Texas Public Corruption Attorney (Serving DFW, Houston & All of Texas)

We Defend Government Officials and Other Clients Accused of Federal Public Corruption in Texas

Federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials are targeting public officials, political candidates, business leaders, and other individuals suspected of public corruption in Texas. Public corruption investigations carry substantial risks—including the risk of criminal prosecution—so an informed, strategic, and proactive defense is critical.

Our firm represents elected and appointed officials as well as political candidates, political operatives, and other clients that are under federal investigation and facing federal charges for public corruption and bribery in Texas. Each public corruption defense attorney at our firm has extensive experience in this area, and our defense team provides proactive legal representation focused on protecting our clients’ interests as quickly and quietly as possible.  

From public servants to party officials, all individuals accused of public corruption, election fraud, and other similar types of offenses can face steep penalties—including criminal penalties in many cases. But, even facing allegations can threaten public servants’ and candidates’ ability to run for public office, and this makes it critical to target a confidential out-of-court resolution whenever possible. Our defense attorneys rely on their experience and insights to effectively challenge the government’s allegations at the investigative stage; and, while we help our clients settle with the federal government when necessary, we focus on closing our clients’ investigations without further consequences whenever possible.

Public Corruption Charges Require Experienced Federal Defense Counsel

At Oberheiden PC, we have extensive experience on both sides of federal public corruption cases. Our defense team includes former federal prosecutors, federal agents, and appointed officials, and we have a proven track record of successful representation in these high-stakes matters. If you have been accused of public corruption or bribery, this is the level of experience you need on your side.

Once you get in touch, we will arrange a confidential consultation with one of our senior attorneys right away. If you choose to engage our firm to represent you, we will get to work building a vigorous defense immediately.

Cases We Handle

We represent elected officials, candidates, and other clients in all types of federal corruption cases. We serve as defense counsel for other types of federal cases as well. Representative examples of our practice areas include:

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is the primary federal law governing the bribery of public officials. However, the FCPA is also much broader than many people—including many government officials and government employees—realize. As the US Department of Justice (DOJ) explains:

“Since 1977, the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA have applied to all U.S. persons and certain foreign issuers of securities. With the enactment of certain amendments in 1998, the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA now also apply to foreign firms and persons who cause, directly or through agents, an act in furtherance of such a corrupt payment to take place within the territory of the United States. . . . The FCPA also requires companies whose securities are listed in the United States to meet its accounting provisions.”

The DOJ is one of multiple federal agencies that have a hand in enforcing FCPA compliance, and allegations of noncompliance can land government officials and other individuals in federal court. In these cases, it takes a skilled defense attorney to assess the specific allegations at hand and formulate a comprehensive and cohesive defense strategy.

Other Federal Bribery Offenses

Along with the FCPA, multiple other federal laws make it illegal to offer or accept bribes—whether under government contracts, through the misuse of public funds, or otherwise. For example, federal prosecutors will often pursue charges for honest services fraud in these cases. Honest services fraud is a serious federal offense that carries substantial fines and federal prison time.

Campaign Finance Violations and Election Fraud

In many cases, public corruption allegations and allegations of campaign finance violations or election fraud will go hand-in-hand. Here too, federal prosecutors can pursue charges in a wide range of circumstances, including circumstances involving improper payments made with private and federal funds. Similar to FCPA violations and honest services fraud, campaign finance violations and election fraud carry severe penalties, and avoiding serious legal consequences requires a strong defense at every stage of the legal process.

Securities Fraud and Commodities Fraud

Securities fraud and commodities fraud allegations often go hand-in-hand with public corruption allegations as well. Federal prosecutors can use multiple statutes to pursue charges in these cases, including the FCPA, the Securities Exchange Act, and the Dodd-Frank Act, among others. From relying on confidential financial records for personal benefit to buying event contracts based on inside knowledge of local officials’ campaigns, the DOJ pursues a wide range of allegations in these cases.

Bank Fraud and Other Financial Crimes

Bribes to influence official acts, campaign finance violations, and other forms of public corruption will often implicate the federal bank fraud statute and other federal financial criminal statutes as well. These statutes also impose substantial penalties; and, when targeted for these crimes, it can be critical to target a favorable resolution before the DOJ issues a grand jury subpoena to start the indictment process.

Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Other Federal Offenses

Public corruption investigations can also lead to charges for wire fraud, money laundering, and a variety of other federal offenses. Executing an effective defense strategy requires a comprehensive understanding of the prosecution’s evidence and the charges that are on the table. Regardless of the circumstances at hand, our defense team can work to convince the DOJ that it does not have sufficient admissible evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

How Our Firm Can Help

Defending against federal public corruption allegations requires an informed, strategic, and proactive defense. Here are just some of the ways our firm can help:

1. Intervening in the Government’s Investigation

Public corruption cases can involve multiple federal and state agencies. They often involve parallel investigations by federal agencies like the FBI and DOJ as well as state law enforcement authorities like the Texas Rangers. Regardless of the agencies involved, our attorneys can intervene in the government’s investigation and protect you throughout the process.

2. Conducting an Attorney-Client Privileged Risk Assessment

Public corruption changes can lead to decades of sentencing exposure—along with financial and reputational consequences—so it is critical to ensure that you are addressing all of the allegations at hand. We will promptly conduct an attorney-client privileged risk assessment to ensure that we are defending you by all necessary means.

3. Building a Targeted Defense Strategy

A comprehensive understanding of the federal statutes that apply in public corruption cases is essential for building an effective defense. Our public corruption attorneys are intimately familiar with the statutes that apply, and we rely on our in-depth knowledge of the law to build targeted defense strategies for our clients in Texas.

4. Targeting a Confidential Out-of-Court Resolution

Although investigations can sometimes last months or years before charges are filed, federal prosecutors often work quickly in public corruption cases. This makes it critical to work equally quickly to target a confidential out-of-court resolution that avoids the publicity of facing public corruption allegations in federal court.

5. Serving as Defense Counsel in Federal Grand Jury and Trial Proceedings if Necessary

While we focus on resolving our clients’ public corruption and cases without going to court whenever possible, we are also fully prepared to defend our clients in court when necessary. Our senior attorneys have extensive experience in both federal grand jury proceedings and federal trials.

FAQs: Defending Against Allegations of Public Corruption in Texas

Speak with a Senior Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer at Oberheiden PC in Strict Confidence

If you need to speak with an experienced lawyer about a federal public corruption investigation, we encourage you to contact us immediately. Call 888-680-1745 or contact us online to arrange a free and confidential consultation today.