Federal Defense for Politicians and Government Officials

Last Updated: 2023-03-05

Our Lawyers Represent Politicians and Government Officials in Federal Investigations and Law Enforcement Matters

In today’s political environment, politicians and government officials are facing unprecedented scrutiny. Whereas federal investigations into politicians and government officials used to be reserved for cases involving major allegations that captured the nation’s attention, today they are a regular occurrence. From congressional committees to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), politicians and government officials can face scrutiny from numerous sources, and this scrutiny can have both political and legal ramifications.

Who We Are

At Oberheiden P.C., our team of former U.S. Attorneys, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and senior federal investigative agents advise and represent politicians and government officials facing all types of allegations. Whether you are being accused of violating campaign finance laws, interfering with the electoral process, or underpaying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), we can help. Our political defense attorneys and consultants are highly experienced, and we have a proven record of success in federal investigations, civil enforcement proceedings, and criminal trials.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

John W. Sellers

Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice

Local Counsel

Joanne Fine DeLena

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Joe Brown

Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney

Local Trial & Defense Counsel

Amanda Marshall

Former U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Aaron L. Wiley

Former Federal Prosecutor

Local Counsel

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (OIG)

Michael Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Chris Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Kevin M. Sheridan

Former Special Agent (FBI)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Dennis A. Wichern

Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)

How We Help

We represent politicians and government officials as defense counsel in all types of federal investigations and law enforcement matters. If you are facing federal scrutiny (or if you are concerned about facing scrutiny), we encourage you to contact us promptly. The sooner you engage our firm to represent you, the more we can do to help. If the investigation has not yet been publicized, we may be able to keep it confidential; and, in any case, we can begin dealing with the investigating authority on your behalf immediately.

Some examples of the types of matters we handle for politicians and government officials include:

Campaign Finance Matters

Candidates, elected officials who are running for reelection, and other individuals can expect to face scrutiny in the area of campaign finance. Several federal laws play a role in restricting the sources of campaign funds in federal elections, all with the ultimate goal of preserving our democracy. This includes well-known laws such as the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA).

However, while these laws may be well-known, they are also frequently misunderstood. As a result, mistakes are fairly common. In many cases, defending against allegations of campaign finance violations is a matter of demonstrating that the government’s allegations are misguided. In others, politicians’ and government officials’ defense strategies must focus on convincing the DOJ that any mistakes were inadvertent—and, as such, do not merit criminal prosecution.

Congressional Investigations

With the highly publicized hearings of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, congressional investigations have become mainstream. While most congressional investigations receive far less publicity, these investigations can still present significant risks for politicians and government officials, and those targeted by congressional committees must be prepared to defend themselves by all means available.

We represent politicians and government officials in congressional investigations involving all types of standing, special, and select committees. This includes everything from overseeing our clients’ subpoena responses to representing our clients on Capitol Hill.

Criminal Investigations

If you are facing a federal criminal investigation as a politician or government official, it is imperative that you engage defense counsel promptly. The clock is ticking; and, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will become to assert a successful defense. Our former federal prosecutors and investigative agents have significant experience on both sides of high-stakes and high-profile criminal cases, and we have had significant success securing favorable results for our clients during government investigations, post-indictment, and at trial.

Election Law Matters

From Congress to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), several federal authorities investigate and assist in the prosecution of federal election crimes. Civil allegations under FECA and other applicable laws are common as well; and, while civil allegations do not present the risk of incarceration (at least not immediately), they nonetheless present risks for significant financial liability and reputational harm.

At Oberheiden P.C., we have significant experience defending politicians and government officials in federal election law matters. Whether the government has initiated an investigation on its own account or it is acting on information from a political adversary or watchdog organization, we can get to the bottom of the allegations at issue and execute a strategic defense on your behalf.

Public Corruption and Bribery Allegations

Allegations of public corruption and bribery present financial and reputational risks for politicians and government officials as well. This includes allegations of offering, soliciting, accepting, and paying kickbacks and other prohibited forms of monetary compensation. It also includes accepting campaign contributions in exchange for political favors, whether directly or indirectly, and whether from entities located domestically or abroad.

These also tend to be highly complex matters, and presenting an effective defense requires an in-depth understanding of how the relevant laws and regulations apply to the specific circumstances in question. If you are facing accusations of being a corrupt politician or government official, we can help set the record straight, and we can use our experience in these cases to assert all available defenses.

Tax, Securities, and Other Federal Investigations

In addition to investigations and prosecutions involving allegations that are specific to the political sector, we also defend politicians and government officials who are facing other types of allegations. While these allegations are often part and parcel of politically motivated inquiries, we see stand-alone investigations into politicians’ and government officials’ affairs as well. This includes investigations into alleged tax law violations, securities law violations, and other federal offenses—most (but not all) of which are financial in nature.

What To Expect

If you need defense counsel as a politician or government official, you need to know that you can trust your legal team without reservation. So, why should you choose Oberheiden P.C.? Here is what you can expect when you engage our team of former senior federal prosecutors and investigative agents to defend you:

• Emergency Response – If you have received a DOJ or congressional subpoena, if you are facing allegations in the media, or if federal agents have raided your office, we can provide representation immediately. Our emergency response capabilities and nationwide reach allow us to get to work defending our clients right away.
• Strategic Planning – Once your situation is contained, our political defense team will work with you to develop and execute a strategic defense. This will include not only figuring out how to challenge the allegations against you, but how to do so in the most efficient and most effective way possible.
• All-Hands Defense – When necessary, we provide all-hands defense. Our senior attorneys and consultants work together to quickly and vigorously defend our clients—affording our clients the full benefit of their collective federal prosecutorial, investigative, and defense experience.
• Targeted Resolution – When defending against federal allegations, it is critical to build a defense strategy with a specific targeted resolution in mind. As your defense counsel, we will work relentlessly to achieve our targeted resolution while remaining prepared to adapt to changes in circumstances as necessary.
• Effective Representation – Above all, we provide effective representation for our clients. Our record shows it. Of course, there are no guarantees, but what we can promise is that we will do everything we possibly can to fully protect you, your ambitions, and your political career.

FAQs: Protecting Your Finances, Reputation, and Career as a Politician or Government Official

Speak with a Political Defense Attorney at Oberheiden P.C. in Confidence

If you need federal defense counsel as a politician or government official, we strongly encourage you to speak with a member of our political defense team in confidence. Call 888-680-1745 or contact us online now for a complimentary consultation.

Political Law Compliance Information

• Campaign Donations
• Ethics
• Gifts to Government Officials
• Lobbying
• PAC Audits
• PAC Investigations
• PACs and Other 527 Organizations