Gregory C. Lisa
Senior Counsel Global Regulatory
Washington, D.C.
New York
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Gregory Lisa uses his extensive firsthand experience in anti-money laundering and consumer protection to help clients navigate the complex regulations and expectations of regulators, exam teams, and law enforcement agencies, civil and criminal. If those investigations turn into enforcement actions or litigation, Greg draws on his background as a former federal prosecutor and enforcement attorney to defend his clients. In Legal 500, clients recognize his "sharp intellect and regulatory expertise," Chambers lists him as a "notable practitioner" for FinTech, and Who's Who Legal recognizes him as a Global Leader in Fintech.
In addition to working with financial institutions such as banks, casinos, and money services businesses, he represents and counsels financial services innovators, including those in emerging payment and finance systems, virtual currency, and other new financial services companies, particularly in FinTech.
Before joining the firm, Greg was the Interim Director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the Treasury Department's lead regulator for overseeing anti-money laundering laws. In his tenure, he supervised and conducted various investigations, supervisory exams, and enforcement actions across FinCEN's broad jurisdiction, including depository institutions, global securities firms, casinos, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other institutions.
Prior to his work at FinCEN, he served in the Office of Enforcement at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). As one of its earliest members, having joined before the actual formation of the CFPB, he helped to "stand up" the Bureau's enforcement program. Prior to the Bureau, he served for 12 years in the U.S. Department of Justice, first in the Civil Division as a Trial Attorney, and then for almost 10 years as a federal prosecutor in the Organized Crime Section, investigating and prosecuting RICO, money laundering, and other illicit finance cases.
Representative experience
Obtained favorable settlement – with minimal fine, no industry bar, and no admission of liability – in case brought by the SEC against founder & owner of major cryptocurrency platform.
Advised a casino regarding compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, know-your-customer requirements, and suspicious activity reporting requirements.
Represented a casino in an investigation by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), obtaining complete closure of the agency's investigation without penalties or findings of liability.
Drafted anti-money laundering compliance programs and policies for various gaming-related institutions, including major commercial and tribal casinos and online sportsbook operators.
Counseling a foreign financial institution regarding the applicability of U.S. anti-money laundering regulations to its business practices.
Represented cryptocurrency startup company before state financial services regulator, resulting in agency's concurrence that its regulations did not apply and complete closure of its inquiry.
Advising a casino regarding a "look-back" involving potentially suspicious transactions, concerns regarding customers' source of funds, and transaction monitoring issues.
Counseled a multinational, publicly traded manufacturer, with a presence on six continents, regarding trade-based money laundering and payments issues.
Representing an e-commerce company in responding to multiple regulatory inquiries relating to AML and money transmission regulatory compliance issues.
Advising a foreign private bank regarding anti-money laundering issues relating to its customers' source of funds.
Represented major FinTech company in investigation by Office of Foreign Assets Control for potential sanctions compliance issues, resulting in a "no-action" letter from OFAC.
Investigated and prosecuted the first civil enforcement action for Bank Secrecy Act violations ever brought against a virtual currency company.*
Supervised every civil enforcement action brought by FinCEN for BSA violations against banks, securities broker/dealers, casinos, and other financial institutions.*
*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.
Credentials
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, 1996
- M.A., University of Pennsylvania, cum laude, 1993
- B.A., Georgetown University, cum laude, 1990
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- Member, Advisory Committee of the Institute for Certified Gaming Industry Professionals