Financial Fraud and Public Corruption
Stetler, Duffy & Rotert, Ltd. attorneys served as prosecutors at the highest levels of federal and state government and now they provide that experience and judgment to clients facing grand jury inquiries or criminal prosecutions. In the most complex financial fraud cases, or in sophisticated government inquiries involving public officials and public funds, our lawyers skillfully guide clients through the investigative process. If necessary to protect client interests, we provide some of Chicago’s most experienced trial lawyers to provide the finest in courtroom advocacy.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
SDR represents a prominent Chicago developer and fundraiser for a former Illinois governor. Our client was charged with manipulating agencies of Illinois government to further a political fundraising scheme. The SDR trial team’s efforts during the lengthy and intensely publicized trial won widespread media acclaim, particularly for our cross-examination of key government witnesses. United States v. Rezko.
SDR represented the former Vice Chairman of Hollinger International, who was charged with Conrad Black and other executives in a scheme to defraud the shareholders of that company. United States v. Black, et al.
SDR defended at trial and successfully appealed the criminal prosecution against the Treasurer of the City of Chicago. After an “avalanche of errors” committed by the trial court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed her conviction and the government subsequently agreed to a no-jail resolution. United States v. Santos.
SDR lawyers have extensive experience in federal criminal cases alleging fraud in the award of public contracts to Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) or Womens’ Business Enterprises (WBE). Our lawyers have defended companies awarding subcontracts to MBE/WBE businesses, and we have defended individuals at MBE/WBE businesses against claims that they obtained subcontracts through fraud. See, e.g., United States v. Duff, et al.
Dave Stetler represented a Chicago alderman against federal charges alleging extortion, a prosecution stemming from the highly-publicized “Operation Silver Shovel” investigation. His client was acquitted on all charges after a jury trial, and the client remains the only Chicago alderman ever to win acquittal in federal court in a public corruption case. United States v. Frias.
Joe Duffy and Dave Stetler defended two currency futures traders at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange who were charged in an extensive FBI undercover operation into alleged trading abuses at Chicago’s futures exchanges. The government’s investigation involved years of effort, hundreds of hours of undercover tapes, and extraordinary expense, but after a jury trial both their clients were acquitted on all charges. United States v. Bailin, et al.