News and Releases
Preparing for FTC Civil Penalty Enforcement of Made in USA Regulations
Cleveland, Ohio (August 16, 2021) – On July 1, under the headline “FTC Issues Rule to Deter Rampant Made in USA Fraud,” the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it finalized a rule “that will crack down on marketers who make false, unqualified claims that...
Facilitating Ransomware Payments Can Result in Sanctions Violations and OFAC Penalties
(July 22, 2021) – Cybercrime has made its way into the mainstream with more businesses, organizations, and individuals falling victim to this widespread threat. Cybercriminals, who are often backed by nefarious groups, have gone international and can now effectuate an...
China’s Anti-Sanctions Law Poses Compliance Challenges for Businesses
On 10 June 2021, China passed an anti-sanctions law to counteract the sanctions imposed by the US, EU, Canada, and the UK against various Chinese entities, and officials, in recent years. The new law permits China to penalize individuals or entities involved in the...
Biden Administration Prioritizing Tax Enforcement Efforts Against High-Earners and Corporations
This week the Biden Administration is expected to announce a proposal to provide the Internal Revenue Service an additional $80 billion in funding and expanded authority to prioritize enforcement and audit efforts against high earners and corporations. As part of his...
NFL Draft in Cleveland Draws Heightened Law Enforcement Presence
The NFL Draft descends on Cleveland the weekend of April 29 to May 1, with League representatives, team personnel, players, their families, and fans from across the country in tow. As with any other national event, draft weekend will bring heightened attention from...
The Ramifications of the New Anti-Money Laundering Act for Banks and Small Businesses
By: Perry Mastrocola, Partner; Robert J. Porter, Associate; Kevin J. Vogel, Associate Congress recently mustered a rare, overwhelmingly bipartisan majority—in both houses—to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (“NDAA”), overriding a...
Flannery | Georgalis Secures Dismissal of Bribery and Public-Corruption Charges Against Former Cuyahoga County Land Bank Official
After years-long advocacy by Flannery | Georgalis, federal prosecutors recently dropped all bribery and public-corruption charges against a former official of the Cuyahoga County Land Bank in a highly publicized criminal matter. These charges together carried a...
Judicial Conference Considers New Expert Disclosure Requirements
Pandemic or no pandemic, the yearly process of updating the federal rules continues. This year, the Judicial Conference of the United States is considering significant changes to Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that would expand the information...
Potential Changes in Trade and Economic Sanctions under the Biden Administration
Kevin Vogel to Present at Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s October 29th Professional Conduct Seminar
It comes from the shadows to possess you into turning your own clients in to the police. The most secure safes open at its command. Friends, ignore it at your peril...it’s the physical-evidence rule! On October 29 at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association...
Department of Justice Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Health Care Fraud Take Down Involving Telehealth Fraud, Residential Treatment Fraud and Opioid Fraud
On September 30th, Brian C. Rabbit, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice announced the largest ever nationwide healthcare fraud takedown. As part of the takedown, the Department of Justice announced charges in 50 separate federal...
Colin Callahan to Present at American Health Law Association’s 2020 Virtual Fraud and Compliance Forum
Flannery | Georgalis partner Colin Callahan will speak on fraud enforcement trends involving electronic health records (EHR) at the American Health Law Association’s 2020 Virtual Fraud and Compliance Forum on September 30, 2020. Along with fellow presenters...
Kevin Vogel’s Ethics Column Featured in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s September Bar Journal
In associate attorney Kevin Vogel’s first ethics column for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, he examines ideals of professionalism adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court and encourages all lawyers to work intentionally to improve the quality of justice in their...
Flannery | Georgalis Adds Benjamin Reese to Cleveland Office
Flannery | Georgalis is excited to announce the addition of associate attorney Benjamin Reese to the Cleveland office. Before entering private practice, Ben clerked for the Honorable Ed Carnes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Honorable...
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Inspector General Announce Crackdown on COVID-19 Relief Fund Fraud
Companies and individuals that have received funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, and those that receive federal aid in conjunction with COVID-19 treatment, must be prepared for more scrutiny than ever before. In line...
States Increase Scrutiny of Assisted Living Facilities in Response to COVID-19
While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly everyone in one way or another, the virus has had its deadliest impact on nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Nearly one in every ten of these facilities nationwide has reported at least one case of the virus....
Flannery Georgalis’ David Brown Secures Significant Sentence Reduction for Client
On April 29, 2020, the Asheville Citizen Times wrote an article covering Flannery | Georgalis’ David Brown’s successful efforts to secure a significant sentence reduction for an F|G client. In November, the client self-reported to FCI Butner Low to serve his...
Supreme Court Overturns “Bridgegate” Convictions
On May 5, 2020, the United States Supreme Court overturned the convictions in the infamous “Bridgegate” scandal. In a unanimous ruling, Justice Elena Kagan called the conduct an abuse of power, but short of fraud under federal law because the object of their conduct...
Flannery | Georgalis Client’s Release to Home Confinement Reinstated
On April 28th, Flannery | Georgalis successfully secured the reinstatement of the Bureau of Prisons immediate release to home confinement of a client only five months into an 18-month federal incarceration sentence. F | G submitted an emergency request to the Bureau...
Federal Government to Audit Paycheck Protection Program Loans Exceeding $2 Million
On April 28th, the day after the second round of PPP loans began, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin stated that any business receiving more the $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans will be fully audited. Loans under $2 million will be...
Ohio Creates Commission to Decide Businesses Ability to Operate
Across Ohio the State’s 113 local health departments have been inundated with complaints about non-essential businesses operating in violation of Governor DeWine’s Stay at Home order. Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage County health departments alone have received hundreds...
FinCEN Issues Cautionary Notices to Financial Institutions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
As the effects of COVID-19 expand beyond individual health and welfare, government agencies are advising individuals and entities to be alert for bad actors seeking to profit from the pandemic. The mission of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN), a...
States Work to Reduce Prison and Jail Populations in Effort to Combat Coronavirus
As we detailed in our April 9th post, the Bureau of Prisons is working to prevent the coronavirus from further spreading throughout the federal prison system by identifying and transferring to home confinement inmates that meet certain eligibility criteria. State...
CARES Act Relief Funds Will Come with Increased Government Scrutiny
National emergency relief funds are typically accompanied by increased government scrutiny – and funds distributed under the CARES Act, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, will be no exception. The government will be keeping a watchful eye over the disbursement...
Preparing for FTC Civil Penalty Enforcement of Made in USA Regulations
Cleveland, Ohio (August 16, 2021) – On July 1, under the headline “FTC Issues Rule to Deter Rampant Made in USA Fraud,” the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it finalized a rule “that will crack down on marketers who make false, unqualified claims that...
Facilitating Ransomware Payments Can Result in Sanctions Violations and OFAC Penalties
(July 22, 2021) – Cybercrime has made its way into the mainstream with more businesses, organizations, and individuals falling victim to this widespread threat. Cybercriminals, who are often backed by nefarious groups, have gone international and can now effectuate an...
China’s Anti-Sanctions Law Poses Compliance Challenges for Businesses
On 10 June 2021, China passed an anti-sanctions law to counteract the sanctions imposed by the US, EU, Canada, and the UK against various Chinese entities, and officials, in recent years. The new law permits China to penalize individuals or entities involved in the...
Biden Administration Prioritizing Tax Enforcement Efforts Against High-Earners and Corporations
This week the Biden Administration is expected to announce a proposal to provide the Internal Revenue Service an additional $80 billion in funding and expanded authority to prioritize enforcement and audit efforts against high earners and corporations. As part of his...
NFL Draft in Cleveland Draws Heightened Law Enforcement Presence
The NFL Draft descends on Cleveland the weekend of April 29 to May 1, with League representatives, team personnel, players, their families, and fans from across the country in tow. As with any other national event, draft weekend will bring heightened attention from...
The Ramifications of the New Anti-Money Laundering Act for Banks and Small Businesses
By: Perry Mastrocola, Partner; Robert J. Porter, Associate; Kevin J. Vogel, Associate Congress recently mustered a rare, overwhelmingly bipartisan majority—in both houses—to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (“NDAA”), overriding a...
Flannery | Georgalis Secures Dismissal of Bribery and Public-Corruption Charges Against Former Cuyahoga County Land Bank Official
After years-long advocacy by Flannery | Georgalis, federal prosecutors recently dropped all bribery and public-corruption charges against a former official of the Cuyahoga County Land Bank in a highly publicized criminal matter. These charges together carried a...
Judicial Conference Considers New Expert Disclosure Requirements
Pandemic or no pandemic, the yearly process of updating the federal rules continues. This year, the Judicial Conference of the United States is considering significant changes to Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that would expand the information...
Potential Changes in Trade and Economic Sanctions under the Biden Administration
Kevin Vogel to Present at Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s October 29th Professional Conduct Seminar
It comes from the shadows to possess you into turning your own clients in to the police. The most secure safes open at its command. Friends, ignore it at your peril...it’s the physical-evidence rule! On October 29 at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association...
Department of Justice Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Health Care Fraud Take Down Involving Telehealth Fraud, Residential Treatment Fraud and Opioid Fraud
On September 30th, Brian C. Rabbit, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice announced the largest ever nationwide healthcare fraud takedown. As part of the takedown, the Department of Justice announced charges in 50 separate federal...
Colin Callahan to Present at American Health Law Association’s 2020 Virtual Fraud and Compliance Forum
Flannery | Georgalis partner Colin Callahan will speak on fraud enforcement trends involving electronic health records (EHR) at the American Health Law Association’s 2020 Virtual Fraud and Compliance Forum on September 30, 2020. Along with fellow presenters...
Kevin Vogel’s Ethics Column Featured in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s September Bar Journal
In associate attorney Kevin Vogel’s first ethics column for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, he examines ideals of professionalism adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court and encourages all lawyers to work intentionally to improve the quality of justice in their...
Flannery | Georgalis Adds Benjamin Reese to Cleveland Office
Flannery | Georgalis is excited to announce the addition of associate attorney Benjamin Reese to the Cleveland office. Before entering private practice, Ben clerked for the Honorable Ed Carnes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Honorable...
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Inspector General Announce Crackdown on COVID-19 Relief Fund Fraud
Companies and individuals that have received funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, and those that receive federal aid in conjunction with COVID-19 treatment, must be prepared for more scrutiny than ever before. In line...
States Increase Scrutiny of Assisted Living Facilities in Response to COVID-19
While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly everyone in one way or another, the virus has had its deadliest impact on nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Nearly one in every ten of these facilities nationwide has reported at least one case of the virus....
Flannery Georgalis’ David Brown Secures Significant Sentence Reduction for Client
On April 29, 2020, the Asheville Citizen Times wrote an article covering Flannery | Georgalis’ David Brown’s successful efforts to secure a significant sentence reduction for an F|G client. In November, the client self-reported to FCI Butner Low to serve his...
Supreme Court Overturns “Bridgegate” Convictions
On May 5, 2020, the United States Supreme Court overturned the convictions in the infamous “Bridgegate” scandal. In a unanimous ruling, Justice Elena Kagan called the conduct an abuse of power, but short of fraud under federal law because the object of their conduct...
Flannery | Georgalis Client’s Release to Home Confinement Reinstated
On April 28th, Flannery | Georgalis successfully secured the reinstatement of the Bureau of Prisons immediate release to home confinement of a client only five months into an 18-month federal incarceration sentence. F | G submitted an emergency request to the Bureau...
Federal Government to Audit Paycheck Protection Program Loans Exceeding $2 Million
On April 28th, the day after the second round of PPP loans began, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin stated that any business receiving more the $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans will be fully audited. Loans under $2 million will be...
Ohio Creates Commission to Decide Businesses Ability to Operate
Across Ohio the State’s 113 local health departments have been inundated with complaints about non-essential businesses operating in violation of Governor DeWine’s Stay at Home order. Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage County health departments alone have received hundreds...
FinCEN Issues Cautionary Notices to Financial Institutions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
As the effects of COVID-19 expand beyond individual health and welfare, government agencies are advising individuals and entities to be alert for bad actors seeking to profit from the pandemic. The mission of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN), a...
States Work to Reduce Prison and Jail Populations in Effort to Combat Coronavirus
As we detailed in our April 9th post, the Bureau of Prisons is working to prevent the coronavirus from further spreading throughout the federal prison system by identifying and transferring to home confinement inmates that meet certain eligibility criteria. State...
CARES Act Relief Funds Will Come with Increased Government Scrutiny
National emergency relief funds are typically accompanied by increased government scrutiny – and funds distributed under the CARES Act, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, will be no exception. The government will be keeping a watchful eye over the disbursement...