Federal enforcement does not flow through a single agency or proceed under a unified theory of prosecution. The investigation that ultimately results in charges against you or your organization may originate with IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI's Financial Crimes Program, the DEA's Diversion Control Division, the Secret Service's Cyber Fraud Task Forces, Homeland Security Investigations, the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations, or the Department of Justice's FCPA Unit—and frequently involves coordination among multiple agencies operating under distinct statutory authorities and investigative methodologies.
Each agency brings different priorities, different expertise, and different leverage points. IRS-CI agents are forensic accountants who trace money through layered transactions. FBI agents build enterprise cases targeting organizational leadership. DEA investigators focus on prescribing patterns and controlled substance diversion. Secret Service agents pursue cyber-enabled financial crimes and payment fraud. HSI special agents investigate transnational criminal networks. Understanding which agency is leading—and which agencies are participating—shapes every strategic decision from the moment you become aware of investigative activity.
MB Law defends individuals and organizations across the full spectrum of federal investigative activity. Our practice encompasses pre-indictment intervention, grand jury defense, parallel regulatory proceedings, and trial representation in matters involving tax crimes, healthcare fraud, controlled substances violations, securities enforcement, public corruption, money laundering, FCPA compliance, and transnational financial crime.
IRS Criminal Investigation is the law enforcement arm of the Internal Revenue Service and, without overstatement, one of the most formidable financial investigation units in the world.
The DEA investigates and enforces the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.).
The FBI maintains the broadest investigative jurisdiction of any federal law enforcement agency.
Beyond its protective mission, the Secret Service serves as the original guardian of the nation's financial payment systems.
Homeland Security Investigations is the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1 et seq.) prohibits U.S. companies, U.S. persons, and foreign companies listed on U.S. exchanges from making corrupt payments to foreign government officials to obtain or retain business.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are the two primary regulatory bodies governing the securities industry
FINRA is a self-regulatory organization with authority to discipline registered broker-dealers and registered representatives.
Federal white collar defense encompasses a broad spectrum of conduct that the government characterizes as financially motivated crime.
In white collar cases more than in virtually any other federal criminal context, the outcome is largely determined before charges are filed.
Since 1970, the federal government has maintained broad authority to monitor the overseas financial activities of U.S. persons.
The government loves coordination. It also loves easy targets. Tax crimes represent the most accessible path to criminal enforcement against individuals
Early legal intervention can significantly impact the outcome of a federal investigation or prosecution.
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