Category Archives: Indictment

Guns, Not Drugs—Two Recent Arms Export Control Act Prosecutions

Posted on September 24, 2014 by

If a lawyer at a cocktail party introduces himself to you as an “international trade lawyer,” would you think “oh, how boring”? You shouldn’t. There may be some less-than-exciting aspects of trade law (see, e.g., anti-dumping work) but this regulatory … Continue reading →

Posted in Indictment, International Trade Violations | Tagged | Leave a comment

Chief Justice Roberts Is On the Side of Criminal Defendants? His Best Quote Yet

Posted on July 11, 2014 by

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel. The Fifth Amendment establishes the grand jury. What happens when the right to counsel conflicts with the grand jury’s role? The grand jury wins. So says the United States Supreme Court in … Continue reading →

Posted in Appeal, Criminal Forfeiture, Indictment | 1 Comment

Why Is It So Hard To Defend Against Insider Trading Charges? Qualcomm Employees Face SEC and Criminal Charges

Posted on May 28, 2014 by

In February 2014, Chinese antitrust regulators announced that they suspected wireless technology company Qualcomm Inc. of overcharging its customers and abusing its powerful market position. According to reports, Qualcomm could face fines of up to $1 billion (cue Austin Powers-like … Continue reading →

Posted in Indictment, Insider Trading, SEC Investigation, Securities fraud, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Was There a Fox in the Henhouse? Corporate Auditor at Public Company Charged with Insider Trading

Posted on February 12, 2014 by

As someone who handles litigation and white-collar criminal matters, I’m often troubled by my clients’ corporate audit department. It will author lengthy, non-privileged reports about processes at companies that don’t work. Those reports put everyone on notice about those failing … Continue reading →

Posted in Indictment, Insider Trading, SEC Investigation | Tagged | 2 Comments

It’s Not Easy Being Green: Feds Indict Biofuel Executives For a $100 Million Fraud

Posted on December 5, 2013 by

The government loves to encourage us to be “green.” Drive a Prius and get a tax credit. Put solar panels on your house and get a tax credit. Heck, buy the right kind of heat pump for your house and … Continue reading →

Posted in Conspiracy, Criminal Investigation, Environmental Crimes, False statements, Indictment, Obstruction, Wire Fraud | Tagged | Leave a comment

Special Victims Unit: Sports Stars?

Posted on November 21, 2013 by

In certain fraud cases, defendants allegedly target groups of victims, such as the elderly or members of an ethnic or religious group (commonly known as “affinity” fraud). But, today, I bring you two cases that involve a very specialized group: … Continue reading →

Posted in Conspiracy, Indictment, Investor fraud, Mail Fraud, Money Laundering, Plea Agreement, Wire Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

Protecting Trade Secrets—Even for Eli Lilly—Is No Easy Matter: Two Scientists Indicted for Sharing Research with Chinese Competitor

Posted on October 29, 2013 by

Trade secret cases are fascinating. They give some insight into how companies develop research; how valuable that research is; and the steps these companies take to protect research from being leaked to competitors. Trade secrets are stored on computers, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Conspiracy, Indictment, Trade Secrets | Tagged | 2 Comments

Corporate Kickback Charges That Involve Private Jets, A “Gentleman’s Club” and Marketing for Pharmaceutical Companies

Posted on October 15, 2013 by

Michael Mitrow, Jr. and his brother Matthew Mitrow were recently charged in a superseding indictment for a corporate kickback scheme in the Southern District of New York. The Brothers Mitrow were executives of an unnamed marketing agency. According to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Bribery, Conspiracy, Criminal Investigation, Honest Services, Indictment, Kickbacks, Mail Fraud, Tax fraud, Wire Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bernie Madoff Accountant Faces Parallel DOJ and SEC Cases

Posted on October 1, 2013 by

A lot of people have faced charges in the Bernie Madoff scandal over the past few years. Madoff’s accountant, David Friehling, pleaded guilty to falsifying documents. Madoff’s son Peter pleaded guilty to several criminal charges and was sentenced to ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Indictment, Investor fraud, Securities fraud | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Seven Years in Prison for $520,000: Airline Executive Sentenced for Accepting Kickbacks

Posted on September 17, 2013 by

Ryan International Airlines has had a couple of rough years. The company had once found success flying mail for the U.S. Postal Service and providing military transport for personnel and cargo. But as military spending declined, Ryan found its revenues … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Bribery, Honest Services, Indictment, Kickbacks, Plea Agreement, Wire Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment