Internal Ethics & White Collar Investigations

There may come a time in an organization’s existence when something goes wrong — sometimes really wrong. If an employee, executive, director, contractor, or other affiliate commits misconduct, the incident may expose the organization to financial or criminal liability. The event may become a breaking news story for every news outlet and social media feed.

Internal Investigations

Adverse events happen, no matter how careful, complete, or rigorous a company’s oversight, handbooks, and operating procedures. Commonplace examples include an employee using the company credit card for personal purchases, a supervisor harassing a subordinate, an employee hurt on a construction site, an executive committing insider trading, or someone violating OSHA, FDA, FDIC, FEC, FAR, FINRA, or any of the hundreds of other federal, state, and local agency regulations.

If something goes wrong, your company, brand, livelihood, and future are on the line. You need to know what happened and be on top of the events, so when the world knocks on your door, you have answers. Having the most complete and accurate answers mitigates criminal, civil, and tort liabilities, as well as social pain and embarrassment.

Quickly recognizing and investigating the allegations before outside organizations (and government agencies) get involved allows you to take immediate and appropriate action, get “ahead of the narrative”, and avoid surprises. In the rare case the misconduct was egregious or criminal, having an independent, complete, and thorough investigation to provide to law enforcement or an oversight agency gives that agency evidence to support recommendations against organizational penalties, fines, and litigation.

Our Experience

The attorneys at MNB Meridian Law have defended against and prosecuted hundreds of internal investigations into employee misconduct, financial crimes, sexual assault and harassment allegations, and organizational-wide matters that were the focus of public attention for months.

The crucial key to successful investigations is taking proactive measures to understand what happened as quickly as possible. Using that information, your organization can take appropriate, legally defensible, and unbiased action based on established laws, regulations, and company policies and procedures. Only then can you have comfort in knowing your assets are protected and liability minimized. MNB Meridian Law attorneys can help you get there.

Contact Us for Internal Investigation Assistance

For assistance with an internal investigation, please contact us by calling 215-268-3003 or using the online contact form. With offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Alexandria, Virginia, MNB Meridian Law serves clients throughout the United States and around the globe.

What We've Done

Former US Marine Sergeant

A Reserve Marine Sergeant voluntarily mobilized for a one-year rotation to Afghanistan and was partially implicated in a “red striping” hazing incident, the investigation of which was badly completed. The Marine initially received non-judicial punishment and was reduced in rank to Corporal for leadership failures because of the hazing, but not…

Former Army Reserve Major Pending Medical Evaluation Board

In 1985, the Major was exposed to radiation from a leaking microwave transmitter. The Officer developed endocrinological disorders and gained more than 100 pounds. He was treated by Army and civilian medical providers over the course of his active and reserve duty statuses, but later discharged due to his weight gain and other factors while pending…

Navy Sailor’s General Discharge and Reenlistment Code Upgraded

A former Navy Sailor was discharged after an administrative separation board that recommended the Sailor be discharged with a General discharge after testing positive on a urinalysis after accidentally ingesting his wife’s ADHD medication. The ADSEP board found that his service up to the positive urinalysis was honorable and had no incidences of…

Army (Reserve) First Lieutenant Misconduct Filed in the Restricted File

In 2014, an Army First Lieutenant (1LT), married to another Army 1LT (assigned to an OCONUS duty station), engaged in an inappropriate (non-sexual but socially intimate) relationship with the wife of a fellow Army Officer. The 1LT-wife reported her husband and the 1LT-husband was issued a Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) and was honorably discharged…

Army Officer Receives $120,000+ in Back Retired Pay

An Army National Guard officer retired from active duty at a lower paygrade than the grade he was wearing due to the then-existing statutory authority. After nearly 15-years applying to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, MNB Law Attorneys successfully argued the correct statutory interpretation and the officer received more than $12…
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