Governmental Investigations and Enforcement Actions (Public)

• Conducted internal investigation for GTE regarding allegations that company managers made misrepresentations to the California Public Utilities Commission. Conducted investigation with former Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Malcolm Lucas, and submitted comprehensive report to the GTE Board of Directors and CPUC.


• Defending State Farm General Insurance Company in action by State of California to invalidate settlement agreement resolving California Department of Insurance investigation of claim handling in Northridge earthquake.


• Defending First American Title Company in civil enforcement action filed against the title insurance industry by the California Attorney General pursuant to California Business & Professions Code Section 17200. Also representing First American in parallel private class action.


• Defended Charles Krug Winery in investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arising out of alleged labeling violations.


• Defended Regional Director of California Department of Fish and Game in criminal prosecution alleging violations of state environmental laws in Lake Davis pike eradication project. Successfully moved to disqualify district attorney's office, resulting in the appointment of a Special Prosecutor who dismissed all charges.


• Defended Thermacor Process, Inc., a government contractor, in a federal criminal False Claims Act case. Following pre-trial presentation of evidence and argument, government dismissed indictment. Handled parallel suspension proceedings with United States Army procurement officials and obtained termination of suspensions.


• Defended Union Bank of California in state criminal prosecution based upon alleged violation of California's producer's lien laws. Criminal complaint dismissed by court after hearing on pre-trial motion to dismiss.


• Defending Southern California Edison Company in federal civil enforcement action for damages and penalties arising out of a major forest fire.


• Represented a major retailer in a civil enforcement action brought by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Matter settled favorably before trial.


• Representing California Ammonia Company in a civil environmental enforcement action brought by the California Attorney General to recover penalties for alleged violation of California clean water and environmental laws.


• Defended Rain and Hail Insurance Services, a leading crop insurance underwriter, in connection with parallel civil and criminal investigation into allegations of fraud in connection with crop insurance. Government declined to indict company after numerous presentations of evidence and argument.


• Represented Nevada County in SEC investigation and enforcement action pertaining to municipal bond issuance disclosure requirements.


• Defended Home Americair, a major home health care provider, in federal False Claims Act action brought by the United States.


• Defended former City of Waterford Council Member in prosecution alleging unlawful transfer of public funds in connection with municipal bond transaction. Government dismissed prosecution.


• Defended former Chief Executive Officer of MediaVision in criminal securities fraud prosecution.

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