Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs): What They Are and How Attorney Michael J. Petro Can Help
Receiving a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the federal government can be an alarming experience. A CID is a powerful investigative tool used by federal agencies to require individuals and businesses to provide information—often before the government files a...
Federal Fraud, Embezzlement & Theft Defense | Michael J. Petro, Criminal Attorney
Federal fraud, embezzlement, and theft charges can expose a person to substantial prison sentences, restitution, forfeiture, financial penalties, and lasting professional consequences.
Federal fraud defense attorney Michael J. Petro represents individuals who are under investigation or...
Federal Money Laundering Defense Attorney
Federal money laundering charges can arise from fraud, drug offenses, health care fraud, theft, public corruption and other alleged criminal activity. These cases frequently involve extensive bank records, wire transfers, business transactions, electronic communications, and other financial evidence.
Federal Price-Fixing Attorney
Federal price-fixing investigations can expose business owners, corporate executives, employees, and companies to serious criminal consequences. These cases often involve extensive business records, electronic communications, cooperating witnesses, grand jury subpoenas, and complex questions concerning whether competitors actually entered into...
Federal Medicare Fraud Defense Attorney
Federal Medicare fraud investigations can expose physicians, health care professionals, medical providers, and business owners to serious federal criminal charges. A conviction can result in imprisonment, substantial financial penalties, restitution, forfeiture, and consequences affecting professional licenses and participation in...
The Lulling Letter Doctrine in Federal Mail Fraud Cases
Federal mail fraud does not always require that the mailing occur before the victim loses money. In some cases, a mailing made after the principal fraud has occurred can still support a mail fraud charge if it was intended to conceal the scheme, reassure a victim, delay investigation, or reduce the likelihood...
Honest Services Fraud and Official Acts in Federal Corruption Cases
Federal prosecutors have powerful statutes available to prosecute public corruption. But federal criminal law does not make every unethical act, political favor, gift, or exercise of influence a federal crime.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly placed limits on federal public-corruption prosecutions.
One of the most important...
Federal Grand Jury Subpoena to an Accountant: Is the Information Privileged?
A federal grand jury can subpoena an accountant and demand financial records, tax information, correspondence, work papers, and potentially testimony concerning a client.
That can pose a serious problem for someone already under federal investigation.
Many clients assume that conversations with their accountant are confidential in...
Federal Sentencing Guidelines Loss Calculation Under U.S.S.G. § 2B1.1
In a federal fraud case, the amount of financial loss attributed to a defendant can have a major impact on the recommended sentence.
Under U.S.S.G. § 2B1.1, fraud and other economic offenses can receive substantial increases in the offense level based upon the amount of loss....
Honest Services Fraud Sentencing: Value of Benefit Received
Honest Services Fraud Sentencing: How Is the Value of the Benefit Calculated?
Sentencing in a federal honest services fraud or bribery case can turn on a deceptively simple question:
What was the value of the benefit received in exchange for the bribe or kickback?