Butzel’s White-Collar Criminal Defense Group’s success is built on reputation; track record

Recent law firm win results in client’s full acquittal

DETROIT, Mich. –  White-Collar Criminal Defense is a standout among Butzel’s extensive roster of practice areas. The lawyers who comprise the firm’s White-Collar Criminal Defense team routinely represent corporations and individuals embroiled in criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions.

A recent and significant client victory in a federal courtroom involved a medical doctor who obtained a full acquittal on all charges against him. Initially, the client was charged with 39 counts of Distribution of Controlled Substances, Health Care Fraud and Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. Five of those counts were dismissed during the trial and the jury rendered Not Guilty verdicts on each and every of the remaining 34 counts in the Indictment, a testament to the hard work and advocacy of the Butzel lawyers trying the case which lasted four weeks. The team, led by George Donnini, attorney and co-chair of Butzel’s White Collar Criminal Defense Team, included Joseph Richotte, attorney and shareholder; Victoria Murdoch, senior paralegal; Deb Lemanski, legal assistant; and, Michelle Gillis, legal assistant. Butzel’s co-counsel was Ronald W. Chapman, II, shareholder and chair of the White-Collar Defense & Government Investigations, Chapman Law Group.

“This was a difficult and complex case but through effective cross examination of the government’s witnesses and the presentation of our own defense case, we were able to give our client one of the best Christmas presents he’s ever received in his life – a full acquittal!” Donnini, said. “Our depth and breadth of experience rises to the top each time. We are strategic and methodical in our approach. The hard work and dedication of the attorneys who worked on this case is what led to this fantastic result for the firm’s client.”

Butzel’s White-Collar Criminal Defense Group also includes David DuMouchel, Teresa Taylor, Joshua Chinsky, Damien DuMouchel, Theodore Eppel, and Derek Mullins.

Notably, international, federal, state, and local governments subject both businesses and individuals to an array of laws and regulations. Government agencies are increasingly augmenting their civil enforcement efforts with criminal investigations and prosecutions, thereby raising the stakes for all involved parties. This is especially true for individuals, such as corporate officers, directors, managers, and employees, who may face not only high fines and regulatory repercussions, but also incarceration.

Aside from being reactive, Butzel attorneys help corporate clients develop and strengthen compliance and reporting programs to avoid legal noncompliance. Butzel attorneys routinely counsel its corporate clients before regulators and prosecutors become involved. And, of course, step in during civil and criminal investigations once they have been initiated.

When it comes to addressing other non-criminal, legal issues that arise during such investigations, the White-Collar Criminal Defense Team taps the experience of colleagues in the antitrust, bankruptcy, commercial, corporate, employment, environmental, health care, insurance, real estate, and taxation areas that affords the Defense Team additional depth and breadth to tackle complex issues that may arise. Butzel’s integrated approach helps to resolve clients' matters promptly, efficiently, effectively, and in the client’s best interests.

Butzel’s White-Collar Criminal Defense Group handles all stages of the investigation process, and work with prosecutors and law enforcement officials to secure the best possible outcome for clients. And, when cases cannot be resolved, Butzel’s attorneys are experienced trial lawyers that have handled a significant number of criminal investigations and complex jury trials as well as appeals.

The law firm has vast experience with antitrust enforcement, bank and thrift institute supervision, Clery Act compliance, copyright and other intellectual property violations, customs fraud, cybercrimes, employment issues, environmental violations, government defense contracts, health care, compliance, health care fraud, insurance compliance, mail fraud, mortgage fraud, securities compliance, securities fraud, tax fraud, and wire fraud.

Notably, Butzel has managed federal investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Defense (DOD), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Postal Service, and the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Butzel also has represented clients facing the European Union's Commission on Competition (EC) and Japan's Fair-Trade Commission (JFTC).

About Butzel’s White-Collar Criminal Defense Group

George Donnini – He co-chairs Butzel’s Corporate Compliance, Internal Investigations and Criminal Defense practice. He practices in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, SEC civil enforcement actions, antitrust investigations, and also routinely conducts corporate internal investigations. Due to the expansive nature of fraud claims, Donnini routinely counsels his clients through both criminal charges and civil liability and/or enforcement actions. Accordingly, Donnini must manage complex litigation involving multiple adversaries, multiple jurisdictions, and interrelated issues.

David DuMouchel – He co-chairs Butzel’s Corporate Compliance, Internal Investigations and Criminal Defense practice. His practice is limited to white collar criminal defense, defense of corporations and individuals in criminal and civil antitrust matters, professional licensure and criminal health care, IRS investigations of both taxpayers and professionals, SEC enforcement of corporate executives fraud, public corruption, as well as grand jury investigations, internal corporate investigations and compliance. He has particular expertise in the Clery Act regarding safety and security on campus at higher education institutions.

Teresa N. Taylor – She defends individuals and corporations during investigations and before federal courts, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and other involved federal agencies (BIS, OFAC, SEC, FBI, DHL, IRS, etc.) concerning alleged civil and criminal violations of U.S. trade sanctions and import-export regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and anti-money laundering statutes, and related laws (IEEPA, TWEA, US Patriot Act, ITAR, etc.).

Joshua Chinsky – He focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, investigations, and compliance matters. He has extensive experience counseling clients conducting internal investigations, navigating federal and state criminal and regulatory violations, and advising on military and national security-related issues.

Damien DuMouchel – He concentrates his practice in the area of white-collar criminal defense, corporate investigations, and professional discipline matters for lawyers and judges. DuMouchel has represented numerous individuals and corporations under investigation for, or charged with, antitrust violations, healthcare fraud, False Claims Act matters, extortion, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice. 

Theodore R. Eppel – He is a former state court prosecutor with nearly 20 years of criminal and civil litigation experience. He has defended various high-profile federal and state white-collar criminal cases, involving business offenses, health care fraud, public corruption, regulatory offenses, criminal antitrust matters, tax offenses, securities-related offenses and alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Derek Mullins – He focuses on federal procurement law and litigating complex commercial, real estate, class action, antitrust, and administrative law matters in state and federal courts. He also has experience assisting companies with internal investigations and in responding to civil and criminal inquiries by federal and state agencies.

Joseph E. Richotte – He focuses on complex civil appeals, criminal appeals, and appeals involving the press. He counsels corporations, executives, and other professionals who are under investigation or prosecuted for serious frauds, business crimes, and regulatory offenses.