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  • Insights
  • Join Us!
  • Contact Us
  • PM Staff
PilieroMazza PLLC.
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Audits & Investigations

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Overview

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PilieroMazza serves clients in highly regulated industries, from those in the federal and state procurement space, to healthcare and financial services. A common denominator of these industries is the need for close compliance with the governing requirements and the ability to identify and mitigate associated risks.

PilieroMazza regularly assists clients with audits and investigations to understand and identify possible violations of applicable laws and regulations impacting government contracts, labor and employment, and corporate issues. Our team moves rapidly to perform internal investigations, develop the company’s response strategy, and prepare confidential and privileged reports to give executives and in-house counsel the tools necessary to best address the situation and mitigate business risk.

Noncompliance penalties could include:

  • losing government contractor status for 5 to 7 years;
  • withholding of contractor’s payment;
  • interrupting contractor’s business operations; and
  • paying attorneys’ fees, awards, and damages.

We regularly assist companies in responding to inquiries or subpoenas from the offices of various Inspectors General (IG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and local regulators. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to navigate the interactions with the investigator, develop a strategy, and lead the company’s response. We utilize cost saving e-discovery techniques and, when appropriate, prepare responses and proffers to stop or curtail an investigation. We also negotiate settlements and, if the investigation spawns litigation, we call on our team of skilled litigators.

PilieroMazza handles the full lifecycle of audits and investigations in a wide variety of subject matters.

The types of matters the attorneys at PilieroMazza handle and the services provided include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Procurement fraud, including False Claims Act, small business programcompliance, FAR compliance, cost/pricing/billing issues, and contract performance issues
  • Violations of state and federal labor laws
  • Cybersecurity compliance
  • Compliance with internal human resources policies and procedures
  • Compliance with corporate governing documents, such as bylaws and operating agreements
  • Securities law compliance
  • Crisis management and development and dissemination of internal and external messaging
  • Conducting internal investigations, interviewing witnesses and employees, and preparing confidential and privileged investigation reports
  • Responding to internal whistleblower complaints on a wide variety of issues, ranging from employment law violations to False Claims Actviolations or allegations of embezzlement
  • Crafting required disclosures to state and federal regulators after an internal investigation and strategizing related impact mitigation and post-disclosure negotiations
  • Responding to subpoenas and similar inquiries from state and federal IGs, the DOJ, other state and federal regulators, and suspension and debarment officials
  • Responding to proposed suspension and debarment notices, including internal investigations, implementing corrective measures, presentations to government officials, and negotiating or litigating to resolve the suspension or debarment
  • Defending lawsuits arising out of a federal or state investigations, including False Claims Act and fraud litigation cases 

Examples of audits and investigations matters for which we have been engaged:

  • We have successfully assisted numerous clients in responding to and resolving inquiries from the SBA IG regarding compliance with various small business programs, including responding to subpoenas and interviews with IG agents.
  • We represented a client in a multi-year government investigation relating to our contract billing. Our role included interfacing with the government on behalf of our client, conducting a parallel internal investigation, and drafting reports to company management. Ultimately, the government did not bring charges against our client.
  • We successfully resolved a proposed debarment due to an investigation into allegations of price independence. We assisted the client with an internal investigation, corporate restructuring, and implementation of other measures to demonstrate the company’s present responsibility which led to an administrative agreement with the government rescinding the proposed debarment.
  • We have helped numerous clients to respond to and successfully resolve DOL audits relating to Service Contract Act compliance.
  • We have helped prime contractors prepare for and pass audits of their subcontracting plans by the SBA and the DCMA.
  • We have represented clients in connection with audits of compliance with the limitations on subcontracting.
  • We have conducted internal investigations for clients with suspected billing inaccuracies, including as a result of whistleblower complaints, and counseled them on whether a mandatory disclosure was necessary.
  • We investigated allegations of employee theft and a potential scheme to defraud the company of millions of dollars.

Please contact one of the following attorneys concerning an audit or investigation in:

  • Cybersecurity & Data Privacy – Jonathan Williams
  • False Claims Act – Matthew Feinberg
  • Government Contracts – Isaias Alba
  • Labor & Employment – Nichole Atallah

Read More Read Less

Our People

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Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV

Partner

202.655.4159

ialba@pilieromazza.com

Nichole D. Atallah

Partner

202.655.4185

natallah@pilieromazza.com

Kevin Barnett

Counsel

202.655.4174

kbarnett@pilieromazza.com

Katherine B. Burrows

Partner

301.664.2292

kburrows@pilieromazza.com

Matthew E. Feinberg

Partner

202.655.4177

mfeinberg@pilieromazza.com

Lucian Grove

Associate

202.655.4180

lgrove@pilieromazza.com

Sarah L. Nash

Partner

202.655.4195

snash@pilieromazza.com

Todd M. Reinecker

Partner

301.664.2264

treinecker@pilieromazza.com

James N. Rhodes

Associate

202.655.4169

jrhodes@pilieromazza.com

Jacqueline K. Unger

Partner

202.655.4170

junger@pilieromazza.com

Jon Williams

Partner

202.655.4171

jwilliams@pilieromazza.com

Areas of Focus

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Related Practice Areas

  • False Claims Act
  • Government Contracts
  • Labor & Employment
  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Areas of Focus

PilieroMazza attorneys have experience working on audits and investigations with most federal agencies, including:

  • Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
  • Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
  • Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • Department of Labor (DOL)
  • Department of the Air Force
  • Department of the Army
  • Department of the Navy
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • General Services Administration (GSA)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
  • Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • State and Local Boards of Education
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

Insights

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Articles

  • The FCA at the Supreme Court, Part 1 of 4: The Government’s Right to Dismiss a Whistleblower Claim, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 01.19.23
  • DOJ Recovers Over $5.6 Billion From Fraud and False Claims Act Matters in FY 2021: 6 Key Takeaways, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 02.03.22
  • PPP Loan Fall-Out: Expect More Audits and Investigations, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 01.28.22
  • What Does Bill Cosby’s Overturned Conviction Mean for Your Fifth Amendment Rights Against Self-Incrimination?, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 07.14.21
  • Do Corporations Have Fifth Amendment Rights Against Self-Incrimination? The Corporate Designee’s Rights in a FRCP 30(b)(6) Deposition, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 03.10.21
  • BLOG: Justice Department Issues New False Claims Act Guidance on Cooperation Credit That May Reduce FCA-Defendant Liability, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 05.16.19

View More View Less

Events

  • FCA Implications for M&A Transactions, PilieroMazza Webinar, 07.26.22

News

  • PilieroMazza’s Litigation Group Welcomes Lucian Grove to Its Expanding Team, 06.21.22
  • Partner Todd M. Reinecker Joins PilieroMazza’s Growing Litigation Team, 06.09.21
  • Matt Feinberg Elected a Member of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 01.13.21
  • ANNOUNCEMENT: Jackie Unger Elevated to Counsel in PilieroMazza’s Government Contracts Group, 09.01.20
  • ANNOUNCEMENT: Senior Litigator Stephanie K. Wood Joins PilieroMazza, 02.13.20
Overview Our People Areas of Focus Insights

PilieroMazza serves clients in highly regulated industries, from those in the federal and state procurement space, to healthcare and financial services. A common denominator of these industries is the need for close compliance with the governing requirements and the ability to identify and mitigate associated risks.

PilieroMazza regularly assists clients with audits and investigations to understand and identify possible violations of applicable laws and regulations impacting government contracts, labor and employment, and corporate issues. Our team moves rapidly to perform internal investigations, develop the company’s response strategy, and prepare confidential and privileged reports to give executives and in-house counsel the tools necessary to best address the situation and mitigate business risk.

Noncompliance penalties could include:

  • losing government contractor status for 5 to 7 years;
  • withholding of contractor’s payment;
  • interrupting contractor’s business operations; and
  • paying attorneys’ fees, awards, and damages.

We regularly assist companies in responding to inquiries or subpoenas from the offices of various Inspectors General (IG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and local regulators. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to navigate the interactions with the investigator, develop a strategy, and lead the company’s response. We utilize cost saving e-discovery techniques and, when appropriate, prepare responses and proffers to stop or curtail an investigation. We also negotiate settlements and, if the investigation spawns litigation, we call on our team of skilled litigators.

PilieroMazza handles the full lifecycle of audits and investigations in a wide variety of subject matters.

The types of matters the attorneys at PilieroMazza handle and the services provided include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Procurement fraud, including False Claims Act, small business programcompliance, FAR compliance, cost/pricing/billing issues, and contract performance issues
  • Violations of state and federal labor laws
  • Cybersecurity compliance
  • Compliance with internal human resources policies and procedures
  • Compliance with corporate governing documents, such as bylaws and operating agreements
  • Securities law compliance
  • Crisis management and development and dissemination of internal and external messaging
  • Conducting internal investigations, interviewing witnesses and employees, and preparing confidential and privileged investigation reports
  • Responding to internal whistleblower complaints on a wide variety of issues, ranging from employment law violations to False Claims Actviolations or allegations of embezzlement
  • Crafting required disclosures to state and federal regulators after an internal investigation and strategizing related impact mitigation and post-disclosure negotiations
  • Responding to subpoenas and similar inquiries from state and federal IGs, the DOJ, other state and federal regulators, and suspension and debarment officials
  • Responding to proposed suspension and debarment notices, including internal investigations, implementing corrective measures, presentations to government officials, and negotiating or litigating to resolve the suspension or debarment
  • Defending lawsuits arising out of a federal or state investigations, including False Claims Act and fraud litigation cases 

Examples of audits and investigations matters for which we have been engaged:

  • We have successfully assisted numerous clients in responding to and resolving inquiries from the SBA IG regarding compliance with various small business programs, including responding to subpoenas and interviews with IG agents.
  • We represented a client in a multi-year government investigation relating to our contract billing. Our role included interfacing with the government on behalf of our client, conducting a parallel internal investigation, and drafting reports to company management. Ultimately, the government did not bring charges against our client.
  • We successfully resolved a proposed debarment due to an investigation into allegations of price independence. We assisted the client with an internal investigation, corporate restructuring, and implementation of other measures to demonstrate the company’s present responsibility which led to an administrative agreement with the government rescinding the proposed debarment.
  • We have helped numerous clients to respond to and successfully resolve DOL audits relating to Service Contract Act compliance.
  • We have helped prime contractors prepare for and pass audits of their subcontracting plans by the SBA and the DCMA.
  • We have represented clients in connection with audits of compliance with the limitations on subcontracting.
  • We have conducted internal investigations for clients with suspected billing inaccuracies, including as a result of whistleblower complaints, and counseled them on whether a mandatory disclosure was necessary.
  • We investigated allegations of employee theft and a potential scheme to defraud the company of millions of dollars.

Please contact one of the following attorneys concerning an audit or investigation in:

  • Cybersecurity & Data Privacy – Jonathan Williams
  • False Claims Act – Matthew Feinberg
  • Government Contracts – Isaias Alba
  • Labor & Employment – Nichole Atallah

Read More Read Less

Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV

Partner

202.655.4159

ialba@pilieromazza.com

Nichole D. Atallah

Partner

202.655.4185

natallah@pilieromazza.com

Kevin Barnett

Counsel

202.655.4174

kbarnett@pilieromazza.com

Katherine B. Burrows

Partner

301.664.2292

kburrows@pilieromazza.com

Matthew E. Feinberg

Partner

202.655.4177

mfeinberg@pilieromazza.com

Lucian Grove

Associate

202.655.4180

lgrove@pilieromazza.com

Sarah L. Nash

Partner

202.655.4195

snash@pilieromazza.com

Todd M. Reinecker

Partner

301.664.2264

treinecker@pilieromazza.com

James N. Rhodes

Associate

202.655.4169

jrhodes@pilieromazza.com

Jacqueline K. Unger

Partner

202.655.4170

junger@pilieromazza.com

Jon Williams

Partner

202.655.4171

jwilliams@pilieromazza.com

Related Practice Areas

  • False Claims Act
  • Government Contracts
  • Labor & Employment
  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Areas of Focus

PilieroMazza attorneys have experience working on audits and investigations with most federal agencies, including:

  • Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
  • Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
  • Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • Department of Labor (DOL)
  • Department of the Air Force
  • Department of the Army
  • Department of the Navy
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • General Services Administration (GSA)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
  • Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • State and Local Boards of Education
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

Articles

  • The FCA at the Supreme Court, Part 1 of 4: The Government’s Right to Dismiss a Whistleblower Claim, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 01.19.23
  • DOJ Recovers Over $5.6 Billion From Fraud and False Claims Act Matters in FY 2021: 6 Key Takeaways, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 02.03.22
  • PPP Loan Fall-Out: Expect More Audits and Investigations, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 01.28.22
  • What Does Bill Cosby’s Overturned Conviction Mean for Your Fifth Amendment Rights Against Self-Incrimination?, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 07.14.21
  • Do Corporations Have Fifth Amendment Rights Against Self-Incrimination? The Corporate Designee’s Rights in a FRCP 30(b)(6) Deposition, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 03.10.21
  • BLOG: Justice Department Issues New False Claims Act Guidance on Cooperation Credit That May Reduce FCA-Defendant Liability, The PM Legal Minute Blog, 05.16.19

View More View Less

Events

  • FCA Implications for M&A Transactions, PilieroMazza Webinar, 07.26.22

News

  • PilieroMazza’s Litigation Group Welcomes Lucian Grove to Its Expanding Team, 06.21.22
  • Partner Todd M. Reinecker Joins PilieroMazza’s Growing Litigation Team, 06.09.21
  • Matt Feinberg Elected a Member of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 01.13.21
  • ANNOUNCEMENT: Jackie Unger Elevated to Counsel in PilieroMazza’s Government Contracts Group, 09.01.20
  • ANNOUNCEMENT: Senior Litigator Stephanie K. Wood Joins PilieroMazza, 02.13.20
  • About Us
  • People
  • Services
  • Insights
  • Join Us!
  • Contact Us
  • PM Staff

Washington, DC
1001 G Street NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20001

202.857.1000

Boulder, CO
1434 Spruce Street
Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80302

303.501.1300

Annapolis, MD
1910 Towne Centre Boulevard
Suite 250
Annapolis, MD 21401

410.500.5551

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