Charles S. Leeper is head of the firm's White Collar Criminal Defense and Corporate Investigations Team and serves as a Managing Partner of the Firm. His practice focuses on the defense of white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions, congressional inquiries and related civil proceedings.
Charlie previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where he investigated and prosecuted an array of complex cases involving white collar offenses, public corruption, asset forfeiture, espionage and terrorism. Charlie also supervised a team of other veteran prosecutors in his capacity as Deputy Chief of the Special Prosecutions Unit.
Charlie has extensive experience defending companies and individuals against allegations of federal criminal violations and civil fraud offenses. The following are examples of successful representations of our clients in various industries who are subject to a wide range of regulatory regimes.
Antitrust
Obtained decisions from the Department of Justice Antitrust Division to decline prosecution in large-scale, criminal price-fixing or bid-rigging investigations on behalf of multiple clients, including:
· a publicly-held manufacturer of chemical analysis and measurement equipment;
· a publicly-held company in the oil and gas services industry;
· a large privately-owned construction company in connection with allegations of bid rigging on USAID-funded construction projects in Egypt;
· the former CEO of a joint venture in the elastomers industry;
· the COO of a major processor in the scrap metal industry;
· the COO of a helicopter transport company;
· a marketing executive for a leading manufacturer of ceramic proppants, an additive used in the oil and gas drilling services industry; and
· a senior executive for a leading manufacturer in the automobile paint industry.
Environmental
Obtained decisions from the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice to decline prosecution in Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and RCRA investigations of a variety of clients, including:
· a large privately-owned construction company in connection with allegations of CWA violations in the construction of a bridge in Tampa Bay;
· a vice-president of a major chemical manufacturer; and
· the CFO of a major coke producer.
Charlie is also representing a major oil and gas services company in connection with the investigation of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Following a four-month trial in the largest ever FCPA prosecution of individuals, obtained dismissal of all charges filed against an in-house attorney in the military products industry.
Obtained a decision from the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to decline prosecution in an FCPA investigation of an insurance company based in a U.S. Territory with regard to financial transactions in Nigeria.
Conducted internal investigations of possible FCPA violations for clients in the electronic components, beverage, medical supply, and oil and gas services industries.
Public Contracts
Obtained decisions from the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to decline prosecution in investigations of alleged corruption in the federal procurement process for contracts awarded to a variety of clients, including:
· computer manufacturers that supplied equipment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration; and
· a major construction company serving as the prime contractor on federal courthouse construction projects.
Charlie also obtained a favorable settlement for a large privately-owned construction company sued by the United States under the federal False Claims Act, following a two-month trial and successful appeal that resulted in an adverse judgment being vacated.
Securities
Obtained decisions from the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to decline prosecution and/or the commencement of enforcement action in securities fraud investigations of numerous clients, including:
· a publicly-traded reinsurer in connection with allegations of insider trading;
· partners and associates in a major law firm in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations of off-balance sheet entities used by Enron;
· sales and marketing executives in connection with parallel criminal and civil investigations arising out of alleged improper revenue recognition in the internet services industry; and
· the CFO of a major hedge fund in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations of alleged failure to disclose beneficial ownership of publicly traded securities.
Ethics and Compliance
Counseled numerous clients on a variety of compliance issues implicating the FCPA, competition laws, and federal procurement requirements.
Preparation of Ethical Conduct codes and rules for implementation by clients and distribution to employees.
Conducted training of client employees on various compliance and ethical conduct matters arising from the FCPA, competition laws, and federal procurement requirements.
Publications
6/25/2010, U.S. Supreme Court: "Honest Services" Fraud Limited to "Bribes and Kickbacks" - Defendant Need Not Acquiesce to Special Interrogatories to Jury to Preserve Appeal
U.S. Supreme Court / White Collar Criminal Defense Alert
Charles Leeper, Michael Miner
1/22/2010, BLACKJACK: 21 Nabbed in Las Vegas in Largest Ever FCPA Sting Operation
FCPA Alert
Charles Leeper
4/11/2008, Ten Myths of FCPA Compliance
White Collar Crime Alert
Charles Leeper
Speaking Engagements
11/16/2010, ACI 24th Annual FCPA Conference
"How to Represent Individuals in FCPA Investigations"
Charles Leeper, Washington, DC
7/6/2008, NASFAA Annual Conference
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Best Practices in Dealing with Program Reviewers, Inspector Generals, the FBI and other Special Guests"
Charles Leeper, Jonathan Tarnow, Orlando, FL