The United States of Anonymity: How America Became a Financial Secrecy Haven

November 2017

Past Event

The United States of Anonymity: How America Became a Financial Secrecy Haven

Past Event

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562

November 30, 2017

Parts of the Panama Papers displayed in Tokyo, April 26, 2016 (Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

November 2017

Past Event

Washington, DC 20002

Read Transcript

Speakers:

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

United States Senator from Rhode Island

Casey Michel

Contributing Reporter, ThinkProgress and report author, The United States of Anonymity

Jack Blum

Attorney

Elise Bean

Former Staff Director and Chief Counsel, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

Mark Hays

Anti-Money Laundering Campaign Leader, Global Witness

In the past few years, the United States has become one of the world’s leading financial secrecy jurisdictions, allowing a host of kleptocrats and other criminals to hide illicit wealth while threatening our democracy and national security.

On November 30, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave keynote remarks at the launch of a new report from Hudson Institute’s Kleptocracy Initiative, The United States of Anonymity. Written by journalist Casey Michel, the report explores the emergence of anonymous companies and trusts, and argues for a federal solution to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding America’s financial system.

After Sen. Whitehouse’s remarks, Casey Michel presented the key findings of his report, followed by a response from Jack Blum, and a panel discussion moderated by Charles Davidson.

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