Former federal prosecutor and banking executive Teresa Pesce, 47, has joined KPMG LLP's Forensic Practice to lead its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) service line, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm has announced.
In addition, she will help direct criminal and regulatory investigations for clients. She is based in New York.
"Terry brings to KPMG more than 15 years of experience in investigating fraud and money laundering," said Richard H. Girgenti, KPMG's national practice leader for Forensic. "Her tremendous financial-services industry and law-enforcement experience will help KPMG to maintain its leadership position in the AML service area, as well as take advantage of a strong market demand for our related services."
Pesce will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the AML practice, in addition to advising clients on conducting internal corporate investigations and assisting with regulatory and law enforcement investigations, such as those involving financial fraud and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Prior to joining KPMG, Pesce was executive vice president and headed the North American anti-money laundering unit for the global financial services company HSBC. In that position, she created new compliance programs, policies and procedures and led the formation of an anti-money laundering function across North America, and was part of a global team that included work in London, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico and the Middle East.
Prior to joining HSBC, Pesce spent 11 years with the U.S. Attorney's office in New York City, where she became chief of the office's Major Crimes Unit and prosecuted white collar, bank fraud, money laundering, wire fraud, tax fraud, investment fraud and computer crimes. During the last four years of her tenure, Pesce was the supervising attorney on all anti-money laundering matters.
Girgenti pointed out that KPMG continues to grow its anti-money laundering unit, announcing in January the addition of two former Internal Revenue Service special agents, James Dowling and Don Temple. "The combined experience, industry depth and global reach of KPMG's anti-money laundering team help us provide superior service to our clients, no matter where they have operations," he said.
Early in her career, Pesce was a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet in the Southern District of New York, and later worked at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as a litigation associate in the firm's general commercial practice, which included securities litigation, environmental law, bankruptcy, criminal appeals, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property.
A frequent public speaker on industry and regulatory issues, Pesce holds several bar admissions, including the New York Appellate Division; U.S. District Courts in the Southern and Eastern districts of New York, and U.S. Courts of Appeal in the Second, Seventh, and Federal circuits.
Pesce received a juris doctorate from Columbia University School of Law, where she was managing editor of the Law Review, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University, with honors in History.