; and (B) were closely related to each other as demonstrated by factors such as— (i) the time period between the transactions; (ii) the identity of the parties involved; (iii) the nature or purpose of the transactions; and (iv) the manner in which the transactions were conducted. . 5. Charging money laundering as a course of conduct Section 1956 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (h), by striking or section 1957 and inserting , section 1957, or section 1960 ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (j) Multiple violations Multiple violations of this section that are part of the same scheme or continuing course of conduct may be charged, at the election of the Government, in a single count in an indictment or information. . 6. Illegal money servicesbusinesses (a) In general Section 1960 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following: (a) Offense Whoever knowingly conducts, controls, manages, supervises, directs, or owns all or part of a covered money services business that— (1) is operated without an appropriate license in a State where such operation is punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony under State law, whether or not the person knows that the operation is required to be licensed or that the operation is so punishable; (2) fails to comply with the money services business registration requirements under section 5330 of title 31, or regulations prescribed under that section, whether or not the person knows that the operation is required to comply with those registration requirements; or (3) otherwise engages in a transaction involving funds that the person knows have been derived from a criminal offense or are intended to be used to promote or support unlawful activity, shall be punished as provided in subsection (b). (b) Criminal penalty Any person who violates— (1) subsection (a) shall be fined in accordance with this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both