Sean B. O'Connell

Representing numerous health care providers and entities in state and federal civil and criminal investigations nationwide involving alleged violations of the False Claims Act (FCA), Anti-Kickback Statute, health care fraud, and the Stark Law.

Representing a United States mortgage lender in an FCA lawsuit alleging violations of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Represented multiple companies accused of criminal and FCA violations for allegedly abusing the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program.

Obtained a non-intervention decision from the U.S. Attorney's Office and State Attorney General's Office regarding FCA allegations of health care fraud.

Conducted an internal investigation of a Department of Defense (DOD) contractor concerning potential FCA violations and related regulatory issues.

Represented a pharmacy wholesaler in a criminal investigation into alleged illegal distribution of opioids and other Schedule II narcotics.

Represented multiple independent pharmacies in parallel civil and criminal DOJ investigations regarding sales practices.

Represented a multistate health care organization responding to allegations by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that it improperly received millions of dollars in PPP funding due to violations of SBA affiliation rules.

Represented a Virginia-based otolaryngologist and their practice in a civil fraud case alleging false billing of government health care programs for medically unnecessary procedures.

Obtained a declination of prosecution from the Eastern District of Virginia in a criminal investigation involving a Virginia-based pharmacy client.

Representing health care organizations in self-disclosures to Medicaid and other state regulatory bodies regarding overpayments and compliance issues.

Represented the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division's pattern-and-practice investigation. 

Obtained a declination of prosecution in a criminal tax fraud investigation of an individual investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for alleged tax evasion.

Represented a former CIA officer in a security clearance appeal before the appropriate federal agency.

Represented a tax return preparer for professional athletes in a criminal tax investigation led by the Criminal Tax Division. 

Represented a tax return preparer accused of aiding and assisting the filing of false returns in an investigation by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

Conducted internal investigations into allegations of public corruption at a state university and in public school districts.

Conducted an internal investigation for a North American chain of convenience stores regarding allegations of aiding and assisting the smuggling of tobacco products to avoid tax disparities.

Represented a national immigration services company in an investigation by state insurance regulators.

Advised an international traffic technology company on regulatory compliance issues in multiple state Department of Transportation investigations.

Obtained a denial of prosecution from the Department of Justice's Fraud Section for alleged FCPA violations involving a Latin American energy company. 

Conducted an internal investigation for an international energy company to address allegations of FCPA violations.

Conducted an internal investigation for an international energy company in response to allegations of fraud and identity theft.

Developed a compliance program for a multinational energy company.

Counseled an African mining company on Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions and risk exposure.

Counseled a Canadian manufacturing company on OFAC sanctions compliance related to Cuban sanctions programs.

Advised multiple United States financial institutions and individuals on OFAC sanctions risks associated with accepting payments from Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs).

Represented individuals falsely accused of international sanctions violations in efforts to re-establish their good standing with financial institutions.

Served as lead government counsel in dozens of criminal health care and tax fraud prosecutions.

Served as lead government counsel in FCA investigations of medical practices and hospital systems accused of deceptive billing practices.

Served as lead government counsel in FCA investigations of fraudulent billing by DOD contractors.

Served as co-counsel in public corruption and financial fraud investigations of former Texas State Senator Carlos Uresti and Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo.

Served as criminal tax counsel assigned to FCPA investigation of a European telecommunication corporation.

Served as co-lead counsel in a 10-week jury trial of a homebuilder defendant who conspired to obstruct justice and defraud the United States and various lending institutions of more than $25 million.

Served as counsel in a five-week jury trial against a lawyer and others who conspired to evade assessment of $24 million in income using nominee entities, including a fictitious Irish bank.

Secured a legal victory in a one-week jury trial against two promoters of a $28 million sham trust scheme.

Served as defense counsel in dozens of claims brought pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Defended the constitutionality of government practices throughout the Western District of Texas, including civil and criminal forfeiture procedures during Department of Homeland Security searches and seizures.

Referred a COVID-19 fraud matter on behalf of a large manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, resulting in the successful federal prosecution and sentencing of two individuals who defrauded businesses of over $12 million through fraudulent PPE sales during the pandemic.