launder their money with impunity. Anonymous corporations are great ways to hide money and other assets — they can hold a bank account or buy a yacht. Criminals often layer anonymous corporations, with one owning another and so on, making it even harder for law enforcement to “trace the money” and figure out who is directing the company’s activity. It’s time to ending the use of anonymous shell companies as vehicles for illicit activity by requiring that the true owners of U.S. companies be disclosed at the time of formation and updated upon any change.
15 NGOs sent a letter of support for the Aircraft Ownership Transparency Act (H.R.393) and Secure Government Buildings from Espionage Act (H.R.392).
The Fraternal Order of Police sent a letter in support of the ILLICIT CASH Act (S. 2563) which includes a provision requiring the collection of beneficial ownership information.
ILLICIT CASH Act Opens Viable Pathway to Senate Passage
Statement by Gary Kalman, Executive Director of the FACT Coalition
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of eight U.S. senators on a key Senate committee introduced legislation Thursday to update federal anti-money laundering laws and end the incorporation of anonymous companies in the U.S.
More than a dozen anti-human trafficking groups sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs urging members to end the incorporation of anonymous shell companies.
Anonymous companies have been used by rogue employees to embezzle money, fraudulent vendors to undermine supply chains, and bogus competitors to steal contracts.
With fewer resources than larger enterprises, small businesses are often easy targets for scammers and criminals.
The Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 takes the simple, yet effective, step to require corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) to disclose to law enforcement and others with legally mandated anti-money laundering responsibilities (e.g. financial institutions) information on who is the real, natural person (a.k.a. beneficial owner) who owns and controls an entity at the point of formation.
Additional provisions include a) outlawing the formation of bearer share corporations and LLCs, and b) requiring that bids for large federal contracts include the beneficial ownership data of the prospective contractors and subcontractors.
