Overview
Benton (Ben) Curtis is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial attorney who represents individual and corporate clients in government investigations, as well as in related civil and criminal proceedings that typically involve allegations of health care fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, and kickback violations. Ben likewise represents corporations that have been victimized through internal or third-party misconduct, often in the form of an exceptional theft or fraud. Ben has tried more than 25 federal jury trials in district courts all around the country, and calls upon that experience when counseling his clients in truly high-stakes matters.
Prior to private practice, Ben served for ten years with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which tenure included extended stints in Miami, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. In his last position, Ben served for almost five years as an Assistant Chief in DOJ’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, where he supervised numerous large-scale health care fraud investigations and prosecutions around the country. He also oversaw significant FCPA investigations related to the entertainment and gaming industries, and a number of insider trading and high-yield investment matters.
Results
- Represented numerous, former health care executives in connection with parallel civil and criminal investigations conducted by DOJ into alleged violations of Federal Anti-Kickback and Health Care Fraud Statutes
- Represented former South American minister in connection with DOJ FCPA and money laundering investigation *
- Represented president of South American football association in connection with DOJ’s corruption investigation of FIFA*
- Represented former CFO of government contractor in connection with criminal investigation by SIGAR and DOJ *
- Represented Major League Baseball player in connection with obstruction and perjury allegations *
- Represented global medical device company in obtaining temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions against former employees who attempted to sell misbranded and adulterated devices *
- Represented Caribbean state-owned entity in civil lawsuit against former procurement officer and numerous third-party vendors (domestic and foreign), alleging multi-million dollar kickback and bid-rigging scheme *
- Represented joint venture in metals recycling industry in civil lawsuit against former employee and competitor businesses, alleging multi-million dollar kickback and theft scheme *
- Represented global plastics company in obtaining preliminary injunction against former employee based on trade secret and non-compete violations *
- Represented prominent, public healthcare district and provided regulatory advice as needed *
- Represented sizable international company and assisted with drafting FCPA codes of conduct and compliance procedures
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
Recognitions
- Dade County Bar Association, Rising Legal Superstar, 2018
- Assistant Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award, 2011
Community
- Florida Bar Association, member
Credentials
Education
Samford University Cumberland School of Law, JD, 2001
Springhill College, BA, 1997
Admissions
Florida
Alabama
District of Columbia
Tennessee
