Alert 02.13.25
Chris Caffarone is a former accountant and assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York who represents corporations and senior executives in government and internal investigations and complex commercial litigation.
Chris has extensive experience handling complex matters, having conducted and supervised hundreds of investigations, prosecutions and cases in both the public and private sectors. He has tried 11 federal jury trials, handled more than 25 appeals and argued 13 cases before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He managed a complex and diverse portfolio of litigation involving securities fraud, accounting fraud, insider trading, health care fraud, cybercrime, bank fraud, tax fraud, investment advisor fraud, money laundering, public corruption, racketeering, murder and obstruction of justice. As an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chris examined Fortune 500 companies’ financial statements and SEC filings, and evaluated their internal controls.
Representative Experience
- During his 15 years as an AUSA, Chris investigated, prosecuted and supervised cases, including complex white collar criminal matters.
- He spent five years at an AmLaw 100 firm representing corporate clients in commercial disputes and complex federal and state civil actions, primarily in the area of securities litigation.
- As an auditor, Chris planned, coordinated and administrated the day-to-day execution of audit engagements, reviewed Fortune 500 companies’ annual and interim financial statements and related disclosures, and prepared reports evaluating companies’ internal controls.
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Government Experience
- During an eight-month trial, convicted CEO and COO of a publicly-traded company for a complex $200 million accounting fraud, securities fraud and insider trading (U.S. v. Brooks).
- Led investigation and successful prosecution of seven defendants, including after a six-week trial, for their roles in a $400 million securities fraud (U.S. v. Ciccone).
- Tried the highest-ranking public official in Nassau County and his spouse for bribery and obstruction of justice (U.S. v. Mangano).
- Led investigation and prosecution of defendant for engaging in a $60 million Ponzi scheme (U.S. v. Barkany).
- Prosecuted real estate mogul and investment fund manager for securities fraud for engaging in a $100 million investment scheme (U.S. v. Callahan).
- Led investigation and prosecution of business owner and tax preparer, who was an attorney and former IRS revenue agent, for $30 million tax evasion (U.S. v. Kornblatt).
- Led investigation and successful prosecution of an investment advisor for securities fraud in connection with a multi-million dollar investment scheme (U.S. v. Perera).
- Led investigation and prosecution of 10 defendants, including an NYPD detective, responsible for more than 45 commercial and residential burglaries, stealing approximately $10 million in cash and property (U.S. v. Arias).
- Prosecuted 15 members and associates of the Pagan’s Outlaw Motorcycle Gang for racketeering, attempted murder and weapons offenses (U.S. v. Ebeling).
- Conducted numerous racketeering trials involving murder, rape, sex trafficking, witness tampering, robbery and narcotics trafficking (U.S. v. Lewis, U.S. v. Davis, U.S. v. Osborne, and U.S. v. Smith).
- As the acting chief of the Business and Securities Fraud section, supervised 13 attorneys responsible for prosecuting complex frauds, including the trial of senior executives of a hedge fund with more than $1 billion in assets under management responsible for operating a scheme to defraud bondholders of an energy company (U.S. v. Nordlicht).
- As the co-coordinator of the Transational Elder Fraud Strike Force, conducted community outreach and investigated individuals committing frauds against the elderly.
- As the deputy chief of the Long Island Criminal Division, supervised an office that serviced a population of 2.8 million people, led 17 prosecutors, and coordinated with numerous federal agencies and more than 30 local police departments.
- Supervised more than a hundred cases, including a $700 million health care fraud case (U.S. v. James).
Professional Highlights
Honors and Awards
- Henry L. Stimson Medal, New York City Bar Association
- Two-time Recipient of Exceptional Service Award, National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys
- Three-time Recipient of the True American Hero Award, Federal Drug Agents Foundation
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- Federal Prosecutor of Year Award, Federal Law Enforcement Foundation
- Outstanding Service Award, Detectives Crime Clinic of Metropolitan NJ and NY
Education
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J.D., New York University School of Law
B.B.A., Accounting, University of Notre Dame
Admissions
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New York
Courts
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York