Last Updated on: 20th October 2023, 11:47 am

Is Your Business Under Investigation? How a Federal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Getting that dreaded call or letter that your business is under federal investigation can be terrifying. Your mind races about all the possible criminal violations and penalties you may face. But don’t panic. Hiring an experienced federal defense lawyer can help guide you through the process and protect your rights.

In this article, we’ll walk through some common reasons a business may be investigated, your rights during the process, and how a knowledgeable attorney can defend you. We’ll also share some case studies of businesses we’ve helped in these difficult situations.

Why Is My Business Being Investigated?

There are many reasons the federal government may start looking into your company. Some of the most common include:

• Tax fraud
• Accounting fraud
• Securities fraud
• Bankruptcy fraud
• Money laundering
• Bribery of public officials
• Mishandling or theft of government funds
• Grant fraud
• Defense contracting fraud
• Healthcare fraud like upcoding services or billing for unnecessary procedures
• Mortgage fraud
• Antitrust violations
• Environmental crimes

Often investigations start with a whistleblower complaint from an employee or a report of suspicious activity from a bank. The federal agency may then start issuing subpoenas for records, interviewing staff, and working with informants to build a case.

What Are Your Rights During a Federal Investigation?

The Constitution grants you certain rights during criminal investigations and proceedings. A knowledgeable federal defense attorney can ensure your rights are protected at all times. Some key rights include:

• The right to remain silent – You never have to answer questions from investigators without a lawyer present.
• Protection from unreasonable searches – Investigators need proper warrants to search your business property or access your digital records.
• Avoiding self-incrimination – Your lawyer can interact with investigators on your behalf so you don’t accidentally incriminate yourself.
• Presumption of innocence – The burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove your guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
• Right to an attorney – If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you.
• Protection against excessive fines – Fines must be proportional to the offenses committed.

Violating any of these rights could result in evidence being thrown out or charges dropped. That’s why having an attorney oversee the process is so important.

Avoiding Healthcare Fraud Prosecution

A physician group was being investigated for fraudulent billing practices. We pored through years of records and developed a report showing the billing methods were within industry standards. We negotiated with investigators to avoid criminal charges. The case was settled civilly with no admissions of wrongdoing.

Uncovering the Truth in an Antitrust Case

A corporate client was charged with price fixing and anticompetitive practices. We investigated and found a rogue business unit acted alone without approval from executives. We convinced prosecutors to drop charges against the corporation and individuals except for the responsible business unit personnel. Aggressive investigation exposed the truth.

In all these cases, experienced federal defense lawyers protected the rights of businesses and avoided the worst outcomes. We know how to defend clients against complex federal investigations.