Bribe, Swindle or Steal Podcast
@bribeswindlepod.bsky.social
The weekly podcast on financial crime. đź’°đź’¸ Hosted by Alexandra Addison-Wrage @alexandrawrage.bsky.social and brought to you by TRACE @trace-inc.bsky.social
In this 2018 episode, Carrie Cohen explains the regulatory and compliance implications of blockchain-enabled technology, including cryptocurrency. traceinternational.org/podcast
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Carrie Cohen of Morrison Foerster explains the regulatory and compliance implications of blockchain-enabled technology, including cryptocurrency.
traceinternational.org
In this 2020 episode, Sarah Chayes discusses her book: "On Corruption in America and What is at Stake". She takes us from the myth of King Midas through to the present in a lively history of corruption and then leaves listeners with a detailed call to action. buff.ly/aOAiLBf
“On Corruption in America”
Sarah Chayes discusses her book: On Corruption in America and What is at Stake. She takes us from the myth of King Midas through to the present in a lively history of corruption and then leaves listeners with a detailed call to action.
traceinternational.org
In this 2021 episode, Duncan Smith former Deputy Head of Investigations at the European Investment Bank, discusses his book and explores the unique role of multilateral development banks, the progress made in strengthening integrity and the consequences of getting it wrong. buff.ly/MXohTLp
"Promoting Integrity in the Work of International Organisations"
Duncan Smith of the European Investment Bank joins the podcast to discuss his book: Promoting Integrity in the Work of International Organisations: Minimising Fraud and Corruption in Projects. He discusses the unique role of multinational development banks, the progress that remains and the cost of getting it wrong.
traceinternational.org
In this 2019 episode, bestselling author Rich Cohen explores the story of Albert Hicks, the notorious underworld figure he describes as the “missing link” between American pirates and gangsters.
The Last Pirate of New York
Bestselling author, Rich Cohen, describes the “missing link” between American pirates and gangsters: underworld legend and notorious criminal, Albert Hicks. Rich also makes clear how far law enforcement has come since the days of Hicks’ many gruesome crimes.
traceinternational.org
In this 2024 episode, retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell discusses the independent review he was commissioned to undertake of Hockey Canada’s organizational structure following a sexual assault scandal that shook confidence in the sport. buff.ly/EgAF7PI
Hockey Canada’s Governance Review
Retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell joins the podcast to describe the review he was commissioned to undertake of Hockey Canada’s organizational structure in the aftermath of a sexual assault scandal that shook confidence in the sport in 2018.
traceinternational.org
With the FIFA World Cup underway, revisit this 2018 episode featuring Sebastian Abbot, author of "The Away Game". He explores Qatar's search for soccer's next superstars and the lesser-known realities behind international talent recruitment. Listen now: buff.ly/rfJJfyH
Football Dreams
Sebastian Abbot, author of “The Away Game; The Epic Search for Soccer’s Next Superstars,” talks about Qatar and the biggest soccer talent search in history, as well as the darker side of recruiting for the sport.
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In this 2022 episode, Leah Ambler discusses why whistleblower protections are essential to combating corruption, and the challenges of strengthening them without comprehensive legislation. buff.ly/0otRaok
Whistleblower Protections
Leah Ambler, Director, Corruption Prevention at the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity and former Legal Analyst at the OECD, joins the podcast—in her personal capacity—to discuss her excellent chapter on Whistleblower Protections. Leah discusses the importance of whistleblower protections to reducing corruption and the challenges inherent in these protections in the absence of comprehensive, harmonized legislation.
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In this 2022 episode, Patrick Alley, co-founder of Global Witness and author, discusses the early days of his Global Witness investigations, how the organization built momentum and where the fight against corruption should focus next. buff.ly/hZGMCKN
"Very Bad People"
Patrick Alley, co-founder of Global Witness and author of Very Bad People: The Inside Story of the Fight Against the World’s Network of Corruption, joins the podcast to discuss the early days of his Global Witness investigations, how their efforts gained momentum and where we should be focusing our attention next.
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How can you tell fact from fiction in today's information landscape? In this 2024 episode, Melissa Goldin, News Verification Reporter and Editor at The Associated Press, discusses how misinformation spreads and how journalists verify information and debunk fake news. buff.ly/6purijc
Promoting Facts and Countering Disinformation
Melissa Goldin, a NY-based News Verification Reporter and Editor with The Associated Press analyzes and debunks fake news.
lnkd.in
With the Emmy Awards this week and TRACE-funded documentary "Bribe, Inc." nominated for a 2026 News & Documentary Emmy, we revisit this 2017 episode featuring Lindsey Mitchell, who shares his first-hand account of finding himself at the center of the Unaoil bribery scandal. buff.ly/aM1AwbB
After You Pay a Bribe: Lindsey Mitchell
Listen to the riveting first-hand story of a Unaoil executive who found himself at the center of a bribery scheme.
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In this 2024 episode, Diana Henriques, award-winning journalist and author, discusses the traits of fraudsters and the growing menace of reputation laundering. lnkd.in/efre3Q9R
Diana Henriques on Reputation Laundering
Diana Henriques, award-winning journalist and author, discusses the traits of fraudsters and the menace of reputation laundering.
lnkd.in
How do people convince themselves that misconduct is okay? In this 2017 episode, Shaul Shalvi, Professor of Behavioral Ethics at the University of Amsterdam, explains the psychology behind how individuals justify unethical behavior. www.traceinternational.org/resources-po...
How Criminals Justify Their Conduct
Shaul Shalvi, Professor of Behavioral Ethics at the University of Amsterdam, describes how people convince themselves that their misconduct is okay.
traceinternational.org
In this 2017 episode, Nick McKenzie shares the inside story of exposing the Unaoil scandal. You can hear more about the Unaoil scandal from those who helped uncover it in "Bribe, Inc.", the TRACE-funded documentary recently nominated for an Emmy. bribeinc.com Listen now: buff.ly/PJhKL7R
The Unaoil Story
Nick McKenzie, award-winning Australian investigative journalist, shares the inside story of his role in exposing the Unaoil scandal.
traceinternational.org
What draws people to power—and how does it change them? In this 2022 episode, Brian Klaas, Associate Professor at UCL and host of “Power Corrupts”, discusses his book “Corruptible” and explores who is drawn to power—and how it can reshape behavior, even rewiring our brains.
"Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How it Changes Us"
Brian Klaas, Associate Professor at University College London and host of the award-winning podcast “Power Corrupts,” joins us to discuss his book “Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us”. Brian describes research on who is drawn to positions of power and how power impacts us, including potentially re-wiring our brains.
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Ahead of the TRACE London Forum next month, revisit this 2025 session with Charles Duross on DOJ self-disclosure policies, enforcement incentives and one of compliance’s toughest calls. www.traceinternational.org/resources-po... Learn more about the 2026 TRACE London Forum: buff.ly/PcGDNLv
Brass Tacks: Would You Call the Government to Make a Disclosure Today? If So, Why?
At the 2025 TRACE Annapolis Forum, Chuck Duross, Global Co-Chair of the FCPA and Global Anti-Corruption Practice at Morrison Foerster, discusses the DOJ’s evolving voluntary self-disclosure policies and the balance of risks and rewards for companies. From increased incentives under the 2025 Corporate Enforcement Policy to the challenges of parallel investigations, Charles explores what drives the decision to self-disclose and why it remains one of the toughest calls in compliance today.
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As the OECD Anti-Corruption Forum takes place this week in Paris, revisit this 2025 TRACE Forum episode with Nicola Bonucci, former OECD Director for Legal Affairs, on 25 years of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention—and what it means for enforcement and global scrutiny today. buff.ly/km2ra6A
Where’s the Cavalry: Global Anti-Corruption Efforts
At the 2025 TRACE Annapolis Forum, Nicola Bonucci, Associate Professor at Paris Cité and former General Counsel of the OECD, reflects on 25 years of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and the evolving challenges of global enforcement. From uncertainties around FCPA guidance, political influence, and uneven implementation, to questions about the U.S.’s continued leadership in anti-bribery efforts, Nicola highlights the risks companies face in an increasingly unpredictable landscape—where cross-border investigations, bribe solicitation, and public scrutiny are on the rise.
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In this 2021 episode, Joel Bakan, author and professor at UBC, discusses his books and the films based on them, and explores the tension between ESG commitments and the legal obligation for companies to maximize shareholder value. buff.ly/yktU1SD
The New Corporation: How Good Corporations are Bad for Democracy
Joel Bakan joins the podcast to discuss his books, and the films based on them. He outlines the fundamental conflict inherent in companies ostensibly committed to ESG principles while simultaneously driven by a legal requirement to maximize shareholder value.
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In this 2023 episode, Michael Forsythe, co-author with Walt Bogdanich of "When McKinsey Comes to Town," discusses McKinsey & Company’s work with autocratic regimes, its persistent conflicts of interest, and the gap between its stated values and its actions on the ground. buff.ly/piDMxei
“When McKinsey Comes to Town”
Michael Forsythe, co-author with Walt Bogdanich of “When McKinsey Comes to Town”, joins the podcast to talk about McKinsey’s work in support of autocratic regimes, its rampant conflicts of interest and the distance between its stated values and its work on the ground.
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In anticipation of the TRACE London Forum, 13–14 May, we’re resharing our episode featuring Oliver Bullough at the 2022 London Forum. Oliver examines the UK’s role in financial crime, accountability efforts, transparency debates, and lawsuits used to silence journalists. buff.ly/UwYTpkB
Oliver Bullough at the TRACE London Forum
Speaking at the 2022 TRACE London Forum, Oliver Bullough, author of Butler to the World, discusses the UK’s role as an enabler of financial crime, efforts toward accountability, the balance between transparency and privacy, and the weaponization of lawsuits in British courts to silence journalists.
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Continuing the Olympic conversation, this 2018 episode revisits the state-sponsored Russian doping scandal that shook international sport. Richard Conway of SPECTACLE and former BBC Sport correspondent explores what it exposed about global sports governance and credibility. buff.ly/UwYTpkB
Doping at the Olympics: Richard Conway
Richard Conway, Managing Partner at SPECTACLE, and former BBC Sport correspondent, describes the vast state-sponsored Russian doping scandal and how the credibility of global sports is being undermined.
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As Olympic competition takes center stage, it’s worth examining the risks to fair play behind the scenes. In this 2017 episode, Declan Hill breaks down match-fixing, how games get manipulated, and what it takes to keep sport from turning into scripted entertainment. buff.ly/UJ74oTp
The Corrupt Underbelly of Sport: Declan Hill
Podcast · Alexandra Wrage · Alexandra Wrage, president of TRACE, interviews luminaries in the field of financial crime, including bribery, fraud, money-laundering, insider trading and sanctions. …
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With the 2026 TRACE London Forum (13–14 May) on the horizon, we’re resharing our episode featuring Leonid Volkov, who spoke at the 2022 London Forum. Leonid discusses corruption in Putin’s Russia, the impact of sanctions, and the toll that rampant corruption has taken on the country. buff.ly/UJ74oTp
Corruption, Sanctions and Putin’s War Regime
Podcast · Alexandra Wrage · Alexandra Wrage, president of TRACE, interviews luminaries in the field of financial crime, including bribery, fraud, money-laundering, insider trading and sanctions. …
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As we look ahead to the 2026 TRACE London Forum, 13–14 May, we’re resharing our episode featuring a conversation with Sir William Browder, KCMG at the 2022 London Forum. Bill shares insights on his book, "Freezing Order" and his pursuit of accountability and justice. 🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/yCS55PQ
Bill Browder at the TRACE London Forum
Explores the world of financial crime—corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions through interviews with experts in the field.
traceinternational.org
As anticipation builds for the upcoming Winter Olympics, sports governance and integrity are back in focus. In this 2024 episode, Sally Dennis discusses the professionalization of sports governance, where challenges remain—and why rugby may be uniquely resistant to match fixing. buff.ly/CsD24yK
Rugby, Amateur Sports and the Paris Olympics!
Business News Podcast · Updated Weekly · Alexandra Wrage, president of TRACE, interviews luminaries in the field of financial crime, including bribery, fraud, money-laundering, insider trading and…
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We’re reposting our 2018 episode with investigative reporter and author Ken Bensinger, who unpacks decades of FIFA misconduct. Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/7752... Have you checked out this BriberyMatters blog on the recent FIFA case dismissal? www.briberymatters.com/post/after-w...
In this episode from the 2025 TRACE Forum, Misti Mukherjee of Extensio Law and Debra Joy PĂ©rez of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) discuss evolving DEI expectations, share evidence-based recommendations, and highlight why DEI must be central to compliance programs. Listen now: buff.ly/PMLw2qh
NEW Episode on TRACE Podcast: "Bribe, Swindle or Steal":
Explores the world of financial crime—corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions through interviews with experts in the field.
traceinternational.org
At the 2025 TRACE Forum, Gordon McKechnie of Canadian Bank Note examines the changing dynamics of U.S./Canada relations—from shifting trade priorities and diverging foreign policies to the promise of cooperation through shared resources. Listen now: www.traceinternational.org/resources-po...
NEW Episode on TRACE Podcast: "Bribe, Swindle or Steal": U.S.-Canada Relations: Undefended Border or Deepening Divide?
Explores the world of financial crime—corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions through interviews with experts in the field.
traceinternational.org
At the 2025 TRACE Forum, Kirk Foster of HII discusses how businesses can navigate evolving risks and strengthen compliance through Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Learn how ERM can drive smarter decisions, increase efficiency, reduce redundancy, and support business growth.
NEW Episode on TRACE Podcast: "Bribe, Swindle or Steal": Redrawing the Risk Map: Evolving Business Threats and Due Diligence in Uncertain Markets
Explores the world of financial crime—corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions through interviews with experts in the field.
traceinternational.org
At the 2025 TRACE Forum, Chuck Duross of Morrison Foerster unpacks the DOJ’s evolving voluntary self-disclosure policies—from the FCPA Pilot Program to the 2025 Corporate Enforcement Policy. What are the real risks and rewards of self-disclosure today? Listen now: buff.ly/l1T5oHt
NEW Episode on TRACE Podcast: "Bribe, Swindle or Steal": Brass Tacks: Would You Call the Government to Make a Disclosure Today? If So, Why?
Explores the world of financial crime—corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions through interviews with experts in the field.
traceinternational.org
At the recent 2025 TRACE Forum, Billy Jacobson explores the DOJ’s shifting FCPA priorities—from its focus on “grand corruption” to prosecutorial uncertainty and statutes of limitation. In today’s unpredictable environment, what should companies expect, and how can they prepare? buff.ly/p6kR3fd
NEW Episode on TRACE Podcast: "Bribe, Swindle or Steal": DOJ’s FCPA Docket: What’s Been Closed, What Continues and What Might That Tell Us for the Next Several Years?
Explores the world of financial crime—corruption, fraud, money laundering and sanctions through interviews with experts in the field.
traceinternational.org