Our Cases

United States v. Company. Medicare fraud investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against our client. We were able to convince the government to end the case investigation after providing convincing evidence that our client complied with all relevant medicare laws and regulations. Our detailed medicare law understanding allowed us to successfully defend our client and the case resulted in no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Criminal—Securities Fraud). Our client found out that his business is under investigation by the SEC and the FBI. Because, at first, there was some confusion about the exact nature of the allegations, our team conducted an internal investigation with the help of former FBI agents. Parallel to our own due diligence, I opened a dialogue with the supervising federal prosecutor. We learned that the government’s investigation into our client was an offspring from another SEC matter, and that our client, allegedly, misrepresented material information and gave investment advice without having the appropriate credentials. We implemented our SEC compliance package, reformed the company’s public statement policies, added disclaimers, and ultimately met with the SEC, the FBI, and the Justice Department. Our client, well prepared for this important meeting, explained the due diligence process at the company, introduced the heightened compliance standards, and substantiated why certain public company statements did not amount to advice but were informational and backed up by data. Because the government left convinced that there was no fraud at my client’s business and that all future statements will go through more scrutiny, the government closed the case with no penalties and no charges.

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against our client. We took the case with the goal to preserve our client’s license and his freedom. After several meetings with the government prosecutors, we were able to convince the government to end the investigation. Our detailed understanding of all relevant medicare laws permitted us to successfully defend our client and the investigation resulted in no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Criminal—Insider Trading, SEC Fraud). Our client hired us after learning that the FBI was investigating his employer and management for securities fraud, insider trading, and misappropriation of investor funds. A federal criminal defense attorney from Oberheiden P.C. positioned our client early with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the federal prosecutors handling the matter, realizing that there was substantial exposure for him with respect to co-mingling of funds. When the prosecutor wanted to hear from our client, we only offered what is called an Attorney Proffer, that is the attorney, but not the client himself, would give the government information (which cannot be used against a client). The government agreed and I had the opportunity to present our side of the story while pointing the Justice Department in several directions they were previously not aware of. Approximately eight months later, the government filed indictments against several members of the company—but not against our client! Case resolved with zero liability and no criminal charges.

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the Department of Justice and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) against our client. We were able to convince the government to end the case investigation after providing convincing reasons that our client complied with all relevant medicare laws and regulations. Our medicare law familiarity allowed us to successfully defend our client and the case resulted in no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Criminal—Insider Trading). This was perhaps the closest call in a criminal SEC matter so far! The FBI showed up one day at our client’s house serving him a target letter and a grand jury subpoena. The prosecutor, well known to us, made clear in our initial conversation that the government is preparing insider trading charges based on evidence that our client sent several text messages to others informing them about non-publicly available developments inside a publicly traded company. Over a course of several months, we were able to present not just our client but also information to the government that put the alleged text messages into a different light. Quite a bit of research further revealed that the information our client distributed was what we called contextual knowledge to any sophisticated investor at the time. In other words, a prudent investor’s due diligence would have allowed someone to anticipate the developments that ultimately changed the stock price. In essence, I used a classic government standard (should have known, deliberate ignorance) and flipped it to the benefit of our client. We got our client out with no penalties and no criminal charges!

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the FBI in connection with the Office of Inspector General against our client. We were able to show the federal prosecutors that our client did not violate federal healthcare laws. Our experience with medicare fraud investigations allowed us to persuade the government to conclude the fraud investigation with no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Criminal—Insider Trading). The SEC served a subpoena on our client only requesting specific communications between our client and a group of people within a certain time frame. It was instantly clear that the SEC was conducting an already established insider trading investigation in preparation of a referral to the FBI. In light of the (unusual) fact that the government already had its entire case put together before reaching out to a target, we only saw a benefit in cooperating. And it worked. Instead of simply surrendering, we used the cooperation to present our side of the story—and one of my famous scales from 1-10 to illustrate how and why our client’s information did not amount to “insider” information in the traditional and SEC-defined way. As a result, first, we were able to avoid any referral and there was no FBI or DOJ involvement, and our client was not charged. Second, the SEC imposed a nominal penalty on our client which we anticipated and greatly welcomed as a case outcome.

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services in Connection with the Department of Justice against our client. We provided the U.S. Attorney’s Office specific Medicare law exceptions and we were able to convince the government to end the investigation. We were able to successfully defend our client and the case resulted in no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client. Our client, an attorney, found himself accused by the SEC of failing to do sufficient due diligence prior to preparation of opinion letters for companies that the SEC admitted were actively defrauding the attorney as well as many others. The client worried for the future of his practice and even his law license. In short order, our SEC defense team obtained a settlement offer that would save the practice and the license and require only a small payment by the client. Law license saved and no charges filed!

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and a number of federal law enforcement agencies against our client. Initially, our client received a subpoena from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Inspector General for alleged medicare fraud. We were able to stop the investigation and we were able to successfully defend our client and the case resulted in no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v Client. Our client was head of sales for a pharmaceutical company and chose to invest some of his money in their stock. When the SEC suspected insider trading by some of the company’s executives, his name was high on their list. After talking to Elizabeth, who had the client cooperate in full by providing both documents and testimony, the SEC lost interest in our client’s honest and easily explained trades and turned their attention back to the senior executives who had profited from buying and selling company stock during restricted periods. Crisis averted!

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) out of the Washington D.C. Headquarters against our client. Throughout a number of meetings with the federal prosecutors we were able to convince the government that our client did not violate medicare laws. We were able to end the investigation and we were able to successfully defend our client and the case resulted in no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Civil, Subpoena). Our client was caught in the crossfire between a former business partner (now competitor) and the SEC. After a myriad of litigation and SEC subpoenas, we worked ourselves step by step out of the hole the former partner put the client into. First, we convinced the government that there was no fraud and that any potentially misrepresentations were neither systematic nor profit driven. Second, we confirmed to the SEC that the company discontinued all activities of concern to regulators. Third, we used the closure of the SEC matter to end the civil opponent’s leverage over our client by attacking the civil litigation matter now free of fear and exposure to the SEC.

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the FBI in connection with the Office of Inspector General against our client. We were able to show the federal prosecutors that our client did not violate federal healthcare laws. Our experience with medicare fraud investigations allowed us to persuade the government to conclude the fraud investigation with no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Civil, Subpoena). Our client was previously the co-founder of a private blockchain exchange platform for private equity investing. After learning of an investigation by the SEC claiming investment fraud, securities fraud, and misappropriation, our client hired us to represent him. We determined that the Division was primarily eager to investigate her connection and investments in this company. Novel technological businesses that utilize blockchain technology, smart contracts, and allow for crypto investments and/or mining have drawn particular attention to both state and federal agencies—as this case has done. This case is especially sensitive as there are current and ongoing FBI, FTC, and SEC investigations into the same matter. Our team of securities defense attorneys prepared a personalized defense strategy on his behalf that focused on unfamiliarity with certain intricate financial/developmental/operational aspects of the company, despite his co-founder status.

Medicare Fraud Investigation by the FBI in connection with the Office of Inspector General against our client. We were able to show the federal prosecutors that our client did not violate federal healthcare laws. Our experience With medicare fraud investigations allowed us to persuade the government to conclude the fraud investigation with no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Civil, Subpoena). The SEC served each of our clients and the CEO of an emerging technological company with federal subpoenas. Following multiple correspondence and meetings with the SEC staff, we were able to narrow the SEC’s focus to our client’s technology, IP rights, and investor solicitations. Due to the business nature of an emerging company, our client has numerous email correspondences that the SEC had requested.  We worked with our highly dedicated forensics team.  Our forensic expert used sophisticated extraction software to compile relevant email correspondences from multiple email accounts to then forward to the SEC — saving our clients days of time and hassles.  Our task over the past several months has been to demonstrate to the SEC that our client’s business was started from and continues to be a family-run business built from the investments from family and close friends — which was unfortunately cut short by the negative consequences of the novel coronavirus.  Further, in contrast to the belief of the SEC, we aim to show that our client’s business was the furthest thing from a massive, multi-industry, multi-million-dollar investment plan.

Medicare Fraud Investigation by various federal law enforcement agencies against our client. The case began with a subpoena issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. The request in the subpoena led us (rightly) to conclude that the investigation was criminal in nature. We provided substantial information and addressed the medicare fraud allegations in a number of meetings and ultimately negotiated an end of the investigation leaving no civil and no criminal liability for our client and any of its principals, directors, employees, and otherwise affiliated individuals.

SEC v. Client (Civil, Subpoena). Our client worked as the CFO for a nationwide farming manufacturer, distributor, and seller. The company’s expected business needs necessitated millions of dollars and entailed many multi-million-dollar contracts with other companies, which caught the SEC’s eye. Our client left the business and thereafter received an SEC subpoena. The SEC’s subpoena targeted our client for his involvement in a potentially fraudulent investor solicitation and investment scheme.  Our objective is to convince the SEC that our client’s responsibilities did not align with those of a CFO and were limited to mere signatures and preparing financial statements and tax forms.  We plan to use hard evidence such as countless email correspondences to prove that our client did not have access to intricate financial details nor to private and confidential investor information such as solicitation materials and names of brokers, promoters, etc.

United States v. Client. (Dismissed). Nick inherited this case from the biggest law firm in his client’s state of residence. At the time Nick got involved, his client, a nationally known rheumatologist, had already spent three years and hundreds of thousands of dollars defending against allegations of fraud and upcoding charges. If there ever is a fit for the famous expression of “he came, he saw, he conquered,” this case would be it. Nick discovered incredible flaws in the defense strategy and immediately recognized that the previous lawyers had only tried to persuade the client to admit fraud to get this whistleblower case off the docket. Even though the client had a settlement offer on the table which would have limited the client’s liability to pennies on the dollar (but still amount to a substantial penalty), Nick informed the government that he would reject the offer and would not advise his client to pay even $1. Instead, he actually listened to his client and appreciated how she absolutely stayed within the accepted standards of medicine. The result? The government dropped its intervention. Shortly thereafter, the relators voluntarily dismissed all of their claims and the presiding federal judge dismissed the entire case. Nick saved his client from entering a fraud settlement, possible malpractice claims, and having to disclose this case for the rest of her career. Obviously, Nick’s client was stunned, and her only regret was that she did not hire Nick earlier! Case dismissed!

SEC v. Client (Civil, Subpoena). Our client was asked by the SEC to “voluntarily” provide documentation, records, and a narrative to support its investigation regarding a small investment club between our client and other individual. Our client acted immediately to hire us.  The SEC was particularly focused on our client’s brokerage accounts and the amounts that were transferred to and from his personal bank accounts.  We understood right away that the SEC was searching for potential charges under the Investment Adviser’s Act of 1940.  The importance of cooperating with the SEC became even clearer when the staff asked for additional, follow-up documentation from our client.  Our defense strategy consists of convincing the SEC that our client does not satisfy the definition of “investment adviser” nor did he render “advice” to others, that his company was by no means an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and that there were no securities, privileges, or any other membership interests or rights whatsoever, involved in the company that required registration under the federal securities laws.

United States v. Client. (Dismissed). Nick and his team represented the alleged ringleader in a large pharmaceutical healthcare fraud case. Six defendants were accused in a massive civil fraud conspiracy to have conspired against the federal government and Medicare in particular. To be brief, Nick got the case against his client dismissed while the motions for dismissal of every other co-defendant were denied. More and more whistleblower complaints lack legal accuracy and are presented by lawyers with no experience when it comes to specific nuances of underlying laws, such as the complex healthcare regulations. While it is a tragedy that anyone can file a lawsuit and put good people and solid businesses in jeopardy, the best we could do for our client in this case was to expose the relators and their lawyers as unqualified and convince the presiding United States federal judge as quickly as possible to remove our client from the case. Mission accomplished. Case dismissed!

SEC v. Client (Civil, Subpoena). Our client was involved in managing a high worth investment fund that handled various projects each worth millions of Dollars.  One recent investment in the low millions had a suspicious activity trail, and the funds used for this transaction were being held up internationally. The SEC subpoenaed our client and his bank accounts to scrutinize this and other international transfers from wealthy investors as well as to scrutinize an allegedly improper “payment” given to our client.  Supporting our client’s claims with documentation and bank receipts showing that there was no illegal transfer or use of the funds by our client are our key focuses.  Further, as our client’s business is high-profile and high worth, hundreds of email correspondences were at stake. To the great satisfaction of our client who has key duties within his company to carry out every day, our team saved weeks of time by using forensic analysis to extract relevant emails form our client’s email accounts to give to the SEC for review.

United States v. Client (Dismissed). Nick’s client was notified by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that he was under federal fraud investigation. The government, by way of a qui tam investigation, alleged that the physician inappropriately referred patients between various entities owned or controlled by that physician. Under federal Stark Law, physicians must not refer certain designated health services (e.g. physical therapy, toxicology tests) to entities in which those physicians (or their immediate family members) have a financial interest. When Nick took on the case, the physician’s exposure included literally hundreds of millions of dollars, criminal tax fraud, criminal healthcare fraud, and criminal federal program fraud. Analyzing the case piece by piece, Nick quickly realized that this case was defensible, and he started doing so step by step. Nick first studied all the relevant facts and then made a total of seven presentations at the U.S. Attorney’s Office including and involving special agents from the FBI, the OIG, the IRS, and other federal law enforcement officials. Nick’s client ended up with zero criminal charges and liability. Case dismissed!

SEC (Compliance Review). One of the country’s best selling and best-known investment advisors hired us to conduct a comprehensive SEC compliance review specifically to cover the areas of investment advice, website content exposure, book content review, and professionalizing the client’s disclaimers for seminars and presentations. We did as he asked and added several techniques and SEC case references to demonstrate for everyone visible at first sight our client’s good intent to comply with all SEC rules and regulations.

United States v. Client (Dismissed). Nick and his team were asked to defend a toxicology laboratory against alleged Stark Law violations. The lab was partially physician owned and one concern of the government attorneys was that physicians would refer designated health services (DHS) to an entity in which these physicians or their immediate family members had a financial interest contrary to federal Stark Law restrictions. The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower case filed by a former employee with apparent significant internal company knowledge. The relator described the company and its owners in detail and she had volumes of records allegedly proving her case. When meeting with the client, it became quite obvious that the client, in full awareness of healthcare regulations, structured the laboratories and physician relationships adequately. A comprehensive analysis actually demonstrated that compliance measures were well above board with integrated compliance officers, policies, and ongoing monitoring. What this case turned out to be was a revengeful attack of a disgruntled employee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed that the laboratory should not be subject to any fines or penalties and did not intervene into the case. Quickly thereafter, the relator withdrew her case and the presiding federal judge dismissed this qui tam. Case dismissed!

SEC (Compliance Review). We conducted a comprehensive SEC compliance review for a business that was under federal criminal investigation. We made several important changes, implemented compliance policies and protocols and thus helped the business avoid further criminal exposure.

United States v. Client (Dismissed). The U.S. Attorney’s Office, through the Department of Defense and the FBI, served a stack of subpoenas on two related toxicology laboratories investigating a series of alleged violations such as Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, and illegal kickbacks. The government did disclose upfront that this case was a so-called parallel investigation, which means that the fraud investigation was both civil and criminal in nature. Given the dual character of the qui tam, Nick’s first priority was to make sure that there would be no criminal charges. Indeed, when Nick began an internal investigation of the client’s operations and policies, quite a bit of compliance backup was missing. However, there was also no indication of fraud, let alone criminal misconduct. The labs were partially physician-owned, and each physician was advised of the company’s compliance standards. The operational side was handled professionally. Looking further underneath the surface, the qui tam read like a classic revenge lawsuit written by a terminated executive. After an intense two-month investigation, Nick and his team were able to report to the government that of the few factual accuracies in the whistleblower complaint, any and all minor issues had long been resolved. Because the government’s review of responsive documents revealed a soundly operating healthcare business, the government agreed not to intervene resulting in the relator’s voluntary dismissal. Case dismissed!

SEC (Compliance Review). An individual contacted us for immediate legal assistance after selling his vested shares after a takeover during the blackout period. Trading during blackout periods can cause serious ramifications such as being fired or insider trading allegations by the SEC. We advised him to speak immediately to his company’s compliance department to inform them of the mistake as this demonstrates a good faith effort to correct one’s mistake in the eyes of the SEC. We also advised that he speak with his company’s legal department for a possible agreement in advance regarding trading during blackout periods or other such “pre-cleared” transactions. Lastly, we strongly advised the individual to hire a financial/securities attorney to evaluate whether the specific facts of his case fell under an exception.

United States v. Client (Dismissed). The Office of Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services informed this toxicology laboratory of a government qui tam investigation for alleged Medicare Fraud. Shocked to see federal agents serving an OIG subpoena, the lab’s management hired Nick and his team to defend against federal fraud allegations. Nick started the representation with an internal audit of the company’s compliance standards and operations to identify potential regulatory weaknesses, in particular with respect to billing and coding policies. To Nick’s surprise, the laboratory explicitly excluded Medicare samples and had ample mechanisms in place to avoid any slippery slope federal billing issues. Next, Nick looked at reference laboratory relationships and realized that the Medicare fraud claims must have stemmed from the relationship the lab had with related and affiliated labs. When applying the same strict compliance requirements and scrutinizing these relationships, Nick worked closely with the government in an effort to end this probe as quickly as possible. Months of auditing of in excess of 100,000 claims did reveal a fractional error, but none that could be called systematic or deliberate. Presented with the findings, the government declined to intervene. The court dismissed this qui tam. Case dismissed!

United States v. Client (Dismissed). Nick defended this nationally operating healthcare marketing company in a federal qui tam investigation and complaint. The relator, a disgruntled former employee, claimed to have inside knowledge of fraud and abuse at the company and illegal physician kickback relationships to doctors across the country. None of that turned out to be true. From the moment Nick’s client was served notice by way of a subpoena issued by the Office of Inspector General, Nick worked with the government agents and attorneys to find a quick resolution for his client. Case dismissed!

SEC (Compliance Review). We were asked to scrutinize the securities compliance of a $500M start up business that was largely investor focused. Years later, that business was sued by one of its investors for alleged investor fraud and misappropriation of investor funds. Partially due to our compliance materials, the lawsuit ended up dismissed after our client introduced the compliance binders, protocols, and operational policies we once established.

United States v. Client (Dismissed). While the underlying complaint in this case was an alleged violation of federal Stark Laws, the relator’s true motive behind this action was to take revenge against the former employer. The case was styled as a False Claims Act complaining about millions of dollars of federal fraud and abuse. Nick took on the case recognizing right away that the relator’s attorney was merely using Wikipedia-type legal explanations of what the Stark Law is about—without any reference to concrete facts or specific instances of fraud in the present case. Nick’s approach was twofold. First, Nick convinced the government not to intervene by preparing a detailed analysis of federal healthcare laws and why they simply did not apply to his client’s situation. Two, Nick convinced relator’s lawyers to withdraw the complaint. Case dismissed!

United States v. Client (Dismissed). This qui tam case was a good example that the expression “where there is smoke, there is fire” does not always hold true when it comes to bringing inefficient, unsubstantiated, and poorly written federal False Claims Act cases. The Justice Department and the Office of Inspector General investigated a national physician-owned laboratory for alleged violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, Medicare and CMS rules, among others. The problem with this case was that there was no federal jurisdiction in the first place. All the alleged violations assumed billing of federal healthcare programs. Nick’s internal investigation, however, established that the laboratories did not even have the ability to bill, let alone receive, monies from CMS/Medicare. The government prosecutors agreed with the presented findings and filed a non-intervention notice. Quickly thereafter, the case got dismissed. Case dismissed!

SEC (Compliance Review). We reviewed and made changes to a healthcare business that was using physician investors as part of its business model. Even though all investors were so-called sophisticated investors, we made sure that the company’s SEC filings and claims of applicable exemptions were done correctly, familiarized the compliance officer with certain SEC details, and introduced a Q&A summary of all important securities requirements.

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). Nick was hired to represent a lawyer who was a declared target in a federal investment fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The case was investigated by the FBI, the SEC, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. After learning the context and the circumstances of the case from his client, Nick met with the Assistant United States Attorneys and FBI representatives from the Washington D.C. headquarters in an effort to avoid an indictment despite the late stage the case was already in. Fortunately, the government was willing to accept Nick’s idea of an attorney proffer and ultimately a debrief of his client. Well prepared and aware of the stakes, Nick was able to present his client as a genuine and credible witness rather than a criminal target. In fact, Nick’s preparation of his client was so profound and his client’s testimony so comprehensive that the government offered criminal immunity at the conclusion of the very first meeting. No criminal charges!

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). Nick successfully defended a federal employee in a large federal bribery and public corruption investigation. Nick’s client was approached by FBI, IRS, and U.S. Marshall’s agents and declared a target of various federal felony charges. Years earlier, as the story evolved, this client operated in a group of business owners that used high-level public officials to secure sizable federal bids. While the odds were clearly against his client, Nick took the case with the confidence that he could avoid an indictment as long as the client would exactly follow Nick’s advice and strategy. Nick flew to Washington D.C. to meet with the decision-makers in a last-minute attempt to downgrade his client to a subject in exchange for providing information to the Justice Department. Hesitant at first, the lead prosecutor agreed to consider the option and communicated a list of expectations. Sure enough, Nick turned this investigation around and he zealously represented his client’s interest. No criminal charges!

SEC (Compliance Review). This industry leader sought our compliance advice after being subpoenaed by the SEC for a variety of rule violations. Because time was of the essence, we expedited our internal investigation and provided numerous protocols and policies to boost the client’s compliance. For example, we added important content to the client’s website, we gave training sessions to the client’s employees, and we rewrote previously existing inadequate policies of how to handle securities. Our compliance approach convinced the SEC to give our client a second chance, now reassured the company is in good hands!

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). A New York surgeon approached Nick with “a big problem” on his hands. The FBI and OIG contacted the physician and served him a federal grand jury subpoena for his alleged involvement in a healthcare fraud conspiracy and kickback scheme. Professionals, like this physician, have two major fears in these types of cases: losing their license and losing their freedom. Aware of the potential exposure, Nick reached out to the Assistant United States Attorneys on the case to discuss the investigation and avenues to avoid an indictment against his client. A meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s Office between Nick and the prosecutors turned out to be productive. A deal was reached that Nick’s client would produce the requested documents including potentially incriminating checks but in exchange for cooperating with the FBI, the government would not charge Nick’s client. No criminal charges!

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). Technically, it was impossible to avoid an indictment in this case. Nick’s client was alleged to be head over heels involved in a healthcare fraud conspiracy, to have misrepresented material information when interviewed by federal agents, and he had no obvious defense or explanation. Luckily, Nick found an exit strategy. In a series of meetings with the FBI and high-level federal prosecutors, Nick negotiated a resolution that would not involve criminal charges and no reporting of the physician to his medical board. Even though the first discussions were admittedly arduous, Nick broke the ice and hesitation of the government piece by piece, meeting by meeting, and ultimately obtained the good news. No criminal charges!

SEC (Internal Investigation). Our client hired us to conduct a comprehensive SEC compliance review after learning of rumors that a former investor “turned them in.” We used several former federal agents to interview witnesses, review corporate documents, and to assist in boosting the client’s corporate compliance policies in consideration of and in light of our team members’ SEC frontline investigative experience. By the time the complaint against our client materialized, our client already had cleaned house and was thus able to present a detailed set of documents, policies, and SEC compliance training materials that instantly discredited the investor’s allegations. We saved our client a lot of money by attacking the allegations preemptively!

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). In one of the most followed criminal investigations of recent time, Nick successfully defended the former business partner of the main target against federal bank fraud and tax fraud One day, Nick’s client found himself surrounded by FBI agents who served him a grand jury subpoena with the request to testify within three days. Unfortunately, before the client hired Nick, he volunteered information to law enforcement and to all major national news stations. When Nick took over the representation, the client and Nick formed a team to produce requested documents and to prepare for grand jury testimony while declining ongoing media requests. Because the information the government requested involved matters of national security, Nick entered into an agreement with the Justice Department to protect the information under a national security immunity theory. Even though the agents told Nick’s client initially that he was a target and needed to testify within three days, Nick made sure his client had enough time to produce the documents, did not have to testify, and did not end up being a target in a series of negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. No criminal charges!

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). Owners of healthcare billing companies can quickly be exposed and become subject to grand jury investigations if they don’t carefully indemnify and protect themselves from the potential misconduct of their customers. Same here. Nick represented the owner of a home healthcare billing agency when several of her clients were raided, arrested, and indicted for Medicare fraud. The government informed Nick’s client that she herself was a criminal target and considered a co-conspirator for billing fraudulent claims. Assuring his client that there was hope, Nick went to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to demonstrate when and why owners of billing companies can get indicted—and why his client should not get indicted based on these comparable situations. Nick’s defense theory started to resonate with the AUSA after the second meeting and soon thereafter the government informed Nick that his client would not be prosecuted. No criminal charges!

SEC (Internal Investigation). Many SEC subpoenas request any and all communications between the subpoenaed individual and multiple other individuals in any form of electronic medium.  This can make the task of gathering every relevant email a daunting and extremely time-consuming endeavour.  Our team includes forensic consultants who have the tools and software to extract relevant emails by keyword from your electronic devices — such as emails correspondences from your multiple email accounts or text messages and chats from your phone.  Through this method, we instantly save our clients days and sometimes weeks of work!

Grand Jury v. Client (No Charges). Nick’s client was under investigation for tax fraud and tax evasion. The IRS and FBI opened a case, approached Nick’s client for a (declined) interview request, and ultimately served a grand jury subpoena on her. When Nick reached out to the U.S. government attorneys, Nick realized that, even though his client was likely a target, a deal of non-prosecution could be achieved. Instead of producing any documents, Nick offered his client to the government subject to a proffer agreement. The strategy was to provide helpful information and to establish her as a credible witness. Even though there was the risk involved that the government could or would prosecute her regardless, Nick’s conviction was that the government would not prosecute her once they met his client and appreciated her explanation and the context she was able to provide for the big picture investigation. The plan worked out. The interview went very well, and the government never prosecuted Nick’s client, but many others in this case. No criminal charges!

United States v. Client (FBI & DEA). Nick represented a New York medical doctor under investigation by the DEA and the FBI for allegedly prescribing unnecessary opioids. The physician contacted Nick first when several federal agents came to his office to serve various DEA subpoenas. The subpoenas required Nick’s client to produce patient charts; several of those patients, according to the DEA agents, had passed due to a prescription overdose while under the care of this doctor. This doctor was also told that the federal government is seeking the death penalty against the provider for proximately causing the patients’ death due to his allegedly irresponsible prescription practice. While the previous lawyer instructed Nick’s client to produce these files, Nick, instead, reached out to the supervising agent to discuss the investigation first and to seek an extension to have an opportunity to strategize with his client. In a series of meetings, Nick and his team were ultimately able to convince the DEA to withdraw its request and to not pursue the case any further. Nick’s client did not produce any patient records, was not charged, and he continues to practice medicine. No criminal charges!

SEC (Internal Investigation). After receiving a complex subpoena from the SEC, our client retained us as legal counsel. An examination of our client’s subpoena quickly revealed that this was a case of insider trading allegations.  We had to tread carefully with this case because our client had a fragile immigration status.  We sought to negotiate and maintain open communication with the SEC.  To assist our client in preparing for an interview with the SEC, we developed a comprehensive document of detailed Q&As based on our prior conferences and correspondences with the SEC.  To combat the insider trading allegation, we focused on emphasizing that our client never received material, non-public information, never traded irregularly, and never received subsequent financial gain.  It would therefore be impossible for the SEC to prove insider trading.

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). The client hired Nick based on his public reviews and reputation, he said. The situation was severe. The government claimed to have surveillance, documents, checks, and witness testimony to affiliate Nick’s client to a massive healthcare fraud conspiracy. The case was handled by the FBI, the U.S. Justice Department, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, and the local U.S. Attorney’s Office. If there is a good example that no case is hopeless, this one would be it. Nick turned every stone and spent a great deal of time with his client to learn about the case and to find out what (and who) exactly got him into this situation. Doing so allowed Nick to identify a promising defense theme that he then presented to the federal prosecutors in a series of meetings. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). The client, a cardiologist, was contacted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a federal healthcare fraud conspiracy. When discussing the matter, Nick found that this case should not be criminal. He reached out to the government and requested a meeting to discuss the case. He left the meeting with the government’s promise not to criminally prosecute his client, but to possibly hold him civilly liable. After several nights with no sleep out of fear of losing his license and going to prison, Nick’s client was finally able to sleep again with the good news obtained from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. No criminal charges!

SEC (Internal Investigation). The founder of a human resources company found herself in the middle of an SEC investigation. Worried and confused about why she and her business as well as some of her family members were being investigated, she hired our team. We soon discovered that the matter was likely initiated by a former disgruntled investor who withdrew their investment and went to the SEC as a whistleblower or was initiated by the SEC itself likely based on our client’s public filings for an exemption from registration.  Our priority was to contact the SEC and set up a rolling production schedule with prioritized requests and a reduced subpoena scope to make things easier for our client.

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). A prominent surgeon hired Nick after he was approached by two agents, one from the FBI and the other from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The agents told the doctor that he was under investigation for healthcare fraud and kickbacks and that he needed a lawyer. Sure enough, Nick contacted the agents and then requested a meeting with the supervising Assistant United States Attorney. There, Nick learned that his client received kickbacks for referrals. Knowing that physicians tend to participate in investments and joint-ventures offered to them by marketers without much thinking or analysis, Nick convinced the government to meet with his client under the protection of a proffer agreement. The plan worked out. Nick’s client, after 30 or so hours of preparation with Nick, made a formidable impression on the attending prosecutors and agents and persuaded everyone in the room that prosecuting him would be a wrong angle to the case. Nick laid the foundation for the option of non-prosecution, prepared his client, chose the right strategy, and he succeeded. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declared a renowned physician a target of a federal criminal investigation. The government claimed to have evidence of various illegal kickback schemes that the physician was allegedly involved in. Threatened with “years of prison,” the doctor called Nick to seek help to avoid an indictment and jail. Even though the government is not required to respond, let alone to meet with defense attorneys prior to an indictment, Nick was able to convince the prosecutors that a meeting would be helpful for all parties to clarify an apparent misconception and to direct the investigation to other targets. After some weeks of deliberation, the government agreed to meet, first with Nick only, and then with Nick and his client, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Indeed, the client, well aware of what is at stake, together with Nick, prepared a comprehensive chronology of events, detailed documentation, and handed over all information of interest to the government. Apparently impressed with the preparation, the prosecutors offered full criminal immunity during only the second meeting. The client was never charged and continues to practice medicine. No criminal charges!

SEC (Corporate SEC Advice). We have prepared Private Placement Memoranda and provided SEC corporate advice for more than a hundred clients from different industries including healthcare, retail, and the financial world. Whereas many PPMs seemed to contain copied and pasted boilerplate language, we strive to tailor our work products to the specific industry and situation of our client and include pertinent SEC cases and specific rules to express our clients’ due diligence and demonstrated intent to comply with all rules and regulations.

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). A physician was approached by an agent from the Office of Inspector General, panicked, and lied. Reading about the consequences of misrepresenting information to a federal agent under 18 U.S.C. 1001, the physician contacted Nick in the hope to “undo” the statement or to otherwise find a way not to get charged. When Nick spoke to the OIG agent, he learned that the FBI in a second federal district was already involved and that the case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In one phone call, Nick convinced the AUSA to meet and to hear the “corrected” statement from his client in addition to other information under a proffer agreement. The extremely kind prosecutor and his team showed sympathy for the stress when an agent shows up unexpectedly and appreciated the testimony more than having an interest of prosecuting Nick’s client. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). Federal law makes it a crime to misrepresent material information when being interviewed by federal law enforcement, see 18 U.S.C. 1001. A business owner hired Nick when he found out that his volunteered information to the FBI was both imprudent and factually inaccurate. Because, as so often, the agents already knew that the answers to their questions were wrong based on their investigation, they informed the interviewee to also prosecute him for obstructing a federal investigation. Nick took on the matter and requested a meeting with the supervising Assistant United States Attorney. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). All odds were against Nick’s client. She was deeply entangled into a major tax fraud scheme and the federal government looked at her with an indictment in preparation. Nonetheless, Nick asked the government to hold off on charges and to give him a chance to discuss the matter with his client first. Buying important time, Nick then sat down with the FBI, the IRS, and government lawyers to explore ways of (ideally) avoiding an indictment. Knowing how valuable the client could be to law enforcement, Nick negotiated a non-prosecution agreement in exchange for the information the client had about the masterminds of the criminal conspiracy. Sure enough, the government was pleased to get a key witness and Nick’s client escaped criminal charges. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). With a chance of probably less than 1% of escaping an indictment, this client approached Nick after his house and offices were raided by 60 federal agents involving the FBI, the Office of Inspector General, and several other state and federal agencies. The client was accused of every fashion of healthcare fraud, from billing fraud to False Claims Act violations, to Medicare Fraud, to Medicaid Fraud, to fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347, money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, to name just a few. From the beginning, the government’s story just did not add up. Nick debriefed with his client after the raid and spent hours with his client and at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in an effort to get to the bottom of the story. The work of listening and believing a client paid off. Nick’s factual investigation established that, while his client may have a civil liability for submitting wrong claims, the wrongness and illegality of fake invoices was created by a third party. After months of hard defense work, the government finally admitted that they got the wrong guy and indicted the actual perpetrator.

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). A business owner sought Nick’s help after his place of business was visited by FBI agents. The initial conversation with the supervising AUSA suggested that the client provided IT and logistical assistance in what the government considered a federal money laundering conspiracy. Even though the government requested to interview the business owner, Nick respectfully declined and reinforced his defense strategy that his client had done nothing wrong. The prosecution went forward without charging Nick’s client. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). The owner of a large-scale national pharmacy heard rumors of an investigation orchestrated by the Office of Inspector General, the FBI, CMS, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and various pharmacy boards. Nick and his team conducted a comprehensive internal investigation, compliance training, and installed a corporate compliance structure and staffing. By the time the government actually contacted the pharmacy for alleged healthcare fraud, the situation was cleaned up and all raised issues were resolved. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). A successful healthcare entrepreneur became a target of a criminal investigation involving mail fraud, wire fraud, and healthcare fraud. The FBI informed this business owner that he has been on the government’s radar for a while and that he would get indicted in the near future. The agents encouraged the business owner to volunteer for an interview at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to mitigate his criminal exposure. Nick took on the representation and told the government not to contact his client again without Nick’s knowledge. Sure enough, the client was never contacted again, never provided testimony, was never indicted, and he continues to operate successful, lawful businesses. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). The U.S. Attorney’s Office informed a medical provider that he would get indicted and offered his attorney a written plea agreement for signature. Desperate to save his license and his freedom, the physician changed lawyers to Nick and his team, who advised the client not to sign the plea. In a series of meetings with the Justice Department, piece by piece, Nick and his team were able to convince the government that the allegations were simply false and that his client could not knowingly sign an incorrect plea. Indeed, the government recognized the defense efforts, withdrew the plea, and discontinued the prosecution. No criminal charges!

FBI Investigation v. Client (No Charges). In this joint FBI and DEA search warrant case, Nick’s client, a healthcare business owner, faced federal criminal charges for allegedly having violated the Controlled Substances Act as well as federal healthcare regulations. Nick and his team immediately got in front of the supervising federal prosecutor and presented a theory of prosecutorial misconduct and excessive interference for what, if at all, would constitute a small state law infraction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office discontinued its investigation and refrained from further action. No criminal charges!