Jon S. Barooshian

An invoicing investigation uncovers widespread fraud

Jon was hired by a Massachusetts manufacturer when the HR director of the company realized that invoices were being padded. “This was typical of a lot of cases I’ve handled,” Jon said. “I investigated who was involved and determined how we were going to prove it.” As Jon proceeded to investigate the client’s allegation of fraudulent invoice and expense practices, he began to unravel a widespread scheme involving several employees. “My report to the client could have served as an indictment. It resulted in several employees being terminated with cause and saved my client hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.”

An internal investigation neutralizes federal accusations against a New England business

When the part owner of a business in New England was suspected of money laundering, the federal government, as Jon put it, “went after him hard” with a forfeiture petition. Jon took the time to figure out how his client’s business made money and then sat him down in front of the U.S. Attorney, FBI and the IRS. “He explained how his business worked, and everybody’s jaw dropped.” The matter was resolved favorably for Jon’s client.

Other experience

Tax controversy

• National digital marketing company in a tax controversy involving sales tax audit and employee classification issues. Identified the appropriate structure to minimize tax burden.
• Family-owned construction company in a tax evasion claim related to payments to non-citizen workers. Mitigated financial restitution and sentencing.
• Resolved a $2 million Department of Revenue “responsible person” claim on behalf of a restaurant manager for 1.5 percent of total owed.

Criminal defense

• Negotiated resolution of parallel white-collar criminal and civil proceedings on behalf of husband and wife business owners indicted for evading taxes on more than $1 million in revenue. “My clients were the only targets of the investigation that focused on seven individuals to avoid incarceration,” Jon noted.
• Major regional construction company in connection with parallel criminal and civil investigations into alleged OSHA violations.

Investigations in stealing, money laundering and fraud

• Investigated and disclosed financial malfeasance by corporate client CFO to IRS and state tax authorities and minimized trust fund penalty assessments. Jon successfully brought claims against CFO and recovered his client’s costs.
• In response to a civil action by the Attorney General, Jon represented a major global financial services company in connection with an investigation by state regulatory agencies into the client’s alleged complicity into health care fraud.
• Non-profit higher education institution in investigations by state authorities – triggered by Attorney General civil investigative demand – into expense abuse.
• Major regional healthcare company in an internal investigation of corporate bribery and subsequent prosecution of alleged offenders.
• Avoided indictment for a client accused of laundering more than $500,000 of illicit proceeds involving forfeiture allegations. “My client avoided complete forfeiture of property used to facilitate the alleged crime.”

In addition, Jon has had significant experience as coordinating counsel, handling hundreds of thousands of cases nationwide. “I’ve also represented a lot of individuals when disaster strikes,” Jon noted, “whether it has involved tax proceedings, divorce, kids in trouble, an indictment, property in danger or some other looming crisis.”