Regulatory Capture
When the agencies meant to regulate an industry instead serve that industry’s interests. Look at one agency in detail, or compare every tracked agency at once.
Federal department responsible for criminal and civil enforcement, including white-collar crime, antitrust, and financial fraud prosecution. Deferred prosecution agreements with major corporations have been criticized as regulatory capture.
Leadership & revolving door
Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Indiana, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Virgin Islands, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Maine, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General Criminal Division, Criminal Division (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District, Wisconsin, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, West Virginia, Southern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Idaho, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Tennessee, Middle District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Idaho, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General Civil Division, Civil Division (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Louisiana, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Montana, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Pennsylvania, Middle District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, South Carolina, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Middle District, North Carolina, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, New York, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District, Alabama, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General (Economics), Antitrust Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, District of South Carolina, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Oklahoma, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation, acting) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal District of Maryland, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Oklahoma, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General National Fraud Enforcement Division, National Fraud Enforcement Division (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District, Washington, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, North Dakota, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy, Office of Legal Policy (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District, Mississippi, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Minnesota, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, South Dakota, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Wyoming, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal District New Mexico, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Louisiana, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District, Illinois, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Western District, Tennessee, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District, Tennessee, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Pennsylvania, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Maine, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Ohio, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Middle District, Tennessee, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Ohio, Southern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Pardon Attorney, Office of the Pardon Attorney (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Director, Office of Public Affairs, Office of Public Affairs (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District, Louisiana, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, New Hampshire, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Guam/northern Mariana Islands, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Director, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Tennessee, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Director, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Kentucky, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Arkansas, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Nevada, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Chief of Staff and White House Liaison, Office of the Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District, North Carolina, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Illinois, Central District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights, Civil Rights Division (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Principal Deputy Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Senior Counselor to the Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Correctional Program Officer, Federal Bureau of Prisons (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, North Carolina, Middle District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Mississippi, Southern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, District of Minnesota, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Florida, Southern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, District of Columbia, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Michigan, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Associate Attorney General, Office of the Associate Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Florida, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Oklahoma, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Chief of Staff and Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Utah, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Arkansas Western District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Wisconsin, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Colorado, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Louisiana, Middle District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District of Illinois, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Iowa, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Nebraska, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Director Human Resources Management Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District, Mississippi, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District, Alabama, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, West Virginia, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Utah, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Chief of Staff and Deputy Associate Attorney General, Office of the Associate Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District, Ohio, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, North Dakota, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District of Michigan, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Partner at Ballard Partners lobbying firm between serving as Florida AG and US AG
Assistant Attorney General (Legislative Affairs), Office of Legislative Affairs (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission Member, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Director National Institute of Corrections, Federal Bureau of Prisons (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District of Ohio, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Alabama, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District of Florida, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Counselor, Office of the Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Missouri, Western District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Superior Court, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Alaska, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District, Iowa, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Oklahoma, Western District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Kansas, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, South Dakota, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, North Carolina, Western District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Kansas, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Texas, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Nebraska, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Mississippi, Northern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Alabama, Southern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Director, Office of Information Policy, Office of Information Policy (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Guam, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Associate Attorney General, Office of the Associate Attorney General (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Pennsylvania, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Eastern District, Missouri, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District of California, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District of Texas, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission Member, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, North Carolina, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District, Iowa, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Missouri, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District of Georgia, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Assistant Attorney General Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Counsel (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Alabama, Middle District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Southern District of Texas, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Indiana, Southern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Northern District, Indiana, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Western District, Tennessee, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal Eastern District of New York, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Middle District of Florida, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, North Carolina, Eastern District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Middle District, Louisiana, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons (non-career Senior Executive Service) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Puerto Rico, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Marshal, Puerto Rico, United States Marshals Service (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
No industry connections recorded yet.
United States Attorney, Louisiana, Western District, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) source
No industry connections recorded yet.
Dismissed enforcement actions
DOJ declined to pursue criminal charges against multiple corporate executives despite evidence of fraud
Industry contacts
Indicators tracked
What is regulatory capture
Regulatory capture occurs when a regulatory agency, created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial or political concerns of the industry it is charged with regulating. The concept was formalized by economist George Stigler in his 1971 paper “The Theory of Economic Regulation,” for which he later received the Nobel Prize.
The academic literature identifies several predictable consequences of capture. Enforcement actions decline in frequency and severity. Rule-making increasingly favors incumbent firms over new entrants and consumers. Personnel move freely between the regulator and the regulated (the “revolving door”). Industry representatives dominate advisory panels and public comment processes.
Further reading
Stigler, G. J. (1971). “The Theory of Economic Regulation.” Bell Journal of Economics and Management Science, 2(1), 3-21.
Peltzman, S. (1976). “Toward a More General Theory of Regulation.” Journal of Law and Economics, 19(2), 211-240.
Carpenter, D. & Moss, D. A. (2013). “Preventing Regulatory Capture.” Cambridge University Press.
Kwak, J. (2013). “Cultural Capture and the Financial Crisis.” In Preventing Regulatory Capture, Cambridge University Press.