FGIS Leadership

The Honorable Louis J. Freeh   [Download VCard]
Chairman

Louis J. Freeh is a Founder and Chairman of FGIS. Mr. Freeh also serves as Senior Managing Partner of the affiliated law firm of Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP.

Freeh was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Rutgers University in 1971. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Rutgers School of Law in 1974 and his Master of Laws (LLM) in criminal law from New York University School of Law in 1984. Freeh joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent in 1975, working assignments in the New York field office and later transferring to Headquarters in Washington D.C.

In 1981, he joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant United States Attorney. Subsequently, he held positions there as Chief of the Organized Crime Unit, Deputy United States Attorney, and Associate United States Attorney.

During this time, Freeh was the lead prosecutor in the "Pizza Connection" case, the largest and most complex investigation ever undertaken at the time by the United States Government. The case involved an extensive drug-trafficking operation in the United States by Sicilian organized crime members who used pizza parlors as fronts. Following the investigation, Freeh served as the federal government's principal courtroom attorney in the 14-month trial and won the conviction of 16 of 17 co-defendants. In 1990, he was appointed a Special Prosecutor by the Attorney General to oversee the investigation into the mail-bomb murders of Federal Judge Robert Vance of Birmingham, Alabama, and civil rights leader Robert Robinson of Savannah, Georgia. This case became known as the VANPAC case. After extensive investigation, a suspect was apprehended, prosecuted, and convicted.

In July 1991, former President George Bush appointed Freeh as United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. While serving in this position he was nominated to be the Director of the FBI by President William Clinton on July 20, 1993. He was confirmed by the Senate and was sworn in as Director on September 1, 1993 where Freeh remained through 2001.

Following his many years of public service, Freeh accepted a position with MBNA America Bank, N.A., as Vice Chairman, General Counsel and Ethics Officer. In 2006, he served as the company's principal lawyer in connection with the $35 billion acquisition of the company by Bank of America and in 2007 formed FGIS.

James R. Bucknam   [Download VCard]
Chief Executive Officer

Since 2010, Jim Bucknam has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”). Prior to joining FGIS, Jim worked as an executive at a global consulting firm for more than thirteen years.

During his nineteen-year consulting career, Jim has been responsible for managing large-scale client assignments, including monitorships, internal investigations, due diligence engagements, and security reviews. Examples of those assignments include:

• Conducted a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation on behalf of a multinational oil and gas company relating to drilling rights in Nigeria.
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of an American professional sports team relating to allegations of possible criminal conduct.
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of FIFA related to allegations of corruption in the 2011 FIFA presidential election.
• Advised a standardized testing company on reforms needed to prevent and detect falsification of the identities of college board test-takers.
• Assisted FGIS Chairman Louis J. Freeh in his roles as (i) the Court-Appointed Special Master for the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims Center and (ii) the Compliance Program Auditor for a global logistics company.
• Appointed as the Independent Safety Expert by a global retail leader, with the consent of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, related to safety concerns at its New York State retail stores during high-volume seasonal sales events.
• Appointed as the Independent Safety and Security Examiner by a social networking website, with the consent of the New York State Attorney General, related to the timeliness of the company’s response to complaints related to inappropriate contacts, especially those directed toward minors.

From 1993 to 1996, Jim served as the Senior Advisor to then FBI Director Freeh, advising him on numerous domestic and foreign law enforcement matters. During that time, Jim helped Director Freeh to expand the FBI’s overseas law enforcement presence, which resulted in a substantial increase to the FBI’s Legal Attache Program. In 1994, Jim received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award for coordinating multi-agency efforts in support of the Attorney General’s Anti-Violent Crime Initiative.

From 1987 to 1993, Jim served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where he gained broad experience in federal criminal investigations, trials, and appeals. For more than two of those years, Jim served as the Supervisor of the Narcotics Unit.

Jim is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary.

John D. Behnke   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Since 2008, John Behnke has been a Managing Director of Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”). Prior to joining FGIS, John spent over 22 years in law enforcement, with 20 years at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”). John began his law enforcement career as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.

During his career with FGIS, John has been responsible for developing client relationships, managing client assignments and overseeing large scale security assignments. Examples of these assignments include:

• Supervised internal reviews of the inventory, accountability and security of explosives for a global leader in sustainable mining.
• Supervised security and protection for Board of Directors and executive management for a world leader in financial services at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C.

During his tenure at the FBI, John served as Special Assistant to then FBI Director Louis J. Freeh. John planned, organized and coordinated Director Freeh’s official travel to 35 foreign countries, resulting in the establishment of over 25 new FBI offices overseas. Throughout his tenure with Director Freeh, John acted as liaison with multiple foreign and domestic law enforcement security services.

John was lead agent for the Olympic Park Bombing Investigation. As a result of his successful efforts in this investigation, the U.S. Attorney General honored John with the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award. Additionally, John was the lead agent in the investigation of the 1989 murder of Judge Robert Vance of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. After this case was successfully prosecuted, John was awarded the Department of Justice’s Dedicated Service Award by President George H.W. Bush, recognizing John for his “Outstanding leadership, dedication, and self-sacrifice in the successful investigation and prosecution of one of the most important Civil Rights cases in the Nation’s history.”

John is a graduate of Hobart College and the Washington University School of Law.

Blake Coppotelli   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Blake joined the Freeh Group in May of 2011 and, during his fifteen years as a consultant, Blake has advised public and private clients on complex issues, including corruption, government, regulatory, and/or corporate investigations, financial and investigative due diligence, and internal corporate controls, governance, and ethics. He has led compliance and investigative assignments in numerous jurisdictions, including Japan, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Singapore, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

A small sampling of those assignments include:

• Retained to conduct an internal and external investigation into the theft of electronic data containing the identities of 50 million customers of a Fortune 100 pharmacy benefits management company.
• Retained by a Private Equity firm to conduct a multi-million dollar False Claims investigation into one of the firm’s portfolio companies. The investigation focused on the portfolio company’s inflation of billings related to federal contracts to provide industrial tools used in the manufacture of F-16 and F-22 airplanes for the Department of Defense.
• Engaged by a major retail bank to conduct an investigation in Asia into the possible bribery of a public official by a key regional manager of the bank in violation of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
• Retained to investigate the fraudulent conduct of a plaintiff in the filing of a law suit to falsely obtain the majority ownership of one of the largest social media companies in the world. The plaintiff is currently a fugitive and the suit has been dismissed.
• Retained by one of the largest courier, logistics, and freight forwarding companies in the world, operating in approximately 220 countries with over 250,000 employees, to conduct a review in Asia, EMEA, and Latin America of the company’s anti-bribery compliance program.
• Retained by one of the largest retail bank and credit card companies in the world to conduct a review in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia of the company’s global anti-bribery compliance program.
• Retained by the largest metropolitan commercial and residential property owner to conduct an internal and external investigation into corruption and organized crime’s influence on construction projects involving the company’s portfolio.
• Retained to conduct investigations into prominent and complex short-selling schemes conducted in the United States and China.
• Fifteen plus appointments as the Independent Private Sector Inspector General or Independent Ethics Monitor of various companies, unions, and private or public matters, as requested by federal or state courts, agencies, or private concerns.
• Engaged by various financial services firms, private equity companies, and law firms to conducted dozens of transactional and regulatory due diligence investigations into the background of joint-venture partners, acquisition targets, and third-party vendors operating in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Prior to entering the private sector, Blake was a prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney’s Office “DANY”), ending the last four years of his thirteen-year tenure as Chief of the Labor Racketeering Unit and Construction Industry Strike Force. Mr. Coppotelli also served as a Senior Investigative Counsel to the Investigations Division of DANY, advising other Assistant District Attorney’s on investigative strategies, legal issues, and trial practice.

Blake is a graduate of the St. John’s University, School of Law, and Wittenberg University.

Matthew Dolan   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Since 2012, Matt Dolan has been a Managing Director with Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”). Prior to joining FGIS, Matt served in the United States Navy as an Attorney and Navy SEAL.

During his government and consulting career, Matt has been responsible for managing large-scale client assignments, conducting strategic planning, conducting internal investigations, due diligence engagements, and security reviews. Examples of Matt’s assignments include:

• Primary Advisor for creation of the Fraud Waste and Abuse Program for the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims Center (“DHECC”) responsible for adjudication of 400,000 claims with an estimated value of over ten billion dollars.
• Developed Ethics and Compliance Program for the DHECC, including a new Code of Conduct and conflicts of interest management and monitoring program.
• Conducted global investigation for international sports governing association into bribery and corruption allegations of senior management.
• Serve as advisor to several nonprofit organizations supporting major universities, advising the nonprofit boards on governance, ethics, charitable donations, and other issues pertinent to higher education.
• Served as liaison for nine audits and reviews over three year period for a university under government scrutiny after audit revealed financial improprieties. Executed more than 50 major corrective actions over 15 months to improve internal controls and financial practices.
• Redrafted university’s board of trustee policies and bylaws to improve governance and oversight of university.
• Conducted extensive internal investigation and compliance review of university alleged to have not properly reported sexual assault. Extensive review extended to sexual assault investigative procedures, whistleblower policies, Title IX, Clery Act, human resources, and ethics program.
• Conducted a Title IX review to determine if Division I university was providing equitable athletic opportunities with respect to the provision of athletic facilities.

From 1988 to 1993, Matt served in the U.S. Navy as a Navy SEAL deploying to the Middle East and Pacific. From 1993 to 2012, Matt served as a Navy lawyer advising on a broad range of issues to include criminal law, international law, ethics, security matters, investigations and financial controls.

Matt received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and his law degree, cum laude, from University of San Diego School of Law. He also holds an LLM in International and Comparative Law from George Washington School of Law.

Walter B. Donaldson, II   [Download VCard]
Managing Director / CFE

Walt Donaldson is a Managing Director of Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”). Prior to joining FGIS, Walt worked as the Director of Special Investigations at the second largest bank in the U.S.

During his thirty-five year career, Walt has been responsible for managing security and investigative teams globally, cyber crime investigations, computer forensic investigations, compliance and regulatory matters, BSA/AML/OFAC, due diligence investigations, executive protection, and security reviews. Several examples of his consulting engagements include:

• Managed multiple regulatory required “look backs” for financial institutions to identify suspicious transactions.
• Managed BSA/AML/OFAC Risk Assessments, AML Program reviews and gap analysis for Banks, MSB’s and Casinos.
• Designed security protocols for activist demonstrations during corporate shareholder meeting; provided executive protection and overall management.
• Developed active shooter program for major health care corporation.
• Managed internal investigations, including forensic recovery of electronic evidence, on behalf of corporations for intellectual property theft, financial frauds, false documents, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and hostile work environment cases.
• Performed security assessments for corporations and executives relating to corporate complexes, as well as the executives’ homes, vacation homes and corporate aircraft.
• Performed security review of multiple major metropolitan hotels to enhance security program for both staff and their guests.

From 2006 to 2010, Walt served as the Special Investigations Director for Bank of America. He was directly responsible for the management of investigations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He had global responsibility for cyber crime and identity theft investigations, and he also managed physical security for all operations in Canada. He worked with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to design and implement their “Model Policy” for investigating identity crimes. After retiring from Bank of America, Walt joined FGIS.

From 1987 to 2006, Walt served as the Director of Corporate Investigations for MBNA America. He managed all investigations, executive protection, fraud audits, BSA/AML/OFAC and risk assessments. He worked with the OCC, FRB, FDIC and FSA on a routine basis. He established computer forensic labs in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. He served as the Director of investigations and security for twenty years before the company’s acquisition.

Walt is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard, Maritime Law Enforcement Academy and served the Coast Guard until December 1986. He holds multiple professional certifications including as a Certified Fraud Examiner. He holds an active government security clearance for sensitive engagements and currently serves as a member on several Boards of Directors.

Joseph R. Guccione   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Joseph R. Guccione is a Managing Director in the New York office of Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”). Prior to joining FGIS, he was the United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”).

As a Managing Director for FGIS, Joe has been responsible for managing various global assignments, including due diligence engagements, internal investigations, asset searches and security assessments. Recently, Joe has:

• Provided logistical and operational support for the Special Master and numerous parties regarding settlement of the largest environmental case in U.S. history.
• Performed risk and security assessments for a large, iconic office building in New York City.
• Assisted counsel with an internal investigation relating to the acquisition of oil rights in Africa on behalf of the Audit Committee and Advisory Board of an Italian company, which included drafting investigative reports, meeting with the company’s representatives as well as U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission officials. Facilitated close relations between counsel and various Italian clients.
• Worked closely with the President and General Counsel of a global high technology company to devise a strategy for responding to multiple cross-border criminal investigations.
• Served with the Gendarmeria as an integral part of the Papal Delegation during the 2015 visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the United States.

As the United States Marshal for the U.S. Marshals Service’s most prominent office, the SDNY, Joe was involved in the most sophisticated, complex criminal and civil cases involving international and domestic terrorism, financial crimes, violent and organized crime, major fugitives, forfeitures and seizures. Joe had direct responsibility for the personal safety of more than 100 judges and 1,500 employees, multiple United States Courthouses and other federal facilities, and security for major international terrorism and criminal trials. He conducted numerous high-profile investigations in both criminal and civil cases; supervised criminal investigators and court security officers; and directed all investigative, protective and administrative activities for the U.S. Marshals Service in the SDNY.

Joe has been recognized internationally as a law enforcement leader, with particular expertise in risk analysis and mitigation, threat intelligence, planning for high-security activities, and implementation of personal and infrastructure protection. As U.S. Marshal, he served on the Executive Committee of multiple task forces involving federal, state and local law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Secret Service; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and the New York City Police Department. He has participated as a principal in special security events, dignitary protection details, and anti-terrorism and anti-crime operations and has worked closely with Italian law enforcement.

Shawn M. Kaderabek   [Download VCard]
Senior Manager, Digital Forensics

Coming soon

Michael McCall   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Since 2013, Mike McCall has been an Associate Managing Director with Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”). From 2008-2013, Mike was a Senior Consultant for FGIS.

During his time with FGIS, Mike has managed and conducted complex investigations for corporate and individual clients in the United States and overseas. Examples of those assignments include:

• Led monitor field visits to European, Asian and South American subsidiaries of a major multinational manufacturing and sales corporation under a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice involving violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
• Managed a complex international investigation involving a shareholder dispute for a major U.S. hospitality and entertainment corporation.
• Led the investigation into allegations of breach of loyalty and self-dealing on the part of the former CEO of an overseas subsidiary of a global pharmaceutical manufacturer.
• Managed and led the due diligence investigation into allegations in a former Soviet Republic of criminal misconduct on the part of major shareholders of a multinational corporation based in Western Europe.

Prior to joining FGIS, Mike served for more than twenty years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), where he specialized in national security and organized crime investigations. A fluent Russian speaker, Mike worked extensively with the law enforcement and security agencies of the Russian Federation. As a crisis negotiator, he successfully advised U.S. Embassy and host country officials in the resolution of overseas kidnappings of U.S. citizens. He is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterterrorism Investigation.

From 1975 to 1983, Mike served as an infantry officer with the United States Army. During his service, he successfully commanded an air assault rifle company in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Mike is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with an academic concentration in Russian language and area studies.

John G. Rahie   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

John G. Rahie joined Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP ("FSS") on October 1, 2009. Prior to joining FSS, Rahie was the Executive Director of Global Investigations for General Motors Corporation based in Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the General Motors Legal Staff, specializing in compliance and ethics matters. In his 30 years with General Motors Legal Staff, he held a number of positions including General Counsel of GM Europe based in Zurich. He has extensive experience in compliance and corporate governance issues and served as a member of GM's Senior Management Compliance Committee. He also served as the GM Global Process Leader for Special Investigations and Anti-Corruption Activities, conducting sensitive "white-collar" investigations for GM throughout the world and directing its FCPA and anti-corruption compliance programs.

Rahie holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (BEE) degree from Kettering University, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Michigan State University School of Law and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Wayne State University. He is a member of the Michigan State Bar and the American Bar Association.

Robert O'Neill   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Robert (“Bobby”) E. O’Neill has been a Managing Director with Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”) since 2013. Prior to joining FGIS, Bobby served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida since his appointment by President Barack Obama on October 5, 2010. Bobby previously served as the United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida from 2007 to 2008 under President George W. Bush.

Since joining FGIS, Bobby has had several notable assignments, including:

• Conducted a compliance review and temporarily served as the Chief Compliance Officer for a publicly held corporation.
• Conducted internal reviews of the Internal Affairs Division and the Narcotics Division for a law enforcement agency.
• Provided global due diligence reviews for domestic and international companies.
• Consulted on behalf of a major gaming concern in its negotiations with the United States Government.
• Conducted an internal investigation of a member of the Board of Directors of a private company.
• Retained by a law enforcement agency to assist in an investigation involving public corruption.

In addition to his service as the United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida, Bobby has also served as: an Assistant United States Attorney in both the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida; a Trial Attorney in the United States Department of Justice; an Associate Independent Counsel on two occasions in the Office of Independent Counsel; and an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Bobby was also engaged in the private practice of law in New York City. Bobby was recognized for his achievements as a trial lawyer when he was inducted as a fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Bobby is a graduate of Fordham University (magna cum laude) and New York Law School (cum laude).

Michael S. Welch   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Michael S. Welch joins Freeh Group International Solutions after a distinguished international career in both the public and private sectors.

Most recently, as the Director of Retail and Regulatory Investigations for the United Kingdom’s (UK) Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), he managed an expansive staff responsible for investigating over 50,000 financial services firms. Mike is the only American to have held such a high-ranking position at the FCA.

Prior to the FCA, Mike was the Global Head of Investigations for Standard Chartered Bank, the 4th largest bank in the UK with over 86,000 employees. He managed seven regional teams based around the globe that provided investigative support in 71 countries and developed the bank's capabilities in the areas of forensic imaging, asset recovery, cyber intrusions/fraud, analytics-discovery, and comprehensive fraud training. He fostered collaboration with government and private sector entities by establishing external working groups in nine countries.

Mike held many executive positions during his 25-year career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) including Assistant Director for International Operations; Acting Assistant Director/Deputy Assistant Director, Cyber Division; and Special Agent in Charge. He has served on the executive staff for two FBI Directors at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

While serving as Assistant Director, International Operations Division, Mike managed the Bureau’s international investigative caseload, multiple international task forces, and all FBI personnel stationed abroad. This included personnel assigned to the United Nations, NYC; Interpol, Lyon, France; and Europol, The Hague, the Netherlands. In this role, Mike traveled to more than 70 countries leading the Bureau’s efforts to champion international investigative mandates and facilitate timely information sharing between foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He also coordinated more than 100 international training courses annually.

While in charge of the FBI’s global cyber program, he managed the National Cyber Investigative Task Force, Washington, D.C., combining personnel and resources from across the federal government and international partners to investigate and combat cyber incidents. Mike also established and executed a national strategy to defeat, disrupt and identify priority cyber threats for all FBI offices, domestic and foreign.

As the Special Agent in Charge of the Indianapolis Field Office, he led the Bureau’s statewide federal counter-terrorism response and charged with securing national sporting events including the 2012 Super Bowl, Indianapolis 500, and the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Final Four Men’s Basketball Tournament. During his four-year tenure in Indiana, the FBI office achieved the greatest number of criminal statistical accomplishments in its 93-year history.

Early in his career, Mike served as a Special Agent in the Washington D.C, Miami, Indianapolis, and Kansas City field offices. He was a certified SWAT team member, police instructor, and managed the executive protection details for the U.S. Attorney General and FBI Director.

Larry Byrne   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Larry Byrne returned to Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”) as a Managing Director in September 2018. Larry previously was a Managing Director at FGIS from 2013 to 2014.

From 2014 to 2018 Larry served as the Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief Legal Officer for the NYPD. Larry managed approximately 100 lawyers in the Legal Bureau who handled all of the legal matters and issues for the NYPD and its 56,000 employees. Larry also established the Risk Management Bureau for the NYPD which had over 200 personnel and oversaw the full range of risk issues for the NYPD. He also created the Police Action Litigation Section and devised litigation strategies and initiatives to help the NYPD fight meritless lawsuits – resulting in more than a twenty percent drop in new lawsuits and new notices of claims against the NYPD during the past two years. Larry also represented the Police Commissioner on the advisory board of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Global Cyber Alliance which develops tools and strategies to combat all forms of cybercrime and cyberterrorism. Larry was the primary point of contact for various external oversight and legislative bodies overseeing the NYPD. During his tenure, the Legal Bureau received a Unit Citation for exceptional service to the NYPD.

For twenty years prior to joining the NYPD Larry was in private practice as a partner at several international law firms. Larry conducted corporate internal investigations for a wide range of clients and represented clients in the full range of complex white-collar criminal, government regulatory and civil litigation matters including FCPA, OFAC, financial fraud, securities, antitrust, bankruptcy, and other commercial and international litigation matters. During those twenty years Larry represented a wide range of companies and institutions, and their Boards and Audit Committees and senior management, in the financial, insurance, technology, energy, retail, defense contracting, construction, real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, media, entertainment, and professional service sectors. Larry represented clients in matters involving the full range of federal, state and local U.S. prosecutors and regulators and legislative bodies as well as a broad array of foreign prosecutors and financial and antitrust regulators including the UK Serious Fraud Office.

Among the representations described above are the following:

• lead counsel for a leading credit rating agency in a major DOJ investigation into their ratings practices.
• lead counsel for Takeda Pharmaceutical, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan, in the largest set of criminal and civil antitrust price-fixing cases involving the vitamins industry.
• lead counsel for Royal Ahold in their accounting scandal where they settled with the DOJ and SEC without paying any monetary penalty.
• lead counsel for Deutsche Bank in all of its Enron-related litigations involving class actions and opt-out lawsuits and regulatory matters. Deutsche Bank was dismissed from the main securities class action without making any settlement payment. Enron-related litigations were the largest set of securities fraud litigations in US history.
• lead counsel for Lloyds in their OFAC settlements with the DOJ, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the US Treasury Department.
• lead counsel for a leading European defense contractor in their settlements with the DOJ and the Serious Fraud Office over allegations of FCPA violations.
• lead counsel for LendLease in their prosecution by the EDNY US Attorney’s Office over an alleged billing fraud scheme.
• Served as a monitor for the NYC Department of Investigation in the massive Hurricane Sandy “Build It Back” construction program to rebuild thousands of homes damaged or destroyed in the storm.

In 2012 Larry received the Robert M. Morgenthau Award for a Distinguished Legal Career from the NYC Police Athletic League for his work in the private and public sectors. Larry has also been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, NY Super Lawyers and The Legal 500 US, The Irish America and The Irish Voice’s Top Legal 100, The Irish Echo’s Irish Law and Order Top 50.

From 1988 to 1992 Larry served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and from 1992 to 1994 he served as the Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime & Racketeering Section of the Criminal Division of U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Larry is the 2018 recipient of the Lumbard Bowl which is awarded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to an alumnus of that Office who served with distinction and then went on to serve the public in other significant ways. During his service at the U.S. DOJ Larry received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance for prosecuting the Pizza Connection II international organized crime case and the Special Achievement Award for his work with the FBI and the Italian authorities in the investigation of the assassinations of Italian Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.

Larry is a member of the Global Cyber Alliance, the NYPD’s Shield counter-terrorism program and the National Law Enforcement Associates.

Larry is a graduate of Hofstra University and the New York University School of law.

Lewis D. Schiliro   [Download VCard]
Managing Director

Lewis D. Schiliro joined Freeh Group International Solutions LLC (FGIS) as a Managing Director in December 2018. Prior to FGIS, in 2009 the Governor of Delaware appointed Lew Schiliro as Secretary of the Department of Safety & Homeland Security and he received Senate confirmation on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

After retiring from the FBI Secretary Schiliro accepted a position as Senior Vice President at MBNA Bank in Wilmington, DE. In this position he responsible for administration and auditing functions in the office of the General Counsel. Upon leaving MBNA Bank, he held the position of Director of Emergency Management at the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City and Senior Vice President at AIG Insurance responsible for several thousand fraud investigators.

He brings a wealth of experience as a 25-year veteran with the U. S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his career with the FBI, he held numerous positions including Commander of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and Organized Crime Coordinator where his responsibilities included supervision and oversight of organized crime cases within the FBI's New York Office. Under his supervision, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force led the nation in identification and prosecution of domestic and international criminal groups. As Inter-Agency Policy & Program Unit Chief, his responsibilities included development and implementation of best practices within Government investigative agencies. As Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge of Terrorism, his responsibilities included supervision and direction of domestic and international terrorism cases. Prosecutions during this period included the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the conspiracy to blow up several New York City landmarks and the extradition of numerous terrorists responsible for attacks against U. S. citizens. As Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI's largest field office, his responsibilities included the supervision, management, and leadership of over 2,300 Special Agents and support personnel in all areas of Criminal, National Security, and International & Domestic Terrorism.

Secretary Schiliro earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hofstra University and his Juris Doctorate degree from Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Government Program at John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University. In addition, he is a member of the National Executive Institute for Major City Chiefs in Quantico, VA. He is admitted to practice in front of the New York, Washington, D.C., and Federal Bar.

In addition, from 2001 to 2009 Lew served on the Board of Directors for a Fortune 500 company in the vast health and nutrition sector where he was selected to head the Audit Committee.

Thomas O. Melvin   [Download VCard]
Senior Director

Thomas O. Melvin joined Freeh Group International Solutions in September 2012. Since then, he has been involved in international investigations and compliance consulting in the North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

His projects have included extensive process audits, reviews, and investigations for internal and external fraud, bribery and corruption issues, and regulatory compliance failures for financial institutions, international organizations, multinational corporations and large domestic construction companies. He has aided in designing procedures and program-enhancements in order to help companies detect wrongdoing and implement systems to meet the regulatory expectations of federal, state and municipal authorities.

Tom received a B.A. from Georgetown University in 2002 and his M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2003. He received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2010, where he was a senior editor for the Journal of Legislation and was given the A. Harold Weber Award for outstanding achievement in the art of oral advocacy. Prior to FGIS, Tom worked at the New York City Council, the New York City Department of Education and the Washington, D.C. office of an international law firm.

Steven Szaroleta   [Download VCard]
Senior Director

Steven Szaroleta is a Senior Director at Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC (“FGIS”) and is based out of Wilmington, Delaware. Steve has over twelve years of experience performing compliance assessments, internal audits, regulatory monitorships, forensic accounting reviews and complex international investigations related to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) as well as Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering regulations (“BSA/AML”).

With regard to regulatory experience:

• Steve has conducted FCPA investigations for global financial institutions related to bribery, corruption, fraud and misconduct. Steve has performed multiple FCPA program reviews of international organizations as well as participated in monitoring teams assessing the compliance programs of a major multinational automobile manufacturing and sales corporation under a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”).
• Steve has also worked with a variety of financial institutions, to include banks, casinos, and money service businesses related to all facets of their BSA / AML program and has experience in analyzing the effectiveness of Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) screening processes.

He has a deep understanding of regulatory risks as they relate to customers and transactions, geographies and delivery channels, and a variety of products and services. Steve has evaluated control strength and operational effectiveness of various FCPA program requirements such as accounting controls, third party management, reporting mechanisms, transaction audits and training capabilities. Steve has experience drafting and publishing reports for a variety of audiences, including summary risk and control failure findings for regulators and board members. Steve has evaluated various policies and procedures which resulted in partnering with client resources to design and implement enhanced processes supported by plain language procedures which align with the program goals and policies in place. Additionally, Steve is effective in manipulating large sets of data and assessing risks related to customers and transactions through a strong understanding of product and customer specific red flags.

Steve is a Certified Fraud Examiner (“CFE”) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (“CAMS”) He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Delaware.