When Fraud is Normalized, Accountability Must Be Loud

Every time we witness an act that enables fraud, waste, and abuse and respond with anything less than a strong stance against it we risk becoming complicit in allowing the injustices they perpetuate to thrive. Our opposition must be persistent. We have a responsibility to uphold the ethical principles we have promoted within ourselves but equally as an integral standard within our profession.

I appreciate and was encouraged by the ACFE’s recent statement on fraud risk and enforcement priorities in the U.S., but the gravity of the issue compelled me to respond with an open letter urging a stronger stance against the dismantling of oversight, erosion of ethical governance, and normalization of fraud at the highest level of U.S. government. While I value ACFE’s response, neutrality in the face of blatant corruption remains deeply concerning.

I understand the importance of the ACFE’s policy of refraining from public political statements, which reflects its respect for diverse member perspectives. However, this issue goes beyond politics. That’s why I’ve asked what steps the ACFE will take to engage its broader membership on this matter. A statement reaffirming support for anti-fraud professionals is not enough, we must actively monitor developments and be prepared to respond as needed.

The latest presidential pardons underscore just how deeply fraud and corruption are being excused, even rewarded. Convicted financial criminals are being absolved, while government oversight agencies are being systematically weakened. This is not justice. This is the normalization of fraud at a level that will have lasting consequences on both domestic and global governance. It will erode trust in institutions and create a chilling effect on accountability efforts worldwide.

I am not afraid to stand alone in this stance, but I know I am not the only one who believes that our commitment to ethics must extend beyond our profession and into the very systems we examine. I encourage all ACFE members and the broader anti-fraud community who share this belief to join this conversation, speak out, and demand integrity in governance. We cannot allow fraud, waste, and abuse to be disguised as anti-fraud efforts, whether foreign or domestic.

I stand by the ethos of my work and welcome respectful, transparent dialogue on this issue. I urge you to read the ACFE’s statement and my open letter, and to critically examine the actions of the United States presidential administration under the pretense of eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. Scrutinize the policies, challenge the narratives, and hold accountable those who weaponize anti-fraud rhetoric to justify unethical governance. Every time we witness an act that enables fraud, waste, and abuse and respond with anything less than a strong stance against it we risk becoming complicit in allowing the injustices they perpetuate to thrive. Our opposition must be persistent. We have a responsibility to uphold the ethical principles we have promoted within ourselves but equally as an integral standard within our profession.

I appreciate and was encouraged by the ACFE’s recent statement on fraud risk and enforcement priorities in the U.S., but the gravity of the issue compelled me to respond with an open letter urging a stronger stance against the dismantling of oversight, erosion of ethical governance, and normalization of fraud at the highest level of U.S. government. While I value ACFE’s response, neutrality in the face of blatant corruption remains deeply concerning.

I understand the importance of the ACFE’s policy of refraining from public political statements, which reflects its respect for diverse member perspectives. However, this issue goes beyond politics. That’s why I’ve asked what steps the ACFE will take to engage its broader membership on this matter. A statement reaffirming support for anti-fraud professionals is not enough, we must actively monitor developments and be prepared to respond as needed.

The latest presidential pardons underscore just how deeply fraud and corruption are being excused, even rewarded. Convicted financial criminals are being absolved, while government oversight agencies are being systematically weakened. This is not justice. This is the normalization of fraud at a level that will have lasting consequences on both domestic and global governance. It will erode trust in institutions and create a chilling effect on accountability efforts worldwide.

I am not afraid to stand alone in this stance, but I know I am not the only one who believes that our commitment to ethics must extend beyond our profession and into the very systems we examine. I encourage all ACFE members and the broader anti-fraud community who share this belief to join this conversation, speak out, and demand integrity in governance. We cannot allow fraud, waste, and abuse to be disguised as anti-fraud efforts, whether foreign or domestic.

I stand by the ethos of my work and welcome respectful, transparent dialogue on this issue. I urge you to read the ACFE’s statement and my open letter, and to critically examine the actions of the United States presidential administration under the pretense of eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. Scrutinize the policies, challenge the narratives, and hold accountable those who weaponize anti-fraud rhetoric to justify unethical governance.

Read the ACFE Statement on fraud risk and enforcement priorities in the U.S.

Download the PDF to read my open letter