White Collar Defense

When faced with a white collar investigation or indictment, we have the experience to assess your exposure and identify the optimal path forward.

When the Government calls, you need someone who's been there.

The true value of a white collar defense attorney is best measured in indictments avoided and cases settled on favorable terms. Ben Vernia has not only zealously defended criminal cases, he has years of experience in the diplomacy needed to keep a client off of an indictment and out of the courtroom.

For eight years, Ben worked in the Fraud Section of the Department's Civil Division, personally directing dozens of fraud investigations. These suits - many brought under the False Claims Act by qui tam relators - were in the areas of health care, defense procurement, foreign bribery, energy, and transportation.

He then worked in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. As a prosecutor, he investigated, indicted and tried complex Internet crimes featuring multiple targets, money laundering, RICO and tax fraud charges, as well as the search, seizure, and analysis of Internet and computer-based evidence.

Because of his extensive experience in these areas, the Department of Justice selected Ben to instruct federal prosecutors and agents at the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. He has also made presentations on cybercrime law and investigations to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Interpol, and the Organization of American States.

Whether representing a company or its individual employees, the Vernia Law Firm works closely with all parties to achieve the optimal result.

Significant White Collar Cases

The Vernia Law Firm has represented companies and individuals in a variety of white collar cases. Among those that can be publicly disclosed:

A former employee of a software company in a grand jury investigation for violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
The CEO of one of the world's largest banks, in testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
A construction executive who testified in an extortion trial in the successful defense of a suspension and proposed debarment by the Department of Transportation.
A corporate vice president of a pharmaceutical company under investigation for selling an unapproved drug.
A private university under investigation for alleged violations of federal anticorruption laws.
An internal investigation of allegations of customs document falsification for a major American importer.
A personal injury law firm under a grand jury investigation for alleged insurance fraud and conspiracy.