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Chapter Eight was initially promulgated in 1991. Significantly, although Congress increased a number
of statutory maximum penalties and fines applicable to white collar defendants in the Act, it did not
increase the maximum fines applicable to organizations. As a result, the Commission is reluctant at the
present time to amend the guideline fine provisions for organizations beyond the increases provided by
the operation of the underlying Chapter Two guideline. To do so at this time would jeopardize the
organizational guidelines’ inherent proportionality by disturbing the calibrated relationships among the
fine table, the culpability score, and the statutory maximum fines. Should Congress in its judgement
decide to increase the statutory maximum fine in 18 U.S.C. § 3571, however, the Commission would
be in a better position to reconsider whether adjustments to the fine calculation are warranted.
In addition to fines, other punishments provided for under Chapter Eight include disgorgement
of gains not included in restitution or other court-ordered remedial measures, divestiture of the assets of
organizations found to exist solely for criminal purposes, community service, public notice and
apologies, and probation. See §§8B1.1 (Restitution - Organizations), 8B1.2 (Remedial Orders -
Organizations), 8B1.3 (Community Service - Organizations), 8C2.9 (Disgorgement).
Probation of organizations may extend to five years for felonies, is mandatory in certain
designated circumstances, and may include periodic inspections and audits by officials responsible to
the court (with the costs of such inspections or audits to be paid by the convicted organization).
Organizations sentenced to probation are required to advise the court of any material adverse change in
their business or financial condition, as well as of the prospects of, or commencement of, any
bankruptcy proceeding, major civil litigation, criminal prosecution, administrative proceedings, and
formal inquiries by governmental authorities. In addition, the sentencing guidelines require that any
organization with 50 or more employees that has not implemented a compliance program prior to
sentencing must be placed on probation to ensure the development and implementation of such a
program. See §§8D1.1 (Imposition of Probation - Organizations), 8D1.2 (Term of Probation -
Organizations), 8D1.3 (Conditions of Probation).
C. Deterrence
In order to build upon the many positive developments in the area of deterring organizational
misconduct, in February 2002 the Commission established an ad hoc advisory committee on the
organizational guidelines. The advisory committee comprises nationally recognized experts drawn from
government, private business, and academia, and is chaired by a former United States Attorney. The
Commission has requested this expert committee to review the general effectiveness of the federal
sentencing guidelines for organizations, with a particular emphasis on examining the criteria for an
effective compliance program.
Since its formation, the advisory committee has actively engaged in conducting research and
soliciting public comment on the effectiveness of the organizational guidelines, particularly in the area of
deterrence. This effort has included a well attended, day-long public hearing on November 14, 2002.