June, 28 2017, 01:30pm EDT
U.S. PIRG Applauds Introduction of Bill to End Anonymous Shell Companies
WASHINGTON
This Wednesday, Representatives Peter King (R-NY) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Corporate Transparency Act. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) also introduced their companion bill, the True Incorporation Transparency for Law Enforcement (TITLE) Act. U.S. PIRG applauds the introduction of these bills, which would put an end to anonymous shell companies in the U.S.
If enacted, these bills would give law enforcement an important tool for investigating a number of crimes that are facilitated by money laundering through anonymous shell companies. The U.S. is the second easiest country in which to incorporate a business without listing the real owners and beneficiaries of the company's operations. In some states, getting a library card requires more identifying information than incorporating a company.
"Consumer scams, defrauding taxpayers, tax evasion, secretive campaign spending, corruption, sanctions evasion, drug trafficking, and human trafficking are all facilitated by anonymous shell companies," said Allie Robins, U.S. PIRG Tax and Budget Associate. "The solution is to simply strike 'anonymous' out of the equation. When criminals can disappear behind a shroud of anonymity to launder their ill-earned money, law enforcement loses the trail and the American people are worse off for it."
U.S. PIRG has worked in conjunction with the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition to advocate for the establishment of a law that would require the government to collect information about the identities of the real, "beneficial" owners of companies operating in the U.S. If enacted, the Corporate Transparency Act would:
- Establish minimum beneficial ownership disclosure requirements that would mandate that a company must provide beneficial owners' names, current addresses, and legal identification upon incorporation.
- Require the Treasury Department to collect beneficial ownership information if a state opts to not enact its own procedures.
- Provide civil penalties for persons who submit false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information, or who fail to provide complete or updated beneficial ownership information.
This solution is supported across the aisle and by small businesses, banks, law enforcement, faith groups, and a number of other organizations and individuals invested deeply in protecting the public from bad actors.
"There is no legitimate business reason for a company to operate anonymously," said Robins. "Enacting the Corporate Transparency Act or the TITLE Act would address a far reaching problem with a simple solution, making Americans safer and sending criminals packing."
U.S. PIRG urges Congress to support this legislation and empower law enforcement to root out some of the shadiest characters operating in the U.S. today.
Click here to read more about crimes and wrongdoing facilitated by anonymous shell companies.
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.
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Trump has picked Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. She has stated that it must be "made unsafe" for hospitals to provide trans care, and frequently shares Libs of TikTok posts. She intends to target trans people in blue states. Subscribe to support my journalism.
[image or embed]
— Erin Reed (@erininthemorning.com) December 10, 2024 at 8:14 AM
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