Daniel J. Vaccaro

Defending Against White-Collar Charges and Government Investigations

Dan has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of criminal cases and investigations in recent years. Among these many representations, he successfully:

• Defended a publicly-traded financial institution in a multi-year SEC enforcement investigation and parallel grand jury investigation involving allegations of financial fraud that resulted in no finding of liability or financial penalty to financial institution
• Defended alcohol beverage distributor in regulatory and criminal enforcement case related to alleged violations of State alcoholic beverage control statutes in implementing regulations.
• Defended biosciences start-up in United States Department of Army criminal investigative procurement fraud investigation alleging fraud related to the Department of Defense’s small business innovation research grant program. 
• Defended a higher education institution in False Claims Act investigation related to use of federal grant funds
• Defended a dairy producer in federal immigration investigation related to worker documentation and various visa programs
• Defended manufacturer of scientific testing equipment in U.S. Department of Commerce investigation related to export activities
• Represented energy trading company in grand jury investigation related to commodities fraud conspiracy
• Defended management employee in SEC investigation of alleged insider trading violations
• Represented national advocacy organization in John Doe investigation related to campaign finance activities
• Defended addiction treatment provider in DEA civil enforcement action
• Defended an industrial refrigeration service corporation in a criminal trade-secret prosecution
• Represented a pharmaceutical distributor in a grand jury investigation related to Medicaid fraud  
• Defended an agricultural manufacturer in an investigation involving a death of a third party by employee operating agricultural equipment
• Defended agricultural insurance agency in grand jury investigation related to insurance fraud in agricultural sector
• Defended securities broker dealer in stock manipulation securities fraud investigation
• Represented former school board director in relation to investigation involving allegations of teacher misconduct with students

Leading Internal Investigations of Alleged Wrongdoing

Dan has conducted numerous internal investigations. Recently, he:

• Conducted internal investigation of state contracted welfare agency related to administration of COVID related cash assistance program using emergency funding allocated to the state through the American  Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021
• Conducted internal investigation of actions by management level employees at solid waste disposal facilities related to compliance with federal and state environmental clean air and clean water regulations
• Conducted internal investigation of actions of former CFO at university related to compliance with federal education regulations
• Conducted internal investigation of actions of employees engaged in an internal fraud and theft scheme against manufacturing facility
• Conducted internal investigation of actions of educator related to historical allegations of inappropriate conduct with students

Counseling on Compliance

Given his previous prosecution experience, Dan is often called upon to develop internal compliance, policies and procedures for clients to comply with various federal and state laws. Dan has prepared compliance programs such as the following:

• Created anti-money laundering compliance program related to pre-paid credit cards for national retailer
• Created Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance and training program for international entertainment and hospitality company
• Created numerous compliance programs related to interaction with federal and state law enforcement for a variety of employers

Prevailing in Complex Civil Cases

In recent years, Dan:

• Acted as lead counsel for all trial and appellate litigation involving a correspondent banking agreement resulting in a $53 million judgment for client
• Represented international manufacturer of beverage equipment in arbitration alleging defect in product resulting in dismissal of all claims against manufacturer
• Represented an insurance-processing and technology company in a dispute against former officers who left the company to begin a competing enterprise  
• Defended a leading manufacturer of street-sweeper equipment in a products liability action  
• Defended an international travel service company in a negligence action arising out of bus accident involving U.S. tourists traveling abroad 
• Defended financial institution against liability claims arising from criminal actions by third party against institution customer
• Defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in arbitration against claims by former CEO related to stock warrants
• Represented financial institution services provider in coverage action against primary and excess insurance policy issuers for losses related to product

Winning Cases — and Recognition — as a Federal Prosecutor

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Dan was responsible for investigating and prosecuting organized crime, capital murder, international narcotics, money laundering, law enforcement corruption, white collar, and other major felony cases. During his service as a federal prosecutor, he:

• Received the U.S. Department of Justice’s Director’s Award for Superior Performance from the U.S. Attorney General
• Received a Special Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Justice for the investigation and prosecution of a former state prosecutor who was involved in a conspiracy with a violent drug trafficking organization
• Received an award from the U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs Service — Office of Internal Affairs for his work on law enforcement corruption cases
• Received an award from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs — Office of Inspector General for the investigation and prosecution of a violent criminal organization responsible for the murder of a federal police officer for the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs
• Served as attorney coordinator for the Puerto Rico–U.S. Virgin Islands High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which was voted “Outstanding HIDTA in the Nation” in 2002, during his tenure

Taking on Big, Multi-Party Litigation as a State Prosecutor

As an Assistant State’s Attorney in Howard County, Maryland, Dan prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases. His work preparing, directing and trying multi-party complex litigation included investigating and prosecuting Howard County’s first organized gang case.