Overview
Carlton Fields' white collar and investigations team draws on the experience of former federal and state prosecutors, public defenders, and regulators to represent corporations, financial institutions, boards, executives, and other individuals in criminal, civil, regulatory, and enforcement matters across government agencies and jurisdictions. This firsthand understanding of how authorities investigate, charge, and resolve these matters allows us to provide practical, integrated counsel at every stage.
We conduct internal investigations, respond to grand jury, regulatory, and whistleblower inquiries, and design and strengthen compliance programs. We defend clients in parallel civil enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions, complex litigation, and trials involving allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, market manipulation, money laundering, trade secret theft, OFAC sanctions violations, and other business crimes, including matters involving cryptocurrency and asset forfeiture.
We coordinate with clients' legal, governance, and communications teams from the earliest stages of an investigation or enforcement action to assess exposure, protect privilege, manage reputational and business risks, and pursue a unified strategy. We seek efficient, discreet resolutions that avoid charges, litigation, and adverse publicity. If litigation or trial becomes necessary, our attorneys draw on courtroom experience and firmwide resources to mount a trial-ready defense.
Offers clients wide-ranging litigation expertise across both civil and white-collar crime issues. Held in high regard for its criminal defense and government investigations work and excels in an array of areas including healthcare, tax and securities fraud cases.
Experience
Represented a health care company in a qui tam action alleging the fraudulent submission of Medicare and Medicaid claims. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal with prejudice, agreeing that the relator had not pleaded sufficiently detailed allegations under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b). United States v. HPC Healthcare Inc., 723 F. App'x 783 (11th Cir. 2018).
Obtained a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning a client's conviction for honest-services fraud for actions taken when he was a private citizen serving as a campaign manager, not a public official. The Supreme Court rejected the theory that all private citizens with mere influence or de facto control over government decisions owe a fiduciary duty to the public. It held that such a rule was too vague and could encourage arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. Percoco v. United States, 598 U.S. 319 (2023).
Defended a service-disabled veteran-owned small business in a criminal antitrust investigation involving allegations of collusion. The investigation concluded without charges.
Represented a business owner who was the target of a criminal tax investigation involving a false claim for refund. The investigation concluded without charges.
Defended a real estate developer and development company in a criminal environmental investigation. The investigation concluded without charges.
Conducted an internal investigation of a municipal corporation regarding allegations of conflicts of interest and other misconduct related to the modification of the municipality's comprehensive zoning and land development code and related development project application approvals.
