Discussion Groups provide an in-depth discussion of a topic by a small group of invited discussants selected in advance by the Annual Meeting Program Committee. In addition to the invited discussants, additional discussants were selected through a Call for Participation. There will be limited seating for audience members to observe the discussion groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
Federal white collar
fraud statutes in the United States (e.g., securities, mail and wire, and bank
fraud) have increasingly come under attack as exceedingly vague and subject to
prosecutorial abuse. Such vagueness may be a necessary evil given the
demonstrated creativity of white collar criminals, but the legal uncertainty
raises notice concerns and may also have a chilling effect on legitimate market
activity. This Discussion Group will consider these and other concerns
regarding federal fraud statutes and evaluate reforms.