EP. 99 | Every Crime Is a Financial Crime: Inside IRS-CI’s Fight Against Illicit Finance with Chief Guy Ficco
Description
What do Al Capone, the Bitfinex hack, and the largest child-exploitation takedown in history have in common? IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) played a defining role in all of them.In the latest episode of TRM Talks, Ari sits down with Chief Guy Ficco — the head of IRS-CI — for a wide-ranging conversation on how one of the smallest federal law-enforcement agencies has become one of the most powerful forces in financial-crime enforcement. Chief Ficco reflects on his 30-year career, from his early days as a field agent in New York to leading global investigations that follow money across borders, blockchains, and criminal ecosystems.The discussion covers IRS-CI’s involvement in major cases, including the Welcome to Video takedown and the largest crypto seizure in US history. Chief Ficco also details the agency’s growing leadership in cryptocurrency investigations, seizure and forfeiture strategy, and public-private partnerships like CI-FIRST and Beacon. He shares candid insights on the risks and opportunities of AI, the evolving threat landscape, and the principles that guide his approach to leadership and modernization.A must-listen episode for anyone interested in the future of financial-crime enforcement — and how IRS-CI is staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated illicit actors.
United States
