Carlos F. Ortiz is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive white collar experience. Mr. Ortiz’s background as a federal prosecutor gives him a keen appreciation of the issues facing organizations and individuals when confronted with high-risk tax controversies, allegations of fraud against government agencies, as well as securities and health care fraud. He has an acute understanding of the complexities and nuances involved when corporations and financial institutions need to conduct internal investigations, address issues of corporate governance, or face civil, regulatory, and criminal exposure.

Mr. Ortiz is part of a team of lawyers in our firm who have extensive experience conducting internal investigations and FCPA due diligence, and representing clients in connection with matters involving anti-bribery restrictions worldwide. His practice encompasses matters before all the relevant U.S. and foreign regulatory agencies involved in the FCPA. Mr. Ortiz is known for his ability to lead and coordinate teams in a wide variety of complex matters affecting corporations and financial institutions. Since joining DLA Piper, Mr. Ortiz has conducted numerous internal investigations for pharmaceutical companies on both domestic and international issues.

Before joining the firm Mr. Ortiz had a distinguished prosecutorial career, most recently at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where as Deputy and Acting Chief of the Criminal Division, he supervised eight criminal litigation units--government fraud, commercial crime, securities & health care fraud, terrorism, violent crimes, OCDETF & money laundering, public protection and the Organized Crime Strike Force (overseeing the work of approximately 80 Assistant U.S. Attorneys). During his tenure as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Ortiz tried approximately twenty jury trials in federal court, the majority involving criminal tax offenses. While at the United States Attorney's Office he served in the Special Prosecution Division where he tried a number of high profile corruption cases. As a federal prosecutor, his experience includes issues of fraud, public corruption, criminal tax violations, environmental crimes, securities and health care fraud, and international money laundering. He also served as the international coordinator where he worked closely with the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs in all matters involving international prosecutions.

Mr. Ortiz was responsible for conceptualizing and leading a global financial investigation resulting in one of the most important recent Department of Justice successes and from which other investigations continue—the breakup of a massive international network of Internet-based commercial money-laundering and child pornography rings. In the course of that investigation, he coordinated the efforts of federal and international law enforcement agencies, banks, and credit card companies.

Mr. Ortiz has been recognized in both the United States and in Europe for his role in leading this groundbreaking international investigation. Honored at the White House by President Bush in May 2005, he also received an award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at a Congressional breakfast. Additionally, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association presented Mr. Ortiz with an achievement award and the investigation was recognized at the Service to America dinner in Washington D.C.

In 1996, the Department of Justice awarded him its Special Achievement Award for sustained superior performance, and in 1991, the Tax Division awarded Mr. Ortiz its Outstanding Attorney Award. He has also received commendation letters from the FBI, IRS and DEA. He continues to lecture extensively on topics involving financial crimes and trial advocacy in both the United States and Europe. In 2007, he was named a New York Super Lawyer.

Admissions

• New York
• New Jersey

Memberships

• New Jersey Hispanic Bar Association: President in 2004, Executive Board Member (1999 - 2003)
• National Hispanic Prosecutor's Association - Co-founder, Vice-President (1996)
• American Bar Association
• New Jersey Bar Association

Civic and Charitable

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
  • Member of Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography
  • Member of Law Enforcement Committee
• Governor Corzine's Homeland Security Advisory Transition Committee