Corporate Crime Defense in Louisiana

Written by Jarrett Ambeau, trial attorney, court-qualified forensic DNA expert, and lead counsel at The Ambeau Law Firm.

What are corporate crimes? They are offenses arising in a business context, such as securities fraud, accounting fraud, foreign bribery, antitrust violations, and obstruction. Both companies and the individuals acting for them can face criminal liability, and their interests often diverge, which is why independent counsel matters from the start.

A corporate investigation is uniquely dangerous for the individuals inside it. The company may cooperate with the government to protect itself, and company lawyers do not represent you. By the time you realize your own exposure, decisions may already have been made that affect you. Independent, early representation is the safeguard.

I am Jarrett Ambeau. I have tried more than sixty felony jury trials to verdict. Corporate cases turn on complex records and on the theory of individual intent, and that is where I focus the defense.

Quick answers

• What it is: business-context offenses like securities fraud, bribery, antitrust, and obstruction.
• The exposure: often severe for individuals, with substantial fines, forfeiture, and restitution.
• The key issue: individual intent and knowledge within a complex organization.
• What to do first: get independent counsel, separate from company lawyers, and preserve records.

What counts as a corporate crime?

The category spans securities fraud and accounting fraud, foreign bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, antitrust conspiracies, environmental and regulatory offenses, money laundering, and obstruction of justice arising from investigations. The defining feature is that the conduct occurred in a business setting. A crucial and difficult question in these cases is separating individual criminal intent from ordinary corporate decision-making within a large organization.

What the government must prove

The elements depend on the offense, but in most corporate fraud cases the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt:

• A scheme or agreement. A plan to defraud or an unlawful agreement.
• Individual knowledge. That the specific defendant knew of and joined the conduct.
• Intent. That the defendant acted with criminal intent, not mere business judgment.
• A qualifying act. The jurisdictional or statutory element specific to the charge.

How a corporate case moves

These matters usually begin as investigations, sometimes prompted by regulators, whistleblowers, or an internal review. Grand jury subpoenas, document demands, and interviews come first. If charges follow, they arrive by indictment, then arraignment, a lengthy discovery and motions phase involving enormous volumes of records, and either a plea or trial governed by the federal guidelines. The investigation stage, where interests among the company and individuals split, is critical.

What are the defenses to corporate charges?

The defenses that come up most often include:

• No individual intent. That the defendant acted in good faith or exercised legitimate business judgment.
• Lack of knowledge. That the defendant did not know of the unlawful conduct within the organization.
• Reliance on advice. That the defendant reasonably relied on legal or accounting professionals.
• Challenging the loss theory. Disputing the government’s loss calculation that drives sentencing.
• Procedural and constitutional challenges. Attacking overbroad subpoenas and improperly obtained evidence.

How we defend a corporate case

Corporate defense means mastering the records and isolating what one individual actually knew and intended. We gather the evidence, work through the documents, talk to witnesses, and reconstruct the decision-making, and we build the timeline the government would rather ignore. Where it helps, we bring in forensic accounting and industry experts.

With more than sixty felony jury trials to verdict, we prepare every case for trial, and that preparation strengthens negotiations with the government. Independent, early representation is what protects you. It is what we do here at The Ambeau Law Firm.

Frequently asked questions

What are corporate crimes?

Corporate crimes are offenses committed in a business context, either by a company or by individuals acting on its behalf. They include securities fraud, accounting fraud, foreign bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, antitrust violations, environmental crimes, and obstruction. Both the company and individual executives and employees can face criminal liability, and the two often have divergent interests.

Can an individual be prosecuted for a company’s conduct?

Yes. Federal prosecutors increasingly pursue individual executives and employees, not just corporations, and a company under investigation may cooperate against its own people. That is why anyone caught up in a corporate investigation needs their own independent lawyer, separate from company counsel, whose sole loyalty is to them.

What are the penalties for corporate crimes?

They vary enormously by offense. Securities and accounting fraud can carry decades of exposure and massive fines and forfeiture. For individuals, sentences under the federal guidelines rise with the dollar loss, the number of victims, and the person’s role. Companies face fines, disgorgement, monitors, and collateral consequences like debarment. Restitution is common across the board.

How should I respond to a corporate investigation?

Carefully and early. Preserve documents, avoid discussing the matter, and do not assume company counsel represents your interests, because they do not. Statements to investigators or internal interviews can have serious consequences. The most important early step is retaining independent counsel who can protect you individually and engage with the government on your behalf.

Talk to a Louisiana corporate crime defense lawyer

A few quick questions help us understand your situation: Have you been contacted by investigators or a grand jury? Are you represented separately from your company? Is this still an investigation or have charges been filed? If you are caught up in a corporate investigation, do not wait. Check Jarrett’s availability for your case or call 225-330-7009.

Statute reference

Corporate crimes are charged under a range of federal statutes, including the securities fraud and mail and wire fraud provisions of Title 18, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the antitrust laws of Title 15. Statutes and guidelines change, so verify the current text through official government sources. These offenses generally require proof of individual knowledge and criminal intent, and they carry substantial prison exposure along with fines, forfeiture, and restitution driven by the loss involved.

Source: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1348; 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1 et seq.