By Alisha Houlihan for AMLi
THE HEAD of the United States’ IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is to speak at the ‘European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2024’ in Dublin on May 16, it was announced today.
Chief Jim Lee was one of the federal law enforcement leaders who played an active role in bringing Binance chief Changpeng Zhao to justice.
“When you put growth above compliance, you end up in hot water. Our team of investigators uncovered that Binance disregarded anti-money laundering Know Your Customer laws, failed to register as a money transmitter, and willfully violated U.S. sanctions tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,” Lee said at the press conference with the US Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General.
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Paschal Donohoe TD, Eurogroup President
- Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Finance, Ireland
- Dr Marcus Pleyer, DDG, German Finance Ministry
- Artie McConnell, AAG, US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York
- Seana Cunningham, Director Enforcement & AML, Central Bank of Ireland
- Det Chief Supt Michael Gubbins, Commander, Criminal Assets Bureau
- Suzanne Gunn, Head of Economic, Transnational & Organised Crime Policy, Department of Justice
- Lauren Kohr, Head of PPPs, CRS-CI
- Aaron Elliot-Gross, Partner & Group Head, Financial Crime & Fraud, Revolut
- Aamir Hanif, Regional VP, AML & Compliance, Western Union
- Carol Lawton, Head of Financial Crime, Allied Irish Bank
- Karyn Kenny, AML & Metaverse SME, Attorney Advisor, DOJ
- Ilze Znotina, AML expert and AMLi Columnist, former Director, FIU, Latvia
Chief Lee is responsible for overseeing a worldwide staff of nearly 2,900 IRS-CI employees, including 2,000 special agents in 21 Field Offices and 11 countries who investigate crimes involving money laundering, terrorist financing, tax, corruption, cyber, ID theft and narcotics crimes.
In November Chief Lee received the 2023 Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive (SES) Recipient from President Joe Biden. The award is among the most esteemed recognitions in career civil service.
The ‘European Anti-Financial Crime Summit 2024’ takes place at the RDS Convention Centre in central Dublin on May 16. It will hear from the top global speakers on AFC, FCC and AML. Dr Marcus Pleyer (FATF President 2020-2022) described this year’s summit, attended by more than 400 delegates, as “the event of the year.”
IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) serves the American public by investigating potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes in a manner that fosters confidence in the tax system and compliance with the law.
Chief Lee began his IRS Criminal Investigation career in 1995 and joins the stellar line-up of global AFC leaders for the upcoming May summit.
In 2003, James ascended to the role of Supervisory Special Agent in the New Orleans Field Office, Baton Rouge Post of Duty.
By 2006, James transitioned to the role of Headquarters Senior Analyst in the International Section, contributing to the Headquarters Financial Crimes Section.
His career advanced in 2008 when he became the Assistant Special Agent In Charge in the Boston Field Office, managing operations in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
In 2010, he accepted the role of Special Agent In Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s New Orleans Field Office, responsible for Louisiana and Mississippi. His trajectory continued in 2013 as the Special Agent In Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Chicago Field Office, entering the Senior Executive Service.
By 2015, James took on the role of Director of Strategy within IRS Criminal Investigation, overseeing critical program areas and fostering collaboration within the organization and with IRS counterparts. James holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Tiffin University.
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