Frequently Asked Questions
UPDATED JULY 31, 2015 - SEE BELOW FOR UPDATED INFORMATION
- What is this about and why are you requesting information?
- Who can submit information?
- What information is the DOJ seeking?
- Is documentation required?
- How can I submit my information?
- Is there a deadline to submit information?
- What happens after I submit information?
UPDATED JULY 31, 2015 - SEE BELOW FOR UPDATED INFORMATION
The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
- What is this about and why are you requesting information?
In July 2014, BNP Paribas S.A. (BNPP), a global financial institution headquartered in Paris, pled guilty to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) by processing billions of dollars of U.S. dollar transactions through the U.S. financial system on behalf of Sudanese, Cuban, and Iranian entities subject to U.S. economic sanctions. The agreement by the French bank to plead guilty is the first time a financial institution has agreed to plead guilty based on large-scale, systematic violations of U.S. economic sanctions.
The plea agreement entered into between BNPP and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (collectively “the Government”), provided that BNPP pay total financial penalties of $8.9736 billion, including forfeiture of $8.8336 billion and a fine of $140 million.
On Friday, May 1, 2015, BNPP was sentenced for conspiracy to commit violations of U.S. sanctions imposed upon Sudan, Cuba, and Iran. The Honorable Lorna B. Schofield also entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $8,833,600,000. The Government, pursuant to the plea agreement, agreed to give BNPP credit for payments made to other entities in connection with its resolutions relating to this conduct. For that reason, the amount transferred to the Government was approximately $3,838,800,000.
DOJ’s remission and restitution processes do not provide for victim compensation for persons who were not directly and proximately harmed by BNPP’s sanctions violations. However, DOJ is exploring ways to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran. In an effort to better understand who may have been harmed by these regimes, DOJ is inviting individuals to provide information describing the nature and value of the harm they suffered. The information collected will assist the Government in determining use of available forfeited funds. The Government’s collection of this information at this time is not a claim and does not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter.
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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- Who can submit information?
The DOJ is requesting information from individuals who suffered harm linked to Sudan, Cuba, and Iran from 2004-2012, the time period relevant to BNPP’s conduct in the case. To the extent individuals may have suffered harm linked to one of these countries outside this time frame, they may provide information and an explanation as to why the harm should be considered.
Anyone, regardless of nationality or citizenship can submit information. The requested information can be submitted by the harmed individual, or an attorney, or a harmed individual’s legal representative. Please note that an attorney is not required and attorney’s fees will not be considered if any distributions occur.
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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- What information is the DOJ seeking?
The DOJ is collecting contact information, the regime allegedly responsible for harm, value and nature of the harm suffered, where and when the harm occurred, and general descriptions of documentation available regarding the harm. Anyone responding must also certify that the information provided is true and accurate. Please visit www.USvBNPP.com and click Information Submission to view the information that is being requested. Please note that the Information Submission is not a claim and does not entitle you to any monies in this matter.
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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- Is documentation required?
Documentation is not requested and will not be reviewed at this time. Only a description of the documentation, such as receipts, judgments, etc., is being requested at this time. If you have suffered harm but are unable to describe the types of documentation you may have, please still complete and submit the information submission.
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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- How can I submit my information?
The DOJ has established a website through which interested parties can provide contact information to ensure they receive notice of any plan for distribution and submit information. You are currently on the website. This is the preferred way to submit your information. Please note that the Information Submission is not a claim and does not entitle you to any monies in this matter.
You can also print and mail the completed form to US v BNPP, c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC, P.O. Box 8060, San Rafael, CA 94912-8060. However, the fastest and most direct way to submit your information is online. Submitting your information online also reduces costs to the Government.
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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- Is there a deadline to submit information?
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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- What happens after I submit information?
After you submit your information, you will receive confirmation of its receipt with an ID number. Please save the ID number for any future communication. The DOJ will collect the information you submitted and it will be used to help determine whether a compensation process is feasible in the future, and to determine appropriate criteria in the event a compensation process is established. Such a decision shall remain solely within the DOJ’s discretion. The contact information you provided will be used to provide you with updates as deemed appropriate by the DOJ.
Update: The Information Submission deadline was JULY 30, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, this website is not able to accept further submissions.
The government is carefully considering the information provided via the website. Information Submissions are not claims and do not entitle anyone to any monies in this matter. If the government establishes a process to use these forfeited funds to compensate individuals harmed by the sanctioned regimes of Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, individuals’ eligibility for participation will not be determined by whether or not an Information Submission was provided. Submitting information during the information gathering process will not be a prerequisite for participation if the government later establishes a claims process.
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