Jonathan defends companies, educational institutions, and individuals in a variety of business disputes in state and federal courts. As a federal prosecutor, he represented the government in hundreds of cases, including matters alleging violations of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, an economic sanctions program administered and enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury. In total, Jonathan led more than 150 successful federal criminal prosecutions as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida.
He now serves as the Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Shareholder at Gunster Law Firm where he is the head of the firm’s white-collar defense and internal investigations practice. Below is a sampling of matters handled in the past six years.
- Defended certified public accountant and firm in connection with a Department of Justice Investigation (no charges threatened).
- Defended petitioner and his estate against a cryptocurrency seizure by the Florida Office of Attorney General, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and related criminal investigation by the Office of Statewide Prosecution (obtained dismissal of forfeiture action).
- Defended entrepreneurs and related companies in a criminal investigation and related civil proceedings in the Western District of Pennsylvania (no charges threatened).
- Defended medical company in Food and Drug Administration investigation (no charges brought).
- Defended employees in a criminal investigation and related civil matter by the Justice Department alleging violations of the False Claims Act (no charges brought, and no civil penalties imposed).
- Served as co-counsel for a public official in a criminal case alleging campaign finance violations (charges dismissed by government after filing of motion to dismiss).
- Defended public official in Florida Commission on Ethics investigation (no penalty imposed).
- Defended public official in Florida Statewide Grand Jury investigation (no charges threatened).
- Defended public official in Grand Jury investigation (no charges threatened).
- Defended subjects of a Securities & Exchange Commission investigation concerning alleged insider trading (no liability or sanctions imposed).
- Defended various Florida businesses in response to consumer protection investigative subpoenas (no lawsuits filed).
- Defended an interstate business in a civil action filed by the Florida Office of Attorney General alleging violations of the Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (favorable settlement reached).
- Defended a physician in an investigation by Broward Sheriff’s Office and related civil demand letter (finding of no probable cause).
- Defended a physician in an investigation by the Florida Office of Attorney General (no charges brought).
- Defended various Florida and national companies in response to Federal Grand Jury subpoenas for documents and testimony.
- Defended importer and target of federal investigation in response to allegations of illegal smuggling of goods and customs violations (no charges brought).
- Defended target of federal fraud investigation in response to grand jury subpoena (no charges brought).
- Defended client against criminal forfeiture of assets after guilty plea and sentencing (obtained favorable, partial release of seized assets).
- Defended victim in a criminal investigation by the Palm Beach County State Attorney concerning elder abuse.
- Defended target of federal investigation concerning alleged embezzlement (no charges threatened).
- Defended target of criminal investigation by local police concerning alleged larceny and property destruction (no charges brought).
- Defended company in connection with criminal arson investigation (no charges brought).
- Assisted client in connection with application to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) concerning sanctioned country business.
- Assisted victims of corporate theft, embezzlement and fraud in reporting to federal and state law enforcement.
- Advised clients regarding compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and trained employees company-wide.
- Led internal investigations concerning embezzlement, fraud, securities violations, discrimination, cyber incidents, and executive misconduct.
- Represented organizations in cyber threat investigations and reputational risk matters.
- Conducted internal investigation on bank and wire fraud allegations for a financial institution.