*This will be a combined session with our Environmental Hot Topics Track
Compliance failures rarely start with bad intent. They start with blind spots-misreading what regulators prioritize, understanding what provokes scrutiny, and overlooking when a routine issue can escalate into a criminal case. Too often, that gap turns into costly corrective action, enforcement penalties, delayed permits, reputational harm, and, in the worst cases, indictments.
This session pairs two perspectives to close that gap. A former environmental regulator will explain the patterns behind approvals and enforcement: what raises red flags; how permits, reports, and corrective actions plans are actually evaluated; and how documentation, sampling plans, and communications can either build credibility or invite enforcement.
A second presenter – former U.S. Attorney – will address criminal liability exposure – what facts convert a civil matter into a criminal investigation, how intent is proven, and where false statements, data manipulation, and certification errors create personal liability. The presentation will break down how executives and operators should approach signing certifications, what diligence is expected, and how to respond to incidents, subpoenas, and interviews without amplifying risk.
The session offers practical tips that you can use immediately. You will leave with a candid view of regulator priorities, examples of effective agency engagement, and a signer’s certification protocol that reduces false-statement risk. The result is a strategy to turn compliance into a competitive advantage with smoother inspections and faster approvals, and a stronger compliance culture that keeps civil matters civil – and out of the criminal lane.