Criminal Defense Lawyers

NY State Attorney General (AG) Defense Lawyers

Criminal Division: New York Attorney General Investigations
The Criminal Division in New York is made up of the Criminal Enforcement Agency, the Financial Crimes Bureau, the Organized Crime Task Force, the Public Integrity Bureau, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The New York Attorney General has the authority to conduct investigations on these suspected of violating certain laws. An Attorney General has the power to prosecute based on his or her jurisdiction that can be found in Executive Law 63.

According to this law, any division or department of the State of New York has the authority to request the New York State Attorney General of New York conduct an investigation or prosecute the commission of any crime that violates the agency. A few agencies in the State of New York include the New York State Department of Education, the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Police, and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

In addition, the Financial Crimes Bureau and the criminal Enforcement Agency have many subunits, which include the Crime Proceeds Strike Force, the Environmental Crimes Unit, and the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit (AIFU).

The Auto Insurance Fraud Unit was founded in response to an executive order that was signed in 2001. This order elected the Attorney General to serve as Special Prosecutor with the authority to investigate and prosecute any criminal offense that relates to motor vehicle insurance claim fraud. This agency consists mostly of attorneys, investigators, and analysts. Because the AIFU is part of the Financial Crimes Bureau and the criminal Enforcement Agency, those subject to an investigation under this agency should expect in-depth, long-term investigations.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is known as MFCU. It is the largest unit in the New York Attorney General’s criminal Division. This is the unit that investigates, penalizes, and prosecutes those who are responsible for fraudulent actions against Medicaid. It is also important to note that the MFCU division is the only law enforcement agency in New York that has the authority to mandate an investigation against those accused of negligence against patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

The MFCU typically takes a team approach to investigations to help identify and investigate hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare facilities of Medicaid providers. From the moment the investigation begins, investigators, attorneys, analysts, and auditors all work tougher to ensure those in violation of Medicaid fraud are held accountable under the law. The MFCU uses the New York State Attorney General’s dual authority to prosecute and seek affirmative action in these situations.

The Organized Crime Task Force is known as the OCTF and is a division of the New York State Department of the Law. This agency deals in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime that takes place in multiple counties or multiple states. The agency identifies any organized crime enterprises, and it uses civil and criminal enforcement to disassemble the presence of organized crime in the State of New York.

It is important to note that OCTF has offices that are located throughout the State of New York, and it is headquartered in White Plains. In most cases, there will be a long-term investigation into offenses that may include trafficking narcotics, money laundering, grand larceny, fraud, corruption, and bookmaking.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

The Public Integrity Bureau is known as the PIB and investigates government agencies to ensure the interest of the public is protected. The PIB has the authority to investigate and take action to ensure that the honesty and integrity of government officials is upheld. In more specific terms, the PIB has the capability to conduct complex investigations into matters that deal with corruption in the government at a state and local level. The PIB is a subunit of the criminal Division, so it can present civil and criminal cases to the New York State Attorney General.

In New York, the Attorney General has designated public integrity officials in every region in the state, which gives New York residents the opportunity to file complains about government corruption in their area. If you need a help during a criminal or civil investigation, it is vital to contact an attorney as soon as possible.