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When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.

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THE BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR.

The BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR!!! Todd changed our lives! He’s not JUST a lawyer representing us for a case. Todd and his office have become Family. When we entered his office in August of 2022, we entered with such anxiety, uncertainty, and so much stress. Honestly we were very lost. My husband and I felt alone. How could a lawyer who didn’t know us, know our family, know our background represents us, When this could change our lives for the next 5-7years that my husband was facing in Federal jail. By the time our free consultation was over with Todd, we left his office at ease. All our questions were answered and we had a sense of relief.

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CFTC Commodity Trading Charge Defense Lawyer

How Does the CFTC Work?

The CFTC is charged with investigations and taking action in cases where illegal trading activities appear to be taking place. The investigation may have to do with any type of domestic or international trading. Swaps, futures, and commodities trading are a few examples that fall under the eye of the CFTC. Another example is when firms do reverse mergers, or take advantage of reverse merger shells, and then conduct illegal/unethical transactions.

The process of investigating and bringing charges involves working closely with the public and a number of government organizations. The Department of Justice and the US Attorney’s Office are prime examples. State governmental agencies may also be involved in the investigations. International governments may also be consulted if the activity involves trades other than domestic ones. Private businesses and even individuals may be sources of information about the alleged fraudulent activity. Along with action taken by the CFTC, the results may also open the defendant to the possibility of criminal and civil action.

Possible Penalties to the Defendant

George FernandezGeorge Fernandez
14:16 30 Apr 24
Excellent 10 out of 10, Helped resolve my case. Jeremy explained everything and made everything easy to understand.
RajRaj
21:33 24 Apr 24
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
Yelva Saint-PreuxYelva Saint-Preux
19:26 19 Apr 24
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Katherine SunKatherine Sun
18:08 18 Apr 24
my lawyer is Alex Zhik. Efficient, patient and professional
Nun yaNun ya
17:48 18 Apr 24
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Keisha ParrisKeisha Parris
20:45 15 Mar 24
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
Taïko BeautyTaïko Beauty
16:26 15 Mar 24
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
K MarK Mar
01:37 25 Jan 24
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
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Being the target of an investigation by the CFTC is nothing to take lightly. That investigation may lead to substantial fines, a full criminal investigation, or a multiplicity of civil actions, up to and including stiff penalties. In terms of operation, the firm or financial professional who is under investigation may be unable to continue conducting business until the matter is resolved. That means facing possible restriction or suspension. Depending on the severity of the charges and the outcome, a permanent loss of the right to trade may occur.

The status of the defendant’s assets may also be in question. It’s not unusual for assets to be frozen until the matter is resolved. While those assets are frozen, it may be difficult to continue operating your firm, or to manage your personal finances responsibly. Never assume that some of your assets are out of reach. Many people find out too late that money and other financial assets they thought were exempt could in fact be seized.

If found guilty, those assets may be used to fulfill the terms of an order restitution. A prison sentence for convicted defendants is not out of the question.

Why a CFTC Subpoena Should Not Be Ignored

Should you receive a subpoena from the CFTC, the last thing you want to do is ignore it. The best move is to hire a lawyer immediately. You have the right to have legal counsel present at any time when you are questioned. A commodity trading charge defense lawyer will be aware of what CFTC actions are in compliance with current laws and will ensure your rights are protected.

CFTC Attorney Proffer

The CFTC proffer is essentially known as “queen for a day.” This is an agreement between attorneys and individuals under investigation. It allows you to tell the CFTC what you know, with protection in later proceedings. Attorney proffers are different and occur when an attorney talks to the government without the client being present.

It is common for an attorney proffer to occur before a client proffer occurs. This allows the government to learn about what the client knows, and will say, without having to negotiate immunity and other information. Attorney proffers are good because they give the attorney an opportunity to influence what the government thinks about the client, and increases the value of the client in the eyes of the prosecutor. CFTC attorney proffers have risks, and the biggest is that what you tell the government – can cause the government to expand the investigation. Government investigations are confidential, and if you over-inform and expand the investigation – you may not even know until it’s too late.

If you’re facing an investigation by the CFTC – we encourage contacting our law firm. During an investigation, prosecutors like using proffer letters to get info from people under investigation, or who are witnesses to crimes. An attorney proffer is something which can help you get preferential treatment if done correctly. Over 95% of people who get charged with a crime get convicted. 90% of people resolve their case with a plea agreement. The government wins most trials, and that’s why many people who are charged with a crime make a deal. Sometimes, the person who makes the deal the fastest – gets the best deal. As a result, engaging in an attorney proffer agreement can be helpful – if you’re the first person to do it.

One of the drawbacks of an attorney proffer is that you’re telling the government things that aren’t necessarily true. You’re exposing yourself to pressure because if the government doesn’t believe you – they can charge you with false statements. Engaging in an unsuccessful interview can create additional crimes if you are giving false statements.

When you engage in a CFTC proffer agreement, it means you can’t be prosecuted for the “item,” you are providing information for. It doesn’t prohibit the government from charging you with OTHER ADDITIONAL crimes it discovers that you committed.

Lawyers You Can Trust

Todd Spodek

Founding Partner

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RALPH P. FRANCHO, JR

Associate

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JEREMY FEIGENBAUM

Associate Attorney

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ELIZABETH GARVEY

Associate

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CLAIRE BANKS

Associate

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RAJESH BARUA

Of-Counsel

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CHAD LEWIN

Of-Counsel

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Criminal Defense Lawyers Trusted By the Media

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