Complex Crimes
The Complex Crimes Unit bears responsibility for the prosecution of white collar and other types of sophisticated crime. The Unit includes two sub-groups that focus on the priority areas of corporate and investment fraud and computer crime. In addition to those priorities, the Unit focuses on criminal cases involving public corruption, environmental crime, health care fraud and other types of fraud. In each of these areas, the Complex Crimes Unit promotes and manages collaborative working relationships, both formal and informal, with federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The Corporate and Investment Fraud Group exemplifies the Office's strong emphasis and substantial experience and expertise in the prosecution of investment, securities, and corporate fraud. The four prosecutors who comprise the Group work primarily with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service, Postal Inspection Service, and Inspectors General of various federal agencies. The Office has established a Corporate and Investment Fraud Working Group through which the prosecutors coordinate with state and local law enforcement and civil enforcement organizations such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Securities Division of the Washington Department of Financial Institutions, and the National Association of Securities Dealers.
The Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) Group also represents an important Office priority. As one of a dozen CHIP units located in major U.S. cities, the CHIP Group focuses on crimes involving computers and the Internet, including computer intrusions, intellectual property violations, and Internet fraud. The five prosecutors in the CHIP Group develop cases hand-in-hand with not only federal law enforcement but also with state and local prosecutors and law enforcement though the Cyber Crime Task Force, which the Office has established in conjunction with the FBI and U.S. Secret Service.