Houston Government Contracts Attorney
Houston Government Contracts Attorney | Federal Investigation Defense | Emergency Response 24/7
URGENT: Federal Investigation of Your Government Contracts?
If federal agents have contacted your company, served search warrants, or you’ve received subpoenas regarding government contract fraud allegations, your business and personal freedom are at immediate risk. Every decision you make in the next 24-48 hours could determine whether you face criminal charges, lose all government contracts, or successfully navigate this crisis.
Our national lead attorney, Theodore P. Watson, is a US Supreme Court licensed attorney with extensive federal criminal defense experience who is committed to defending healthcare providers against fraud charges.
CRITICAL: Do not speak to federal agents without an attorney present. Do not alter contract documents. Contact our Houston government contracts attorney team immediately at 1.866.601.5518.
When Your Company’s Future Hangs in the Balance
The call comes without warning. Federal agents are at your door. A subpoena demanding years of contract documents. Suddenly, the government contracts that built your business have become the weapon pointed at your company’s survival. We understand the terror that grips executives when they realize their $3 million, $10 million, or $100 million company could disappear overnight because of a government contract investigation.
Our Team of Houston Government Contracts Attorneys
Watson & Associates has assembled a team of attorneys nationwide who help clients defend against federal government contract investigations and procurement fraud charges. We work with qualified attorneys across all 50 states to provide comprehensive defense for companies facing the most serious government contracting allegations.
Theodore Watson, admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, leads our legal team while coordinating with experienced government contract law attorneys who understand both the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the criminal statutes that federal prosecutors use to destroy businesses.
Why Houston Companies Choose Our Team:
Our team understands that government contract law intersects with criminal law in ways that can devastate unprepared companies. We help clients navigate the complex web of federal regulations while defending against criminal charges that can result in prison time, massive fines, and permanent debarment from government contracting.
Book a Call and Get An Emergency Legal Team Assembled Now" - Call: 1 (866) 601-5518
The Reality Small Businesses and Defense Contractors Face
Every day, successful Houston companies discover that a billing error, a compliance oversight, or a misunderstood regulation has triggered a federal investigation that threatens everything they’ve built. The government has unlimited resources, teams of prosecutors, and the power to destroy your business with a single indictment. You have one chance to respond correctly.
What Triggers Federal Government Contract Investigations
Billing and Invoice Issues: The government scrutinizes every invoice submitted under federal contracts. Allegations of inflated costs, duplicate billing, or charging personal expenses to government contracts can trigger False Claims Act investigations that result in both civil and criminal penalties.
Compliance Violations: Federal contractors must comply with hundreds of regulations, including the Buy American Act, Trade Agreements Act, Service Contract Act, and Davis-Bacon Act. Violations that prosecutors claim were “knowing” can become criminal charges carrying prison sentences.
Procurement Fraud Allegations: The government aggressively prosecutes bid rigging, kickbacks, product substitution, and false certifications. Houston procurement fraud lawyer cases often involve allegations that contractors misrepresented their qualifications, capabilities, or compliance status to win contracts.
False Claims Act Violations: The most dangerous weapon in the government’s arsenal, the False Claims Act allows prosecutors to seek treble damages plus penalties of up to $27,018 per false claim in 2025. Criminal violations carry up to five years in federal prison.
The Federal Investigation Process: What Happens Next
Understanding how federal investigations unfold is crucial for Houston government contractor fraud attorney cases. The process moves faster than most executives expect, and critical decisions must be made immediately.
Phase 1: Initial Investigation (Weeks to Months)
Federal investigations often begin with whistleblower complaints, competitor reports, or routine audits that uncover irregularities. During this phase, government auditors review contract files, interview employees, and analyze financial records. This is often your last opportunity to resolve issues before criminal prosecutors become involved.
Phase 2: Criminal Investigation (Months to Years)
Once investigators determine potential criminal violations exist, the case escalates to federal prosecutors. Grand jury subpoenas demand documents and testimony. Search warrants may be executed at your business premises. Employee interviews become formal interrogations where anything said can be used to build criminal cases.
Phase 3: Prosecution Decision (Months)
Federal prosecutors decide whether to file criminal charges based on evidence strength, dollar amounts involved, and cooperation levels. Factors include the perceived intent to defraud, actual losses to the government, and the deterrent effect of prosecution.
Phase 4: Charges and Resolution (Months to Years)
If charges are filed, the case enters federal court, where pre-trial motions, discovery, and plea negotiations occur. Most cases resolve through plea agreements, but some proceed to trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Devastating Consequences of Government Contract Fraud Convictions
The penalties for government contract fraud extend far beyond criminal sentences. Companies face a cascade of consequences that can destroy decades of business building.
Criminal Penalties
Prison Sentences: False Claims Act violations carry up to 5 years per count. Wire fraud and mail fraud carry up to 20 years per count. Major fraud against the government carries up to 10 years. Conspiracy charges add up to 5 years.
Financial Penalties: Criminal fines reach $250,000 per individual count and $500,000 per organizational count. Restitution equals the government’s actual losses. Asset forfeiture can seize property derived from fraudulent conduct.
Civil Penalties
False Claims Act Penalties: In 2025, civil penalties range from $13,508 to $27,018 per false claim, plus treble damages equal to three times the government’s losses. A company submitting 100 allegedly false invoices could face penalties of over $2.7 million, in addition to treble damages.
Business Consequences
Mandatory Debarment: Government contract fraud convictions result in mandatory debarment from federal contracting for a minimum of three years. This prohibition extends to all federal agencies and effectively ends the ability to do business with the government.
Reputation Destruction: Government contract fraud convictions become public record, destroying relationships with customers, suppliers, and financial institutions. The stigma often proves more devastating than the legal penalties.
Critical Mistakes That Destroy Companies
We’ve seen successful Houston companies make devastating mistakes when federal agents arrive. These errors turn manageable situations into criminal cases that destroy businesses and send executives to prison.
Talking to Federal Agents Without Counsel
The most dangerous mistake executives make is believing they can explain away problems or convince agents that violations were unintentional.
- Federal agents are trained interrogators who use every statement to build criminal cases.
- Anything you say will be used against you, even if you believe you’re helping your case.
Destroying or Altering Documents
Panic leads executives to hide or destroy documents they believe are problematic. This transforms the underlying investigation into obstruction of justice charges that carry severe penalties and make your situation exponentially worse. Federal investigators can recover deleted files and will prosecute document destruction aggressively.
Failing to Implement Legal Hold
Companies often continue routine document destruction policies during investigations, inadvertently destroying evidence that could prove their innocence. Immediate implementation of litigation hold procedures is essential to preserve all relevant materials.
Delaying Legal Representation
Many executives believe they can handle the initial stages of investigations themselves or with general business counsel. Government contract law intersects with criminal law in complex ways that require specialized expertise. Delays in obtaining proper representation often result in irreversible damage to defense options.
Continuing Business as Usual
Companies under investigation often continue submitting invoices and performing contract work without understanding how ongoing activities might be interpreted as additional violations. Every action during an investigation is scrutinized for evidence of criminal intent.
Book a Call and Get An Emergency Legal Team Assembled Now" - Call: 1 (866) 601-5518
Why Houston Government Contracts Attorney Expertise Matters
Federal Government contract law represents one of the most complex areas of federal law, intersecting criminal statutes, civil regulations, and administrative procedures in ways that can trap even well-intentioned companies. Our team helps clients navigate this dangerous landscape while protecting their businesses and freedom.
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Expertise
The FAR contains thousands of pages of regulations governing federal contracting. Violations that prosecutors claim were “knowing” can become criminal charges. Our team understands how compliance failures escalate into criminal cases and how to demonstrate good faith efforts to comply with complex regulations.
Houston Federal Court Experience
Federal cases in the Southern District of Texas require knowledge of local procedures, prosecutor practices, and judicial preferences. Our team’s experience in Houston federal courts provides crucial advantages in defending government contract cases.
Industry-Specific Knowledge
Houston’s economy depends heavily on energy, aerospace, healthcare, and construction companies that hold significant government contracts. Our team understands the unique challenges these industries face and how regulatory complexity can create criminal exposure.
Crisis Management Expertise
Government contract investigations require immediate response to protect both legal rights and business interests. Our team provides 24/7 availability for companies facing federal agents, search warrants, or grand jury subpoenas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if federal agents want to interview me about government contracts?
Do not speak to federal agents without an attorney present. Politely decline the interview and contact our Houston government contracts attorney team immediately at 1.866.601.5518. Anything you say can be used to build criminal cases against you and your company.
How quickly do I need to respond to a federal investigation?
Federal investigations move rapidly, and critical decisions must be made within hours or days. Document preservation requirements begin immediately. Employee instructions must be implemented within 24-48 hours. Legal representation should be obtained before any interaction with federal agents.
What are the penalties for government contract fraud in Houston?
Criminal penalties include up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud, up to 10 years for major fraud against the government, and up to 5 years for False Claims Act violations. Civil penalties under the False Claims Act can reach $27,018 per false claim plus treble damages. Mandatory debarment prohibits future government contracting.
Can my company continue operating during a federal investigation?
Companies can often continue operating during investigations, but every action is scrutinized for evidence of additional violations. Immediate legal guidance is essential to avoid actions that could be interpreted as obstruction or additional criminal conduct.
How long do federal government contract investigations take?
Federal investigations can take months or years to complete. The timeline depends on case complexity, cooperation levels, and prosecutor priorities. Early intervention by experienced government contract law attorneys can often expedite resolution and minimize damage.
What is the difference between civil and criminal government contract cases?
Civil cases seek monetary damages and administrative remedies like debarment. Criminal cases can result in prison sentences, criminal fines, and permanent criminal records. Many cases involve both civil and criminal components, requiring defense strategies that address both aspects.
Should I cooperate with federal investigators?
Cooperation decisions require careful analysis of the specific situation and potential consequences. Cooperation can sometimes lead to reduced penalties, but it can also provide evidence for criminal prosecution. These decisions should only be made with experienced legal counsel.
Your Company’s Future Depends on What You Do Today
Federal government contract investigations destroy unprepared companies. The government has unlimited resources, experienced prosecutors, and the power to end your business with criminal charges and debarment. You have one opportunity to respond correctly.
Every hour that passes without proper legal representation increases your risk. Federal agents are building their case while you read this. Prosecutors are analyzing your documents and interviewing your employees. Your competitors may be positioning themselves to take your government contracts.
Don’t let a government contract investigation destroy everything you’ve built. Contact our Houston government contracts attorney team now for emergency consultation.
Book a Call and Get An Emergency Legal Team Assembled Now" - Call: 1 (866) 601-5518
Watson & Associates LLC*
Houston Government Contracts Attorney
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