CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND REPRESENTATION IN INVESTIGATIONS

Past Clients

Manhattan investment banker under investigation for rape by the Office of Prosecution for Iceland. After presentation of evidence, authorities ended their investigation with bringing charges against Michael’s client.

Executive charged with felony unlawful audio/video surveillance by the Suffolk County District Attorney.  Michael convinced the prosecutors to dismiss the charges on condition that his client get counseling and therapy.

Teacher accused by a Long Island, New York school district with the abuse of a student. Michael presented evidence and testimony that resulted in her being cleared of the charge.

Executive charged by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York with corporate income tax fraud facing a jail term. Michael obtained probation with a fine for his client.

Trader in inquiry into the purchase and sale of mortgage-backed securities by the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Michael’s team presented evidence that demonstrated his client engaged in legitimate trading activities and no action was taken against him.

Employee in Wall Street financial firm in sexual harassment actions against firm and managing director, filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights, New York State Supreme Court and U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Michael reaped a settlement for his client in the pre-trial stage of the case.

Small cap, publicly-traded company which learned of allegations of criminal activity by its top executives. Michael, retained by the company’s board of directors, conducted an internal investigation with forensic accountants which revealed the commission of federal crimes. Michael assisted the board in turning over evidence  to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York who obtained convictions of the company’s CEO and CFO.

Money manager under investigation by the New York Police Department for alleged child abuse. Michael presented expert testimony from a renowned child psychiatrist which conclusively demonstrated that the allegation was totally unfounded and the investigation was closed with no charges filed against Michael’s client.

Widow and daughter whose homes the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York sought to take in a federal civil forfeiture action. Michael negotiated a settlement whereby they kept their homes.

Doctor under investigation for allegations of improper sexual contact with patient by the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct. Michael’s investigation unearthed evidence that demonstrated the patient had fabricated the accusation and the case against Michael’s client was closed with no action taken.

Student at a New York University accused of use of social media in a disparaging manner. Michael’s client was not disciplined.

Executive charged with embezzlement by the Manhattan District Attorney.  Michael obtained a dismissal by insisting on going to trial when he learned  the prosecutors were not prepared to try the case.

Army officer charged by the Queens District Attorney with felony weapon possession. After making a detailed presentation to the prosecutors, they agreed to consent to a dismissal.

Distributor sued by competitor in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for alleged restraint of trade and antitrust violations.  Michael’s  pre-trial motion to dismiss the case was granted by the court.

Not-for-profit organization concerned about the handling of its finances and retained Michael to conduct an internal investigation. Directing forensic investigators, Michael discovered potential areas of concern and made recommendations to its board of directors to ensure compliance with the law and accepted accounting principles.

Airline employee, with a prior DWI conviction, charged by the Queens District Attorney with Aggravated DWI, Reckless Endangerment and Reckless Driving, resulting in an accident. Although the prosecutors demanded jail time for his client, Michael successfully negotiated a plea with no jail time or probation but a one year conditional discharge.

Facing allegations of financial misconduct by its employees and officials, Suffolk County retained Michael to conduct an independent investigation. Making use of forensic accountants and certified fraud examiners, Michael found that there was no substance or merit to the allegations.

Mother under investigation into alleged abuse and neglect of her children by the New York Administration for Children’s Services. Michael’s efforts resulted in charges not being filed.

CEO facing a charge that he failed to declare over 6 million dollars in income by the IRS in U.S. Tax Court. Deploying his team of forensic accountants, Michael demonstrated to the IRS weaknesses in their case, and was able to effect a pre-trial settlement in which the income at issue was one-sixth of the amount charged.

Student indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney for attempted robbery. After an exhaustive private investigation by Michael which revealed serious credibility issues of the sole accusing witness, he obtained a complete dismissal.

Financial advisor who was maligned by false information posted on blog sites. Michael brought suit against the operators in Manhattan Supreme Court and effected a pre-trial settlement whereby the false information was removed by the operators from the sites and Google.

Student charged with sexual abuse and rape of a teenage girl by the Morris County, N.J., Prosecutor’s Office.Michael replaced defense counsel and, together with his new investigative team, developed evidence and witness testimony that cast serious doubt on the credibility of the accuser and the manner in which the police conducted the investigation leading to his client’s indictment. After he presented this evidence to the prosecution, the indictment was dismissed on their motion.

Executive indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney for felony fraudulent billing of customers facing a prison sentence. Michael secured a plea bargain whereby his client plead guilty to a misdemeanor with no jail or probation but only payment of a fine.

CEO arrested by the FBI for diversion of corporate assets. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York agreed to dismiss the charges after Michael demonstrated that his client was, in fact, acting in good faith to preserve the assets.

Student charged with sexual abuse of his ex-girlfriend by the Brooklyn District Attorney, and facing a 25 year maximum prison sentence. Michael presented expert psycho-pharmaceutical testimony that proved the ex-girlfriend had secretly given his client a mixture of illegal drugs that acted as a “trigger” for his conduct. As a result, Michael’s client was permitted to plead guilty to a non-sexual offense and received probation.

Student charged with felony sexual abuse and criminal strangulation of another student by the Manhattan District Attorney. Michael’s presentation to the prosecutors, based on an extensive investigation and review of the evidence, resulted in the dismissal of all charges.

Company which lost UN contracts due to bribery of UN officials by a competitor.  Michael was brought in to assist counsel.  Within one year of filing the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, they obtained a favorable financial settlement for their client, without motion practice or trial.

Mother charged by the Nassau County District Attorney with endangerment and neglect of her daughter.  Michael demonstrated that the alleged conduct was an aberration, in an otherwise caring and nurturing parent, and the charge was dismissed on Michael’s motion, with the consent of the prosecution.

Business owner under investigation by the Staten Island District Attorney for fraudulent billing of a New York City agency for transportation services. Michael negotiated a corporate plea with payment of fine and no criminal charges against his client or employees.

Student at a New York university charged with violations of the school’s ethics code and facing expulsion. Michael was able to demonstrate to university officials that his client should be readmitted after a suspension and completion of therapy and community service.

Stock promoter charged with paying kickbacks to brokers by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Michael secured a plea deal with probation for his client. Thereafter, Michael successfully fought efforts by the SEC to impose on his client a lifetime ban on participation in penny stocks and negotiated a five year ban to run concurrently with his probation.

Husband charged with murdering his wife by the Nassau County District Attorney, and facing life imprisonment. Michael negotiated a manslaughter plea with a 5 year jail sentence, by demonstrating, with expert psychiatric testimony, that his client’s actions were the result of “extreme emotional disturbance.”

Executive and his spouse charged by the IRS with failing to declare income. Michael’s investigation revealed that his clients were victims of identity fraud and the IRS withdrew its charges.

Student at a Maryland university suspended for a year based on allegations of racial and gender-based misconduct. Michael successfully appealed the disciplinary board’s ruling and his client’s suspension was lifted and he was permitted to return to classes.

Veteran charged by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York with illegally transporting U.S. currency to a foreign country and facing a multi-year jail sentence. Michael obtained a sentence for him of one year’s probation.

Wife of deceased attorney alleged to have conducted a fraudulent scheme using his clients’ funds in grand jury investigation by the Nassau District Attorney. Michael’s clients were found to have engaged in no wrongdoing; been unaware of any alleged scheme and no charges were filed against them.

Investment banker in grand jury investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan into allegations of municipal corruption in Detroit.  Michael successfully obtained immunity for his client.

Student convicted of narcotics distribution. At a post-trial court hearing, Michael convinced the trial judge to throw out the jury’s guilty verdict by presenting evidence that police and civilian witnesses had committed perjury during the trial. Thereafter, Michael persuaded the Suffolk District Attorney to dismiss the indictment. The officers who arrested Michael’s client and testified at her trial were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury.

Businessman charged with running an illegal internet gambling operation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Michael negotiated a no-jail plea disposition for his client.

Research company owner whose industry studies were misappropriated by a competitor.  Michael successfully tried the case, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, obtaining a verdict awarding damages to his client and an injunction against the competitor to cease its unlawful activity.

Student at a Pennsylvania university facing imminent prevention of graduation and loss of his diploma, due to allegation of stalking by a faculty member.  Michael developed evidence that cast doubt on the professor’s credibility to the extent that the university relented and his client was able to graduate, with his class, and receive his diploma.

Doctor charged with child neglect and abuse by New York State and Nassau County Child Protective Services. Michael presented evidence which resulted in the withdrawal of the charges.

Venture capitalist in grand jury investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas into allegations of bank fraud. Michael obtained witness status for his client.

Student arrested for rape of his ex-girlfriend. Michael obtained a pre-trial dismissal by locating, and then presenting to prosecutors in the Brooklyn Family Court, witnesses to whom the ex-girlfriend admitted the sexual contact with his client was, in fact, consensual.

Stockbroker in investigation into securities fraud by the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Michael’s client was not indicted.

Managing partner of investment fund in investigation into stock market manipulation by the SEC. After producing documents and successfully representing his client at a deposition, no charges were brought against his client.

CEO in investigation into criminal tax fraud by the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Michael obtained a declination of prosecution from both offices.

Student at a Pennsylvania university facing expulsion due to the violation of the student code while on school probation. Michael’s efforts resulted in his client remaining in school without further sanctions.

New York State official in investigation by the New York Attorney General, facing obstruction of justice and perjury charges.  Michael replaced existing counsel, and, thereafter, persuaded prosecutors not to charge his client.

Real estate broker in grand investigation into corporate land sale kickbacks by the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Michael convinced prosecutors not to seek his client’s indictment.