No Corporate Crooks Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 3, 2025
Bottom line
The 'No Corporate Crooks Act' aims to bar former CEOs with convictions for specified financial and corporate crimes from holding executive branch positions.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits any individual who has served as a chief executive officer (CEO) and been convicted of certain 'covered crimes' from being appointed to a position in the executive branch of the U.S. government. If such an individual is found to be in violation, they would be removed from their executive branch service or employment. The covered crimes include bribery, copyright infringement, corruption, cybercrime, embezzlement, fraud, insider trading, wage theft, and tax evasion.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that individuals who have demonstrated a lack of integrity and committed serious corporate or financial crimes should not be entrusted with positions of public trust within the executive branch. They contend that this measure would help restore public confidence in government by ensuring that federal officials uphold the highest ethical standards, preventing those who have abused corporate power from wielding governmental authority.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that existing vetting processes for executive branch appointments are sufficient to identify and exclude unsuitable candidates, making this bill potentially redundant or overly broad. Some could also contend that a blanket prohibition based on past convictions, without considering the nature of the role or the time elapsed since conviction, could unduly limit the pool of qualified candidates or raise questions about rehabilitation.
The bill is exceptionally short and clear, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 2(a)(1)
Ineligibility for Executive Branch Appointment
This provision establishes that any person who previously served as a chief executive officer (CEO) of an entity and was definitively convicted of a 'covered crime' cannot be appointed to any position within the executive branch of the United States government. This creates a clear legal barrier for individuals with specific corporate criminal histories to hold federal executive roles.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue this provision is essential for maintaining public trust and integrity in government. They believe that individuals who have led corporations into criminal activity should not then be allowed to lead government agencies or hold other sensitive federal positions, as their past actions demonstrate a clear conflict with public service ethics.
Critics contend
Opponents might argue that this provision could be overly broad, potentially excluding individuals who have served their time and been rehabilitated, or that existing background checks already address such concerns. They may also question the definition of 'chief executive officer' and 'entity' and how it would be applied across diverse organizational structures.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire to ensure high ethical standards in government with potential concerns about the scope of disqualification and the practicalities of vetting and enforcement across various types of past convictions and corporate roles.
Section 2(a)(2)
Definition of 'Covered Crime'
This section explicitly defines the list of offenses that would trigger the ineligibility for executive branch service. The 'covered crimes' include bribery, copyright infringement, corruption, cybercrime, embezzlement, fraud, insider trading, wage theft, and tax evasion. This precise enumeration clarifies the specific types of criminal convictions that the bill targets.