Facing Internal Investigation for Misuse of Company Funds? Call a Lawyer Before You Say Anything
Nothing will make your heart sink faster than finding out you are the subject of an internal investigation at work. Whether or not you’ve actually done anything wrong, this type of news can send you into a tailspin, recounting every single thing you’ve done at work in recent months. However, it is crucial that you handle this challenge carefully and appropriately. How you navigate this investigation could very well determine what the future of your career looks like. Working with a white collar criminal defense attorney can help you plan for every possible outcome, and that’s where the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates can help.
For over 25 years, attorney Robin D. Perry has fought aggressively to represent clients who are facing criminal charges. We know the wide range of options that lie before you and how important it is that you protect your freedom and your career. Turn to our team of white collar criminal defense lawyers for the guidance you need; call us at 562-216-2944 to get started.
What You Need to Know About Internal Investigations
First, it’s important to understand that internal investigations are not a criminal investigation. However, if they uncover any evidence of wrongdoing, it’s very likely that a criminal investigation will be the next step. That’s why we recommend connecting with a white collar criminal defense lawyer as soon as there’s any sign of trouble—you never know what is coming next.
The goal of an internal investigation is to discover whether or not an accused employee has enriched themselves or those close to them by misusing company funds or assets. You should expect a rigorous review of your documentation, records, any electronic access of company documents, and communications.
Steps to Take If You Are Under Investigation
It’s normal to panic when you’re facing potentially career-ending allegations, but any white collar criminal defense law firm will tell you that keeping a level head is critical. Panicking often leads to rash decisions and unintentional confessions that can put you in a far worse legal situation.
Throughout this process, avoid speaking to anyone about the details of the investigation without talking to your lawyer first. You should tread extremely carefully when answering questions—think about these conversations in the same way you would think about a conversation with the police. Anything you say could potentially come back to be used against you at the end of the investigation. Keep track of your meetings regarding the investigation.
Do not do anything to attempt to weaken the case against you. Deleting or altering emails and documents is a huge red flag that you did exactly what you’re accused of—and it can lead to further accusations of evidence tampering.
Follow your company’s protocols for internal investigations. Don’t try to be overly helpful, but attend any meetings you must attend and provide records as requested.
Consequences of an Investigation
The consequences of an investigation depend largely on what your company uncovers. The best-case scenario is that they find out the accusations against you were overblown or inaccurate, and the investigation is closed.
The company may also find that you engaged in wrongdoing, but that the extent of the wrongdoing was not enough to warrant a police report. In this case, you may be encouraged to resign to avoid damaging the company’s reputation. This may also preserve your ability to seek work elsewhere.
If the company finds concrete evidence of misuse of company funds, they’ll likely report it to the police and any licensing agencies that handle your line of work. They will also likely terminate you, which may damage your reputation in your industry and make it difficult to find other employment. A criminal investigation could lead to prison time or heavy fines—some schemes may be sizable enough to capture the attention of the FBI. Since this is always a potential outcome, we recommend having a white collar criminal defense attorney in California from the very beginning.
Discuss Your Next Steps With the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates
The earlier you loop in a white collar criminal defense law firm, the more we’ll be able to guide you and advocate for you. Let’s talk about your options and next steps. Call us at 562-216-2944 or reach out online now.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
