A federal white collar indictment can end a career, destroy a reputation, and carry decades of imprisonment. Tom Withers draws on eight years as a federal prosecutor and over 25 years of defense experience to defend individuals and organizations facing the government’s most serious allegations. The firm’s record includes dismissed indictments, not guilty verdicts, and terminated investigations across the full spectrum of white collar cases. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud charges form the backbone of many federal white collar prosecutions. These statutes are broad, and the government frequently uses them in combination to build complex, multi-count indictments. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Skilling v. United States, which narrowed honest services fraud to bribery and kickback schemes, these cases require careful analysis of whether the government’s theory can survive constitutional scrutiny. Mr. Withers has extensive experience defending clients in this area.
Mr. Withers has handled these cases as both a federal prosecutor and a defense attorney, giving him a practical understanding of how the government constructs its theories and where those theories are vulnerable. In U.S. v. Payne, he obtained a not guilty verdict for an insurance agent charged with mail and wire fraud after a week-long federal trial. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Mr. Withers defends officers, directors, and professionals facing financial fraud charges and investigations. With the volume of federal investigatory resources now directed at financial institution fraud, cases that were historically handled at the administrative level by the FDIC — or resolved civilly — are increasingly being brought as criminal prosecutions. Officers and directors facing these charges can face imprisonment and significant fines if convicted.
Mr. Withers background as a federal prosecutor, where he built these types of cases, allows him to identify weaknesses in the government’s evidence and develop targeted defense strategies. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Healthcare fraud is among the federal government’s stated enforcement priorities, given the scale of federal healthcare spending. Mr. Withers has substantial experience both in the prosecution of Medicare and Medicaid fraud cases and in the defense of these highly complex and technical matters.
In private practice, Mr. Withers has represented individual professionals and executives in the healthcare industry as well as entities, including physicians, chiropractors, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. In one notable case, he secured First Offender treatment with only a fine and no imprisonment or probation for a psychologist facing Medicare fraud charges in the Superior Court of Chatham County, Georgia — a result that preserved the client’s professional standing. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The firm has significant experience defending money laundering charges in federal court. In the firm’s experience, the Department of Justice has increasingly employed money laundering as a prosecutorial tool in white collar cases, adding counts that substantially increase potential penalties and complicate defense strategy.
In United States v. Shelnutt, Mr. Withers and co-counsel secured acquittal on all counts — including money laundering — for a criminal defense attorney facing serious federal charges. The firm understands the technical financial analysis that underlies these prosecutions and works with forensic accountants and financial analysts to challenge the government’s evidence. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
RICO cases — whether brought under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or state equivalents — are among the most serious charges a client can face. The firm has observed that RICO statutes, originally associated with organized crime prosecutions, are now applied in a wide range of contexts, including cases involving business executives and political figures. A conviction can carry decades of imprisonment and the forfeiture of substantial assets.
Mr. Withers has represented clients in federal criminal RICO cases, state criminal RICO cases, and civil RICO matters. His background as a prosecutor who built complex multi-defendant cases gives him a practical understanding of how the government constructs these theories and where they are vulnerable.
Federal prosecution of computer and internet-related offenses typically involves complex technical evidence — data from government searches, digital forensics reports, and electronic records. The firm handles these cases in collaboration with independent digital forensics professionals who can analyze the government’s evidence and identify weaknesses.
In State of Georgia v. W.G., computer forensics analysis proved the defendant’s innocence based on the prosecution’s own timeline, resulting in a full acquittal. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Withers Law Firm for a confidential consultation. (912) 447-8400 | twithers@witherslawfirmpc.com
Facing a federal investigation or criminal charges? Contact us for a confidential consultation with a former federal prosecutor.
