Government & Regulatory Investigations
Responding to subpoenas and investigations under the federal fraud, false statement, obstruction, conspiracy, and money laundering statutes, for companies and individuals.
A government investigation begins long before any charge, with a subpoena, a document request, or an interview request. What is said and produced at that stage shapes everything that follows, and the statutes that govern the investigation itself, false statements and obstruction, carry penalties independent of the underlying conduct. The substantive statutes most often at issue for businesses are wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, and the willful violation provisions of the securities laws.
Industria Business Lawyers represents companies, officers, and individuals in government and regulatory investigations in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts, and before federal agencies. If a matter involves criminal charges, we refer it to criminal defense counsel. Every provision cited on this page was read from the United States Code on September 23, 2026. A consultation is free and confidential.
The Statutes That Define the Exposure
The provisions that appear most often in business investigations, quoted from the text in force.
Wire Fraud
18 U.S.C. 1343 reaches whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, transmits or causes to be transmitted by means of wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce any writings, signs, signals, pictures, or sounds for the purpose of executing the scheme.
Mail Fraud
18 U.S.C. 1341 reaches the same schemes where the person, for the purpose of executing the scheme, places any matter in a post office or authorized depository for mail, or deposits or causes to be deposited any matter to be sent by a private or commercial interstate carrier, or takes or receives such matter.
False Statements
18 U.S.C. 1001(a) makes it a crime, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the federal government, knowingly and willfully to falsify, conceal, or cover up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact; to make any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or to make or use any false writing or document knowing it to contain a materially false statement. It applies to statements made to investigators, whether or not under oath.
Obstruction by Destruction of Records
18 U.S.C. 1519 makes it a crime knowingly to alter, destroy, mutilate, conceal, cover up, falsify, or make a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any federal department or agency, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter.
Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. 371 provides that if two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of them do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each is subject to the penalties the section sets.
Money Laundering
18 U.S.C. 1956(a)(1) reaches whoever, knowing that the property involved in a financial transaction represents the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, conducts or attempts to conduct such a transaction which in fact involves the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, with the intent to promote the carrying on of specified unlawful activity, or knowing that the transaction is designed to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds, or to avoid a transaction reporting requirement.
How an Investigation Is Handled
The investigation stage is where cases are won or lost, and it is governed by its own statutes.
The first contact. A subpoena, a civil investigative demand, or an agent at the door starts the clock. Under 18 U.S.C. 1001, knowingly and willfully making a materially false statement in an interview in a matter within federal jurisdiction is a separate offense, and under 18 U.S.C. 1519 knowingly destroying a document with intent to impede or influence a federal investigation, including one that is contemplated, is another. The first step is a litigation hold and a decision, made with counsel, about who speaks to the government and when.
Corporate and individual interests. A company’s interests and an officer’s interests can diverge. The firm advises on when separate counsel is required and on the representations made to employees about whom the firm represents.
Document production. Subpoenas are negotiated as to scope and timing, privilege is asserted and logged, and production is tracked so that the company can show what was produced and when.
Securities matters. 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a) provides criminal penalties for willful violations of the Exchange Act and its rules and for willfully and knowingly making statements in required filings that are false or misleading with respect to a material fact. SEC and criminal investigations can run in parallel, and information given to the SEC can be used in a criminal proceeding brought by another agency.
Resolution. Investigations end in declination, a civil resolution, a negotiated disposition, or charges. The firm’s goal at every stage is the earliest resolution the facts support, and the record built during the investigation is what makes that possible.
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The attorneys were incredibly responsive, guiding me through every step of the process with clarity and professionalism.
They took the time to address all my questions and concerns, ensuring that I felt confident in each decision we made. Their attention to detail and thoroughness were evident in the documents they prepared, which gave me peace of mind. What stood out most was their commitment to my vision. They not only provided legal advice but also offered valuable insights into the industry, helping me navigate potential challenges and seize opportunities.
Overall, working with IBL was a fantastic experience. They made a complex process manageable and stress-free. Thank you for your outstanding support.”
Client testimonials describe individual experiences. You may not obtain the same or similar results.
How We Handle a Government Investigation
Litigation hold, control of communications with the government, and identification of who is a subject, a witness, or a target.
The subpoena or request narrowed as to time, custodians, and subject matter, with deadlines set in writing.
Privileged fact development so that the company knows what the documents show before the government does.
Privilege asserted and logged; production organized, tracked, and certified.
Preparation for any interview or testimony, with 18 U.S.C. 1001 in view.
Presentations to the agency or prosecutors on the facts and the law, at the stage where a declination or narrow resolution is still available.
FAQ
01 • Companies and Individuals Do I have to talk to a federal agent who shows up at my office?
An interview is voluntary, and anything said is measured against 18 U.S.C. 1001, which makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully make a materially false statement in a matter within federal jurisdiction, whether or not it is under oath. The decision whether and how to speak is made with counsel.
02 • Companies and Individuals Can I delete old emails once I hear about an investigation?
18 U.S.C. 1519 makes it a crime knowingly to destroy or conceal any record with the intent to impede or influence a federal investigation, including one that is contemplated. A litigation hold is issued at the first indication of an investigation.
03 • Companies and Individuals What is wire fraud?
Under 18 U.S.C. 1343, a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by false pretenses, representations, or promises, executed through an interstate wire communication such as an email, a call, or a transfer.
04 • Companies and Individuals Can a company and its officers use the same lawyer?
Sometimes, but interests can diverge, and the firm evaluates at the outset whether separate counsel is required and advises employees whom the firm represents.
05 • Companies and Individuals Are securities violations criminal?
15 U.S.C. 78ff(a) provides criminal penalties for willful violations of the Exchange Act and its rules and for willfully and knowingly making statements in required filings that are false or misleading with respect to a material fact. Civil enforcement by the SEC proceeds separately under the same facts.
Companies, officers, and individuals. Call (202) 860-1210 or describe the inquiry through the form. Free and confidential consultation. Every matter is evaluated against the statute text in force.
This page provides general information about government and regulatory investigations under federal law and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Industria Business Lawyers. Whether a claim, defense, or obligation exists depends on the facts and the law in force. Provisions cited were read on September 23, 2026 from the United States Code.