MBT's White-Collar Crime and Internal Investigations Practice Group focuses on the defense of corporations and their executives, public officials and other individuals in matters pertaining to internal investigations, grand jury investigations, and criminal and civil litigation in federal and state court. The Practice Group's attorneys have extensive trial experience and have handled hundreds of internal investigations and audits. A hallmark of our firm is providing practical and effective legal solutions, while carefully managing costs. These attributes have made MBT a go-to firm for some of the country's largest public and private companies.
Working with company officials, audit committees, special committees of boards of directors and in-house counsel, MBT attorneys have helped plan and implement internal investigations involving a wide range of potential or suspected wrongdoing by company employees or vendors. Where necessary, we have prepared voluntary disclosures to government agencies and helped clients implement remedial programs that satisfy government requirements and protect against future misconduct. Many of our successes never become public knowledge because our lawyers have presented convincing arguments to prosecutors and investigating agencies that the client was not involved in any wrongdoing.
When cases go to trial, our trial lawyers have achieved significant results in federal and state court. The cases for which we have been retained often involve complex and multi-party issues. One of the strengths of the Practice Group is that several members have experience as prosecutors. They understand how prosecutors analyze and prepare cases and that knowledge is of great value in developing strategies and options for our clients.
Attorneys in our White-Collar Crime and Internal Investigations Practice Group have handled matters that include:
Cases involving allegations of fraud in investment vehicles and pyramid scams; and cases involving the investigation and litigation of mortgage fraud matters involving mortgage brokers, title company employees and straw buyers.
Cases involving alleged racketeering activity, including embezzlement, forgery, theft, money laundering, counterfeiting, bribery, extortion, and gambling.
Investigations and cases involving government contractors and service providers. The types of fraud have included false and back-dated invoices, inflated and improper expense submissions, payroll fraud, and bribery; cases involving allegations of fraud against purported minority businesses which falsified MBE/WBE certifications to win contracts; and cases involving fraud perpetrated by school district presidents, teachers, administrators, and board members.
Defense of both criminal and civil actions brought by individuals via qui tam, otherwise known as the False Claims Act. We have represented clients at all stages of such actions - from investigation, to grand jury, to trial or a negotiated settlement.
Much of MBT's qui tam/False Claims Act work has been in the area of health care fraud. Attorneys in our group have handled matters relating to pharmaceutical fraud, as well as Medicare fraud and kick-backs.
Investigations and cases dealing with corruption by public officials and employees in Cook County, Chicago, and in many suburban municipalities. Such matters have included the investigation and litigation of bribery cases involving building inspectors, tow truck companies, municipal department employees, and police officers.
Our attorneys work closely with clients to enhance compliance programs that sustain a corporate culture of ethical conduct. Our role in these programs has been to assist clients in managing risks and detecting misconduct. Our work has included creating and reviewing codes of conduct, conducting risk assessments and training programs, designing and implementing audit and corrective action programs, and advising on document management best practices, including document retention, electronic communication and privacy issues.
MBT has a national reputation as a pioneer and leader in legal audits. The firm's audit team possess exceptional skill and proficiency in analyzing and assessing the reasonableness of attorney fees from a legal as well as litigation management perspective. Our attorneys have litigated and provided expert witness services in some of the nation's largest attorney fee disputes, many involving hundreds of millions of dollars.
