Government Investigation

Federal civil and criminal investigations involving government contracts and healthcare fraud require seasoned counsel to help you navigate these tough times. Your business reputation and your career are in jeopardy.  Watson & Associates’ national Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department helps Federal Contractors and health professionals to aggressively push to Get Cases Dismissed or resolved early.

The presumption of innocence is still well and alive in our constitution. However, the reality is that targets to an investigation can face serious liability regardless of whether their actions are a mere mistake, acting with no intent to defraud the federal government.  You still have to undergo the stress and humiliation of a government investigation or, ultimately, a trial for government contract fraud.

Our job as government investigation lawyers and white collar investigations attorneys is to get to the bottom of the case immediately, interact with government investigations attorneys and focus on getting cases dismissed or investigations to go away. 

What You Should Know About Government Investigations

The primary investigators of government contract and procurement fraud are the offices of Inspectors General  (OIG) the Defense Procurement Fraud Unit within the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). The main issues that arise in a government contractor fraud case include making false statements, submitting false claims, mail or wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, bribery, illegal gratuities, or racketeering. Conviction for any of these procurment fraud criminal offenses carries the possibility of serious fines and imprisonment.

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Under federal contractor fraud cases, corporations and or individuals may be held criminally liable. the OIG and DOJ tend to focus on very common issues such as defective pricing, mischarging, product substitution, and bid collusion.

A grand jury must consider any criminal charges that may be brought against a contractor for procurement fraud, and upon conclusion of its investigation, either indict the contractor or refuse to do so. The grand jury may subpoena both documents and witnesses. Guidelines are outlined to alert government contractors to some of the problems they may encounter in procurement fraud investigations and to help them take measures to prevent such problems.

OIG Investigation Lawyers

Facing An OIG Investigation Or Civil Investigative Demand? Our Defense Team Can Help.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigates healthcare fraud and suspected waste,  Medicare fraud and Medicaid in the various(HHS) programs. If you are under OIG investigation or have received a Civil Investigative Demand or subpoena from the OIG, federal investigation fraud lawyers can help. Call us at 1.866.601.5518.

Government Fraud Investigation Lawyers & White Collar Investigations Attorneys With National Reach

 At Watson & Associates LLC, our government investigation lawyers understand the serious challenges and potential civil and criminal consequences that businesses and individuals face when confronted with federal investigations. Our seasoned government contracting investigation counsel and white collar investigations attorneys have expertise in handling a wide range of government inquiries by each federal law enforcement agency. ( SEC, HHS, FBI, DOJ, OIG, SBA OIG), providing our clients with the unwavering support and strategic legal counsel they need to navigate this complex and often intimidating federal investigation process.

Government Fraud Lawyers – Types of Federal Government Investigations We Handle

As federal DOJ and OIG investigation lawyers, our federal government fraud lawyers only handle government investigations that involve federal procurement.

This could range from False Claims Act allegations (civil and criminal); Trade Agreements Act TAA compliance investigation; Buy American Act or BAA compliance investigation, SBA small business violations ( HUBZone, SDVOSB, 8(A) BD and more).

When government contractors or individuals and investigated for any matter relating to federal government procurement, our government investigations lawyers step and in guide you through the investigation process.

Areas of Focus

• Anti-bribery and anti-corruption (FCPA)
• Anti-money laundering
• Buy American Act fraud criminal and civil investigation
• Compliance and ethics program investigations and counseling
• Congressional investigations
• Educational institution investigations and enforcement
• Environmental civil investigations and enforcement
• Export control and sanctions enforcement
• False Claims Act investigations, litigation, and enforcement
• Government contract investigations and enforcement
• Healthcare Enforcement & Healthcare Fraud
• Inspector general civil investigations
• Political investigations, litigation and enforcement
• Securities enforcement and litigation
• Strategic risk and crisis management
• Trade Agreements Act (TAA Compliance)
• White collar defense 

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OIG or DOJ Civil Investigative Demands (CID) and Subpoeanas

During a federal investigation, the investigative agency often serves criminal subpoenas and or civil investigative demands. The requests force you to turn over a multitude of business and personal documents. Oftentimes, federal agents would demand testimony.

Watson’s government investigation lawyers frequently help individuals, small businesses and defense contractors to respond to civil investigative demands or subpoenas in federal criminal cases. As corporate investigation lawyers,  we understand the issues that can arise when privileged or protected information is turned over to federal prosecutors. Our goal is to make sure any constitutional rights to self-incrimination are not waived.

Government Investigations – FAQs

How Long Do Federal Contractor Civil Investigations Last?

Government investigations involving allegations of government contractor fraud can last months or it last years. There are no set guidelines. The federal prosecutors can take as long as they like.

How to Defend Against a Government Investigation?

If you are the subject of a federal crime investigation, you won’t know until the prosecution has gathered most of the evidence against you. Immediately find a. federal government investigation defense attorney to represent you.  The reality is that once the federal has gathered its evidence, it will try to get a confession from you. Your best defense is to use your right to remain silent around any federal officers because they may use what you say as a confession.

What Happens During a Federal Investigation?

If you are investigated by the DOJ or OIG, the government generally starts the investigation process by requesting documents and information. This is usually accomplished by a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) or subpoena.   When you receive a target letter, civil investigative demand, or subpoena, our investigative attorneys are immediately involved and get to the bottom of the allegations to see if the government has merit in the allegations.   

Our investigative lawyers will investigate the crime and obtain evidence that could potentially exonerate you and make the case go away. If not, we certainly investigate to make the prosecution’s case more difficult to prove.

Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliance Government Investigation Lawyers

Top government investigation lawyer firm in Washington DC: The Trade Agreement Act seeks to foster fair international trade. Non-compliance or fraudulent activity can lead to significant penalties. Our team of TAA compliance investigations lawyers help with OIG subpoena and DOJ Civil Investigative Demands, seasoned in government contract investigation laws, ensure that you understand these regulations and are armed with a formidable defense should investigations arise.

Qui Tam Government Investigations Attorneys & Buy American Act (BAA) False Claims Act Investigations

As white collar investigations attorneys, we comb through your company operations and sift through materials provided during DOJ and OIG government investigations.  Where your whistleblower case is, we represent you in Qui Tam investigations alleging Buy American Act compliance violations.

As DOJ and OIG subpoena attorneys, we help you prepare a legal defense while protecting your constitutional rights not to incriminate yourself.  BAA compliance promotes purchasing American products, ensuring that the U.S. government procures domestic goods. Inadvertent errors in compliance can draw scrutiny.

 Our white collar defense litigation and government investigation lawyers help you navigate these complexities, minimize risks, and handle any resulting BAA investigations with tact and expertise. Call our government investigations attorneys today for urgent legal assistance for OIG investigations.

False Claims Act Government Investigation Attorneys (Criminal and Civil Fraud)

Federal government fraud law firm: When you are facing government investigations stemming from alleged False Claims Act violations, we represent federal government contractors and defend clients from federal investigation agency horrors and stress.

Given the complex nature of the FCA charges against companies doing business with the government, our False Claims Act government investigation lawyer provide intense focus on getting cases dismissed or presenting a fair opportunity to settle the matter.

White Collar Defense Attorneys Health Care Fraud Criminal and Civil Investigations 

FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General usually investigate health care fraud cases.  Federal investigators have increasingly targeted healthcare providers through False Claims Act civil investigations.

The healthcare industry is very highly regulated across the United States. For pharmaceutical companies,  providers and manufacturers, it is not unusual to receive a. DOJ “civil investigative demand” or “grand jury subpoena” as part of a civil or criminal government investigation.

A civil investigative demand (“CID”) is a discovery tool used by government law enforcement agencies to obtain sensitive information in civil investigations before a complaint has been filed. A grand jury subpoena is issued to gather evidence in a criminal investigation.

Our healthcare fraud investigation attorneys have the experience to protect you from unjust liability under the False Claims Act and fight for a fair resolution.

As white collar health care fraud defense attorneys and government investigation lawyers attorneys and government fraud lawyers, we understand the challenging healthcare regulatory landscape and strive to provide you with proactive counsel to help you stay ahead of potential audits and investigations before they even happen. 

DOJ or OIG Subpoena Response Law Firm

Facing a DOJ or OIG Investigation Or Issued a Civil Investigative Demand? Our Federal Government Fraud Law Firm Can Help

Federal investigation agencies such as the DOJ and OIG aggressively investigate suspected government contract fraud or other white collar crime  If you think your company is under fraud and civil investigations or have received a target letter or Civil Investigative Demand, our government contract OIG subpoena response attorneys can help.

Government Contractor Fraud Investigations – Why Choose Watson & Associates LLC?

• As your OIG subpoena response law firm,  we can represent government contractors from the investigative stage all the way through trial: As  procurement fraud investigation lawyers  are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of legal representation tailored to their specific needs and circumstances 

• We Understand the Government Procurement Rules: Government contracting is what we do every day. Compared to traditional government investigations attorneys, we understand the underlying reasons why government contractors are investigated. Without this experience, small businesses and federal contractors find themselves indicted and or criminally convicted.

• Over 30 years of Combined White Collar Defense and Procurement Experience and We Know How to Push Back: We have experience defending government contractors and individuals who are investigated by the federal government or dealing with DOJ Civil Investigative Demands.

Government contractors get indicted and ultimately convicted of crimes involving federal contracts simply because traditional defense attorneys are not experienced in federal procurement laws. In order to minimize convictions and jail time, you must have top criminal and government contract fraud and investigation attorneys on your team. Our Government investigation defense attorneys provide both.

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