In Episode 5 of AML Uncovered, we sit down with Steve Kircher of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to explore the front lines of securities fraud and financial crime enforcement. Steve shares his path from local police officer to certified fraud examiner—a pivot sparked during the COVID-19 pandemic—and how it led him to prosecuting complex financial cases at the state level. The conversation dives into the critical role that Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) play in building investigations, how state agencies coordinate with federal and local partners, and why smaller businesses often struggle to implement the internal controls needed to prevent fraud.