White Collar Defense and Investigations

Patterson Belknap’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Group includes five former federal prosecutors and the former Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, all of whom have extensive trial and litigation experience. The Group represents corporations and individuals in cases involving allegations of securities fraud, health care fraud, antitrust violations, tax fraud, and violations the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Group is known for fighting aggressively on behalf of clients, even in the face of threatened prosecutions and regulatory actions. Our aggressive approach has resulted in the termination of federal and state investigations without charges or penalties.
 
Our representations often include complex civil litigations that arise out of internal investigations and Government scrutiny. In these cases, our team is able to leverage our significant litigation and trial expertise to achieve the best results for our clients. When litigation arises, our attorneys have the experience and know-how to aggressively and effectively defend our clients.
 
Our team and its members are recognized as leaders in the field. U.S. News-Best Lawyers® ranked our practice among the top both nationally and in New York in its “Best Law Firms” survey based on client and peer review. In addition, team member Daniel Ruzumna is recognized in Chambers USA 2012 in the area of white-collar criminal defense and named a "Rising Star" in Benchmark Litigation.
 
Daniel S. Ruzumna spent six years working at the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where he last served as Acting Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, a unit of more than 20 federal prosecutors dedicated to investigating and prosecuting economic crimes and financial frauds. Dan focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense and related regulatory proceedings and internal investigations. He has represented corporations and corporate executives in many recent high-profile criminal and regulatory investigations involving alleged violations of the securities laws, antitrust laws, tax laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Joshua A. Goldberg served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for eight years, most recently as a member of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. In that role, Josh investigated and prosecuted complex white collar cases involving securities fraud, accounting fraud, market manipulation, investment adviser fraud, insider trading and commercial bribery. In 2010, Josh received a Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation for work he had done as a prosecutor in investigating and prosecuting securities fraud at a major international corporation. Josh’s practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, securities fraud and internal investigations representing both corporations and individuals.

Peter C. Harvey is a past Attorney General of the State of New Jersey and a former federal prosecutor; as such, Peter has been a central player in government investigations and consumer fraud matters. During his tenure as AG, Peter negotiated the two largest securities settlement payments in New Jersey history concerning insider trading and market timing cases and acted as one of the lead Attorneys General in several multistate securities fraud settlements. He has represented banks and other financial institutions in litigation regarding fraud and unpaid obligations where reports to and cooperation with law enforcement authorities was required.

Michael F. Buchanan spent more than nine years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where he served as Chief of the Securities and Health Care Fraud Unit, focusing on the investigation and prosecution of criminal violations of the federal securities and health care fraud statutes. He was involved in some of the most significant and high-profile securities fraud prosecutions that the District brought, including overseeing the trial team that obtained the conviction of Walter Forbes, the Chairman of the Board of Cendant Corporation.

Harry Sandick served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted financial fraud cases and other crimes. During his tenure as an AUSA, Harry served as Deputy Chief of the Appeals Unit. He has significant experience in matters related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the regulations promulgated by the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC). Harry’s recent work includes the representation of a taxpayer who was prosecuted in federal and state court for having an undisclosed offshore bank account and the representation of a major investor in Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC in the recent investigation conducted by prosecutors and regulators.

Selected Representations

After the team made a comprehensive pre-indictment presentation to the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, the DOJ agreed to withdraw a target letter issued to a firm client and close its multi-year investigation into alleged price fixing by the client. Separately, an internal investigation by the team and the team's assistance with a presentation to a federal agency eliminated the possibility that fraud charges would be brought against the client based on its contractual services for the agency, and led to the successful renegotiation of the payment terms of the relevant contract.
 
Conducted investigations on behalf of and represented a foreign bank and other corporate and individual clients in connection with allegations of the possible manipulation of the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) and of potential violations of the FCPA, among other things.

FCPA investigation on behalf of a U.S.-based educational institution with operations in the Middle East regarding potential facilitation payments by third party contractors to foreign officials.

Investigation on behalf of an international media company in connection with alleged improprieties in its performance and billing of a U.S. government contract to provide services.

Investigations on behalf of professional sports league regarding allegations that member clubs violated league rules and bylaws.

Representation of a financial advisor and several bankers in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice and SEC investigation into alleged municipal bond bid-rigging in violation of the federal antitrust laws.

Representation of directors and officers named as defendants in multiple shareholder derivative actions arising from allegations of misconduct as a major pharmaceutical company.

Representation of an executive at an international airline in connection with a criminal antitrust investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into alleged price-fixing related to fuel surcharges.

Investigation on behalf of a foreign private equity firm regarding accusations that a principal was engaged in unlawful practices using the firm's facilities.

Representation of a hedge fund portfolio manager in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into alleged insider trading.

Representation of a broker-dealer and investment advisor firm in connection with an SEC investigation into alleged trading improprieties.

Representation of an alternative energy company in connection with recovering restitution against a former section 16 officer convicted of securities fraud.

Representation of the chief executive officer of a telecommunications company in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Pursuant to SEC decree, appointed as the Independent Compliance Consultant to two major mutual fund advisers.

Representation of insurance brokerage firm in connection with U.S. Department of Justice and New York Attorney General’s investigation of contingent commissions and other compensation received from insurance carriers.

Investigation on behalf of large public company into whether a subsidiary and its officer facilitated insider trading in violation of the securities laws.

Representation of an executive and several affiliated entities in connection with an investigation by the New York County District Attorney’s Office into alleged financial improprieties.

Investigation on behalf of a professional sports league into alleged “tampering” by one club in the contract negotiations between a rival club and a player.

Representation of a leading financial and business information provider in connection with allegations of corporate espionage and alleged violations of the federal antitrust laws, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and other state and federal laws.

Defense of an American architect facing federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy and in connection with extradition proceedings brought on behalf of a foreign government.

Representation of an investment advisor and brokerage firm in connection with an investigation by the SEC into alleged securities fraud and violations of Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Represented executives of major pharmaceutical company under investigation for "channel stuffing" and improper handling of accounting reserves.

Representation of investment bankers in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice and SEC investigation into the municipal bond industry.

Representation of the administrator of certified home health agency in connection with a N.Y. Attorney General investigation of alleged Medicaid fraud.

Representation of officers and managers of a major auto parts supplier under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and SEC for alleged securities fraud.

Investigation on behalf of a national law firm regarding alleged bias in the representation of a committee.