What to Do When the Government Comes Calling -

In today’s complex world of e-commerce and international competition, increasingly governmental agencies (both state and federal) are resorting to “dawn raids” (i.e., unannounced service of search warrants) on businesses to aid them in their investigations. The tactic is becoming more common and is typically used by the FBI for investigation of antitrust violations, securities fraud, cyber threats and a variety of other crimes. Unfortunately, often “innocent” companies are subjected to this method of investigation—even if they are not the actual targets of the investigation. These raids usually occur without warning around the opening of business when a group of armed FBI agents arrive with a search warrant and demand all of the company’s records, files, data, servers, cell phones. Typically the agents also request to “interview” officers and employees. More and more frequently, we are being asked by our clients for advice on what to do and what not to do if their company is the subject of such a raid.