Corporate Investigations Practice Leader

Martin conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a private equity investing firm.  The allegation was that an executive had embezzled funds through the submission of phony invoices to vendors.  The investigation involved review of disbursement activity and relevant documents and records, a search of the subject’s office, forensic computer analysis, interviews of knowledgeable individuals including the subject, and other related services.  Besides the confirmation of the embezzlement, it was discovered that the executive fraudulently submitted significant personal expenses as business expenses.  Martin interviewed the subject and obtained admissions on all the relevant issues. Martin also assisted in the preparation of the commercial crime policy claim for recovery of the defrauded proceeds as well as the cost of the investigation.

Martin led a compliance project for a major financial institution conducting an end-to-end assessment of the organization’s hotline and other reporting and investigation processes, providing compliance program enhancements and the creation of a remediation roadmap for business conduct improvements.

Martin led an investigation on behalf of a law firm and its employees who were victimized by identity theft. The law firm reached out to Martin because of his subject matter expertise and law enforcement experience investigating identity theft. The investigation determined how the identity theft breach occurred, the extent of the breach, and the individuals involved. SunHawk performed dark web and deep web Internet scans that determined the stolen information came from major data breaches that occurred years earlier. The evidence developed was referred to federal law enforcement resulting in the arrests of members of the identity theft ring responsible for the breach of the law firm and other victims. As a result of the quick response and investigation results, the law firm suffered no financial loss and no further acts of identity theft have occurred.

Martin led a FCPA and anti-corruption risk assessment and audit of a global retail chain’s operations in Mexico.

Martin Biegelman led an investigation on behalf of a transportation industry company involving the alleged misconduct of an employee in the theft of company-owned goods.  The investigation confirmed the theft of inventory and that the subject of the investigation was a manager at the company.  Knowing that his direct reports were being interviewed, this manager tried to persuade the employees not to cooperate with SunHawk’s investigators.  The investigation also revealed that the manager was sexually harassing his employees and he was terminated.  Martin also provided recommended enhancements to the company’s code of conduct and business ethics policy in furtherance of their corporate compliance program.

Martin Biegelman and defense counsel represented a client targeted by the DOJ in an FCPA probe.  As a result of the investigation performed in defense of the client and demonstrating the lack of supporting evidence of the allegations, no FCPA-related charges were ever filed by the DOJ.

Martin conducted a forensic investigation on behalf of an ultra-high net worth individual whose accountant was suspected of fraudulently diverting funds from the victim’s family office. The investigation confirmed that millions of dollars were embezzled by the accountant with the assistance of an external associate. Other misconduct committed by the accountant was also discovered.  As a result of the timely and effective investigation, the accountant and his accomplice returned all but a small amount of the loss to the victim.

Martin led an assessment of the compliance and ethics program of a university system providing program strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Martin led an internal investigation of a loan officer at a U.S. credit association involved in a long-running, multi-million-dollar loan fraud scheme and conspiracy with loan recipients.  The investigation resulted in a criminal referral to federal law enforcement authorities.

Martin led an internal investigation of a U.S. subsidiary of a global manufacturer resulting from whistleblower allegations of financial and other impropriety by corporate executives.

Martin led an FCPA compliance assessment and internal control review for a global oil and gas company.

Martin led an ethics program evaluation for a major U.S. municipality. Developed a new and enhanced ethics training curriculum. Conducted training for all 13,000 city employees.