Government Investigations

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI maintains the broadest investigative jurisdiction of any federal law enforcement agency. Its investigative programs encompass counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, transnational organized crime, white collar crime, violent crime, and weapons of mass destruction. For purposes of federal criminal defense in the financial and regulatory space, the Bureau's white collar crime and public corruption programs represent the primary points of exposure.

FBI White Collar Crime Program

The FBI's white collar crime work integrates intelligence analysis with investigations of criminal activities including: public corruption; money laundering; corporate fraud; securities and commodities fraud; mortgage fraud; financial institution fraud; bank fraud and embezzlement; fraud against the government; election law violations; mass marketing fraud; and healthcare fraud. These crimes are not violent, but they are not victimless—white collar crimes can destroy companies, wipe out life savings, cost investors billions, and erode public trust in institutions.

Corporate Fraud

As the lead agency investigating corporate fraud, the FBI focuses on cases involving accounting schemes and self-dealing by corporate executives, as well as obstruction of justice designed to conceal criminal conduct. Investigations primarily target falsification of financial information, bogus trades designed to inflate profit or hide losses, and transactions designed to evade regulatory oversight.

Healthcare Fraud

The FBI is the primary federal agency investigating healthcare fraud affecting both federal and private insurance programs. Healthcare fraud causes tens of billions in annual losses, raises insurance premiums, exposes patients to unnecessary procedures, and increases taxes. The FBI works closely with HHS-OIG, CMS, and state Medicaid fraud control units.

Financial Institution Fraud

The FBI investigates mortgage fraud and financial institution fraud through task forces that share intelligence, de-conflict cases, and create joint investigations with regulatory partners.

Money Laundering

FBI money laundering efforts target professional money launderers, key facilitators, gatekeepers, and complicit financial institutions. The Bureau coordinates with FinCEN and international partners to trace criminal proceeds through the global financial system.

Public Corruption

Public corruption poses a fundamental threat to national security and way of life. The FBI investigates corruption involving elected officials, appointed officials, government employees, and law enforcement at federal, state, and local levels—encompassing bribery, extortion, honest services fraud, and violations of federal program integrity.

Cyber Crime

The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating cyberattacks by criminals, overseas adversaries, and terrorists. This threat is serious and growing, with sophisticated criminal enterprises targeting businesses and critical infrastructure through network intrusions, ransomware, data breaches, and cyber-enabled financial crimes.

Strategic Federal Defense Starts Early

Early legal intervention can significantly impact the outcome of a federal investigation or prosecution.