10) If a financial institution knowingly withheld or failed to report a suspicious transaction, can the institution be penalized?

  • A financial institution or a regulated business that fails to make a report or comply with a disclosure order commits an offence and is liable upon conviction before a Resident Magistrate Court (now Parish court) to a fine not exceeding $400,000.00
  • A person commits an offence if he fails to disclose information regarding transactions believed to be related to money laundering and is liable on conviction before a parish Court to a fine not exceeding $1m, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.
  • On conviction in a Circuit Court to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both fine and imprisonment