Agency Related Insights & Resources

Hospice fraud is a serious enforcement priority for Medicare, and federal regulators are under pressure to police sham entities, abusive billing, and suspect ownership structures and healthcare fraud. Recent reporting and criminal enforcement actions, particularly in California, have added to that pressure. But aggressive enforcement creates a second danger: regulators...

Memphis, Tennessee – The verdict returned this week in United States v. Sanjeev Kumar closed a federal trial that bore little resemblance to the case the public was first told it was witnessing. What began as a sensational prosecution framed around sexual misconduct and human trafficking ultimately narrowed into a...

If you think the John Bolton case is just another “classified‑documents” brawl, you haven’t read the charging paper. This is not a storage‑unit saga; it’s a diary‑to‑family indictment with compartments like HCS and SI splashed across the pages, an alleged Iran‑linked hack of a personal AOL account (yes, AOL), and...

The United States airline industry, once the crown jewel of American ingenuity, is now on the brink of collapse—not because of war, terrorism, or technological stagnation, but because of unchecked greed. In 2025, the illusion of safety has finally unraveled. Behind the glossy terminals and frequent flyer perks lies a...

Nov 12  Written By Ronald Chapman II If a federal judge sees credible evidence that someone may be innocent—or that Congress itself now says his sentence is way too long—should the judge be allowed to take that into account when deciding compassionate release? On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear Fernandez...

A prosecutor who lacks a law license, a jury that does its own research, strict liability for doctors who issue prescriptions and a crime without a harm. This is our current system of justice its getting more perverse every day. This is the unfortunate case of a physician prosecuted after...

George Jakesy, the outspoken hedge fund manager and alleged fraudster, has secured a victory over the SEC that restores the right to a jury trial for many Americans. The case is SEC v. Jarkesy which was decided by the Supreme Court in June of 2024. The jarkesy decision held that...

The Supreme Court leaked a decision in a controversial abortion case, resulting in an early preview of the ruling. Was it a mistake? Supreme Court attorney Ronald W. Chapman II discusses the pending Supreme Court cases such as Fischer v United States, Jarkesy v. United States, as well as important...

In SEC v. Jarkesy the future of the federal administrative system is at issue. Jarkesy, a hedge fund manager, appears before the Supreme Court to argue that a jury trial is required before SEC and administrative agency fines. He also argues that removal protections for administrative judges is unconstitutional.

SEC v. Jarkesy is one of the most important administrative cases to come before the Supreme Court in decades. When the Federal Administrative Law Judge’s Conference wished to weigh in on this important matter they turned to Ronald W. Chapman II and Matthew Pelcowitz of Chapman Law Group’s Supreme Court...

The unlawful retention and dissemination is a serious offense often earning defendants significant jail time. Jack Teixeira a National Guard Airman was charged with two counts under the Espionage Act for disclosing classified material on a discord server. He has not yet been charged with treason which could land him...

Banks created a boneheaded fraud scheme that was unsuccessful. This didn’t stop the government from securing a 104 month sentence based on his “intended” amount of fraud. The 3rd Circuit disagreed with the Government finding that the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines clearly relate to the “actual” loss and not the intended...

President Biden announced a three-step plan for addressing prior marijuana convictions. Federal Defense Blog answers your burning questions about this development.

The CDC COVID-19 mask mandate has been declared unlawful by a federal judge in the Middle District of Florida. In a 59 page ruling, Judge Mizelle declared the mask mandate an unconstitutional exercise of government power. Airlines were quick to permit the widespread removal of masks.

The top pick on President Biden’s very short Supreme Court nomination list goes to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson a former public defender, advisor to the sentencing commission, and D.C. District and Circuit Judge.

FDA Warning Letter vs. FDA Form 483: The Difference Can Decide What Happens Next One of the most common questions companies ask after an FDA inspection is this: What is the difference between a Form FDA 483 and an FDA warning letter? The short answer is that a 483 is generally...

A major federal appellate decision may significantly change how the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) prosecutes pharmacies for controlled-substance violations. In Neumann’s Pharmacy, LLC v. DEA, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected the DEA’s long-standing interpretation of two key Controlled Substances Act regulations governing pharmacists: 21 C.F.R....

Criminal Prosecution Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) Federal criminal prosecutions for FDA adulteration and misbranding charges have become one of the most aggressive—and least understood—frontiers of modern white-collar enforcement. Conduct that was once addressed through inspections, warning letters, or civil remedies is now increasingly charged as...

Introduction Cryptocurrency has become a new frontier in federal asset forfeiture. In recent years, federal agencies have aggressively pursued pre-trial seizure of digital assets – meaning they can take control of your cryptocurrency before any criminal trial or conviction. As a result, ordinary citizens and even defense attorneys often find...

The 2025 One‑Stop Guide to U.S. Prescription & Controlled‑Substance Rules For prescribers navigating DEA, telemedicine, CMS/Medicare, private payers, and key state rules (MI, FL, CA, NY, IL). Last updated: September 24, 2025. (This guide is informational, not legal advice.) Why this guide? If it feels like every agency—and every state—wrote...

How to File a Federal Asset Seizure Claim Form When the government seizes your property—money, vehicles, or other assets—it begins what’s called an administrative forfeiture. To contest that seizure and protect your rights, you must act quickly and properly. Failing to file a claim on time means you lose your...

I travel the country defending individuals entangled in the federal legal system, and I’ve seen the Supreme Court’s processes both enchant and frustrate clients and lawyers alike. Today, I’d like to walk you through the essentials of drafting a Supreme Court petition and seeking that almost mythical certiorari grant. We’ll...

Chevron is dead. But how does this impact the DEA? What about doctors who are accused of unlawful distribution?   Introduction Chevron deference might sound like a complicated legal term, but it’s a concept that has played a huge role in how federal agencies like the DEA operate. It all...

Understanding Federal Crimes in the United States The landscape of American criminal law is intricately divided between federal and state jurisdictions, each with its own set of rules, procedures, and offenses. This article delves into the nuances of federal crimes, exploring their distinction from state offenses, the roles of the...

A Comprehensive Guide to Federal Criminal Defense (2025) This article is an excerpt from: By: Ronald W. Chapman II Navigating the Labyrinth of Federal Investigations: Am I Under Federal Investigation? As a seasoned federal criminal defense attorney, I’ve witnessed the anxiety and uncertainty that often accompany the prospect of a...

Understanding federal drug laws The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) The Controlled Substance Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et. seq., placed all substances into one of five schedules. The schedules in order of potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are drugs that are considered to have no medical use and are illegal...

How to Sue the Federal Government: A Comprehensive Guide by Expert Attorneys Table of Contents Introduction: Understanding Sovereign Immunity and the Right to Sue the Government Article III, Section 2, Clause 1: Judicial Power and Sovereign Immunity Key Cases on Sovereign Immunity The Federal Tort Claims Act: A Pathway to...