DOJ is changing the way it prosecutes companies, and it could put more executives in jail

The crest of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 10, 2021.

A senior official at the Department of Justice said that significant changes are coming to the way federal prosecutors handle white collar criminal cases.

The incentive structure for companies negotiating with the government over cases of corporate wrongdoing is going to be changed. The official said that the government would give credit to companies that came forward with information.

The official said that timeliness for information about key individuals will be a key metric for prosecutors. People could go to jail if the company came forward. The company might avoid a guilty plea.

It will be harder for companies to get non-prosecution agreements. When making decisions about resolutions, prosecutors will look at a company's past conduct.

There was a concern that some companies might view resolutions with the Department of Justice as a cost of doing business and think there was a chance of multiple successive non-prosecution agreements. We are trying to convey a different message.

The executives who commit fraud pay a price, not just the shareholders of the company, when a corporation foots the bill for a fine, according to the DOJ.

Corporate compliance monitors are often tasked with making sure companies stay out of trouble.

The new policies will be announced by the deputy attorney general.