Page 625 - ACFE Fraud Reports 2009_2020

FIG. 43 How often is litigation pursued against occupational Results of Criminal or Civil Litigation
fraud perpetrators? We also asked respondents about the

results of any litigation pursued; this
69%
data is shown in Figures 44 and 45. On
65%
64% the criminal side, most cases that were
61%
59% referred to law enforcement ended in a
58%
plea agreement or a conviction at trial
(73% combined). If a case referred to law
enforcement did not end in a conviction,
it was most likely because law enforce-
Referred to law enforcement ment declined to prosecute (18%). The
results suggest that once law enforce-
ment decides that it will proceed with
prosecution, it has an overwhelming
24% chance of securing a conviction; only 1%
22% 23% 22% 23% 23% of defendants obtained an acquittal.

In addition, more than half of judg-
ments in civil suits were favorable to
Civil suit filed victims, with an additional 27% of cases
being settled. Perpetrators obtained a
favorable judgment in only 15% of civil
cases that went to trial.
2010
2012
2008
2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
2018
2016
2014
FIG. 44 What were the results of criminal referrals? FIG. 45 What were the results of civil suits?

53%
53%

27%
20%
18%
15%
7%
5%
1%

Pleaded Convicted Declined Other Acquitted Judgment Settled Judgment Other
guilty/no at trial to prosecute for victim for perpetrator
contest

Case Results Report to the Nations 49