“These are really great lawyers.” “I’m appointed for life, there’s no reason for me to flatter anyone, but when I say that I’ve enjoyed your presentation and that I think that you are really, really good lawyers, I mean it.” –– United States District Judge
A government investigation is among the most critical events a company or individual can face. It can mean damage to reputation and market value, heavy fines, banishment from an industry, and even loss of liberty. These high stakes require a skilled and strategic response.
Buchalter’s White Collar & Investigations team has exceptional experience in guiding clients through these treacherous waters. Featuring former Department of Justice and SEC attorneys as well as industry compliance experts, the group balances aggressive advocacy with credible and diplomatic negotiation. Our goal is to end investigations without any enforcement action when possible, and to defeat the government in court when necessary.
We use the same skills to resolve potential issues before the government is ever involved. Where misconduct is suspected or reported internally, we can conduct a discrete and targeted investigation to assess the extent of the problem, evaluate risk, and advise on compliance programs and other remedies. We also litigate business disputes and whistleblower lawsuits involving parallel government investigations or allegations of illegal behavior, where familiarity with both civil and criminal procedure is essential.
The team’s experience in managing the enforcement and investigations process is enhanced by Buchalter’s deep expertise across various industries and practice areas involving singular and multistate actions. As needed, we can draw from specialists in health care law, securities regulation, mortgage lending and banking regulation, anti-money laundering and other banking compliance, trade secrets theft, cybersecurity, and a range of other fields. Leveraging procedural and substantive know-how helps drive both efficiency and credibility.
Our attorneys have investigated and defended matters involving:
- Health care fraud and kickbacks
- Securities fraud
- Anti Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act violations
- Bank fraud
- Mortgage lending practices
- Consumer protection enforcement
- Consumer product safety violations
- Trade secrets theft
- Cybercrime
- FDA violations
- Public corruption
- Multi-state attorney general investigations
Representative Matters
Health Care
- A $900 million DOJ health care kickback case involving dozens of physicians and hospital executives and a sitting California state senator, described as the largest insurance fraud investigation in California history
- The DOJ investigation of a nationwide behavioral health company based on allegations of insurance fraud and kickbacks, as well as a related $80 million civil lawsuit
- The DOJ investigation of a nationwide health care supplies company based on allegations of insurance fraud and kickbacks
- The trial of a $70 million federal criminal health care fraud case involving an outpatient surgery center
- The state Attorney General investigation of a behavioral health company based on allegations of insurance fraud and kickbacks
Securities and Finance
- The trial of a $170 criminal securities fraud case involving the failure of a real estate investment company that Inc. magazine listed as one of the country’s fastest growing private businesses
- A $27 million SEC securities fraud case that ultimately resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision restricting the SEC’s ability to seek disgorgement
- The trial of a $200 million tax refund fraud case involving dozens of charged defendants
- An SEC securities fraud case involving investments in a cannabis business
- The trial and appeal of a $20 million civil bank fraud case
- The trial of a fraud scheme involving bribery of a bank official to circumvent antimoney laundering requirements
- The trial of a multimillion dollar fraud case involving investments in an alternative energy startup company
- The investigation and prosecution of a bank fraud case involving false statements to the Small Business Administration
- The multistate regulatory investigation and litigation by 49 states and resulting in a $325 million settlement involving allegations of unfair and deceptive practices
- Various internal investigations for financial institutions regarding potential antimoney laundering and fraud violations
- Numerous internal investigations for mortgage lenders regarding potential customer, broker, appraiser and/or employee fraud violations
FTC and Consumer Protection
- A $100 million FTC enforcement action billed as the largest alleged “overseas real estate investment scam” case in that agency’s history
- The trial and appeal of an FTC enforcement action alleging false advertising by digital music business
- An FTC investigation involving an international distributor of exercise equipment
- A RICO lawsuit against a $7.3 billion multilevel marketing company
- A $100 million fraud and RICO lawsuit involving the acquisition of a digital marketing company
- An FTC investigation into potential violations of data privacy and security regulations
