Florida Attorney General Letter Defense Attorney

Have you received a letter or some other communication from the Florida Attorney General, delivered by a federal law enforcement agent? Are you or your business being investigated by the federal government for fraudulent or other illegal activity? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, the next steps you take could significantly affect your finances, your freedom, and your reputation. The Florida Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has considerable power to investigate, prosecute, and litigate a number of criminal violations and civil infractions.

The potential penalties in a federal investigation could range anywhere from fines and sanctions to prison time and forced dissolution of your business. The best decision you can make after receiving a letter from the OAG is to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. Oberheiden, P.C. is ready to handle every aspect of the legal action that has been taken against you and to work with the federal prosecutor for the best possible resolution.

The Powers of the Florida Attorney General

The OAG is composed of several different departments dedicated to ending various criminal activities and civil law violations. Understanding these various units, and retaining experienced legal representation, can help you and your business properly address any investigations, prosecutions, or lawsuits commenced against you. We have counseled both individuals and companies that have received letters from the following OAG departments, among others:

• Antitrust: The Antitrust Division enforces state and federal antitrust laws and works to ensure economic markets remain competitive and free. Among the most common antitrust violations are bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation (an agreement not to compete), and monopolization. Proposed mergers and acquisitions are also reviewed to ensure they do not create monopolies. This office has the power to investigate alleged violations of antitrust laws, issue subpoenas, and file lawsuits to seek damages and other judicial relief. But the office has even broader authority, having expanded its efforts to include enforcement of the state’s securities law and enforce the Consumer Protection Act and Racketeering laws. If you or your business have been targeted by the Antitrust Division, give us a call.
• Civil Litigation: This division covers a broad range of activities and files lawsuits related to employment law, tort law, and more. With three Bureaus throughout the state, the Civil Litigation Department also represents the State of Florida in class action civil rights lawsuits aimed at seeking reform of state programs or systems.
• Consumer Protection: The primary objective of this department is to enforce the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and related laws. Using its civil enforcement authority, the Consumer Protection Division of the OAG works to put an end to unfair, unconscionable, deceptive, and unfair methods of competition and trade practices.
• Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU): The MFCU investigates Medicaid fraud and takes legal action in the form of criminal prosecutions and civil litigation. Targets of the MFCU are primarily healthcare providers who have been accused of improperly billing the Medicaid system and thereby ripping off taxpayers. Another responsibility is investigating patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities that receive funding from Medicaid. Lastly, the MFCU investigates complex and organized civil and criminal fraud.
• Office of Statewide Prosecution: The Office of Statewide Prosecution investigates and prosecutes crimes that affect two or more judicial circuits in the state. The office regularly works with other state and federal offices to tackle what are usually complex and organized criminal enterprises. Because of the far-reaching nature of these investigations, innocent individuals and businesses can be caught up and falsely accused of wrongdoing.

You may receive a letter from these or other state offices, and perhaps federal agencies working with the Florida OAG. Regardless, any such correspondence with the United States Attorney’s Office or federal prosecutors should be taken seriously. We encourage you to reach out immediately to our law firm so we can guide you.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Representing Clients in Attorney General’s Office Matters

It’s important to understand that merely being investigated for wrongdoing, charged with a crime, or named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit does not mean you have broken the law. The burden of proof will be on the State to demonstrate that you have violated applicable state or federal statutes. However, even if you believe you have done nothing wrong, it is never a good idea to communicate with the OAG on your own. Statements you make could be used against you or could fuel additional federal investigations into you or your business.

Instead, hire an experienced Florida Attorney General letter defense attorney who can represent you by:

• Examining the contents of letters and filings, such as complaints, to explain what they mean for you and/or your business
• Reviewing what the OAG is obligated to prove as substantial evidence in order to substantiate its claims
• Discussing the potential legal ramifications of criminal prosecutions and civil litigation
• Establishing a working relationship with the OAG to begin discussing ways to mitigate the claims against you and keep disruptions to you and your business at a minimum
• Maintaining open avenues of communication, which may help correct misunderstandings the office has and potentially bring the claims against you to an early end
• Handling all communications with the OAG’s investigators and attorneys
• Producing a detailed response to the federal target letter and claims made against you so your rights are protected and so all possible defenses are raised
• If possible, working to have claims and allegations against you dismissed or to bring investigations and enforcement actions to a speedy close
• Negotiating a settlement or plea bargain, if necessary, that resolves the criminal or civil matters that are being pursued against you or your business
• Preparing for litigation if a settlement or other resolution cannot be reached
• Defending your rights at every stage of the investigatory and judicial processes

Contact Our Florida Attorney General Letter Defense Attorney

Our law firm also counsels individuals and businesses concerning risk mitigation strategies that may reduce the likelihood they will ever be contacted by the OAG in the first place. To get started with your defense or to learn more about ways to protect yourself and your business from legal action, reach out to Oberheiden, P.C. today and speak to a Florida Attorney General letter defense attorney.

Disclaimer:
The content on this site is informational only and describes mere allegations. The content does not suggest evidence, proof, or guaranteed liability. The merits of each case depend on specific facts. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. For more details, please see our FTC and general disclaimers. Oberheiden Law is the law firm in charge.