Public Corruption Criminal Defense
The nature of democracy demands public officials be constantly in the public's eye. Every action is necessarily scrutinized by the media and by the public. When allegations of public or political corruption surface, a reputation can quickly be destroyed. If not handled effectively, so can the official's career. At the law office of Gillen, Withers & Lake, LLC, our attorneys provide knowledgeable, confidential advice and experienced representation to political and public officials facing charges for corruption. We have found that it is often the public officials, who are experienced in dealing with the media, who say and do things, when the spotlight of an investigation focuses on them that ends up harming there cause.
The collective experience of the attorneys of Gillen, Withers & Lake, LLC is indispensible in cases involving political and public corruption. Mr. Gillen prosecuted former Congressman Pat Swindall and Mr. Withers has prosecuted a former Congressman for bank fraud. This inside experience into corruption cases gives our firm insight into how the prosecution handles such high profile cases. We put this experience to effective use in our defense of sitting public officials, congressmen, business officials, and other professionals in throughout the Eastern United States.
Honest Services Mail Fraud
Generally, political and public corruption charges involve some form of "honest services mail fraud." Public and political officials owe a duty of honest services to the public. The following is a representative list of the types of cases for which public officials can be prosecuted:
- Concealing conflicts of interests
- Accepting kickbacks
- Bribery
- Money laundering
- Misuse of government funds
- Falsifying government documents
Defense of Public Officials and Employees
Investigations and prosecutions of public officials or employees frequently carry far greater risks than other proceedings. The attorneys of Gillen Withers & Lake LLC go to work aggressively in defending their clients in such investigations or prosecutions. As capable and experienced trial lawyers, our firm has achieved a variety of success at trial.
In U.S. v. B.D. (Southern District of Georgia, 2003), Mr. Withers' client, a former government employee, was found not guilty of bid rigging charges following a two-and-a-half week trial. Mr. Gillen obtained a verdict of not guilty for a Federal agent in U.S. v. L.M. (Northern District of Georgia 1996). Mr. Gillen also secured the dismissal of all charges against a State legislator in State of Georgia v. D.V.S. (Fulton County, Georgia 2002).
The lawyers of Gillen, Withers & Lake, LLC understand the impact negative publicity charges can have on their client's image and will do everything in our power to protect that interest.
