Press & Notable Cases
Chuck Ross has been recognized as a New York City metropolitan area Super Lawyer and is rated “AV” by his peers in the influential Martindale-Hubbell legal directory — the highest rating given.
Chuck Ross has been involved in many high-profile matters. However, the attorneys of Charles A. Ross & Associates recognize that criminal cases require extraordinary sensitivity. For this reason, we operate on a “need to know” basis only, and do not discuss matters outside our close-knit team. This extremely discrete approach, combined with our “walk through walls” devotion to our clients, has often yielded favorable outcomes that have never become public knowledge.
Because even those matters that have gained public attention remain sensitive for those who entrust us with their lives, we do not publish the names of our clients and undertake extraordinary efforts to avoid publicity altogether. However, at times publicity is inevitable. In those instances, we protect our client’s trust in us by our commitment, dedication, and sensitivity to guide them through the potential glare of public scrutiny.
What follows is a representative sampling of notable matters that have received public attention.
Alleged "Hacking and Trading" SEC CaseMr. Ross is currently representing a Ukrainian national who was accused by the SEC of violating insider trading laws by trading on information allegedly obtained through computer hacking. Southern District of New York Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald ruled that the defendant is not liable under § 10(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act because he owed no duty either to the source of the information or to those he transacted with in the market. The SEC has appealed the ruling. New York Times | February 15, 2008“Make Big Profits Illegally (and Maybe Keep Them, Too)”New York Law Journal | January 24, 2008“No ‘Insider Trading’ Found in Alleged Data Hacking”“Theft of Information and Securities Law”Back to Top |
|
Personal Assistant Alleged Theft CaseMr. Ross is currently representing a former personal assistant to the managing partner of a hedge fund who was charged with grand larceny after she filed a sexual harassment suit against her former boss. New York Magazine | November 30, 2007“Personal Assistant May Have Bought More Than Edible Panties with Boss’ Credit Card”Back to Top |
|
Saks Fifth Avenue Markdown CaseMr. Ross is currently representing a senior buyer in connection with the criminal investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The investigation focuses upon complex accounting issues and the treatment of markdown allowances. Fortune | August 22, 2005“Marked Down: How Fashionable Saks Fifth Avenue Swapped Style for Scandal—And Turned Itself into a Bargain-Priced Takeover Target”Back to Top |
|
Circulation Fraud InvestigationMr. Ross represented the former Chief Executive Officer of a Long Island business that was under investigation in connection with allegations of circulation fraud. Newsday | March 11, 2005“Circulation Probe Spreads to Magazines”Newsday | February 7, 2008“Bankruptcy Court Documents Shed Light on Inflight”Back to Top |
|
AIG Insider Trading InvestigationMr. Ross represented a trader in connection with the criminal probe of the Fortune 50 insurance company AIG. The wide-ranging and extensive investigation focused on allegations of insider trading and securities violations. Wall Street Journal | May 23, 2005“AIG Executives Face Criminal Probe”Back to Top |
|
Options Backdating CaseMr. Ross is currently representing an individual caught up in the massive options grant investigations conducted by the Department of Justice and the Securities Exchange Commission. The case involves complicated issues of accounting, disclosure, and corporate governance. Wall Street Journal | January 18, 2007“Monster Options Investigation Widens”Back to Top |
|
Glenn Gould Archive Theft CaseMr. Ross was retained by Library and Archives Canada to assist in the recovery of valuable stolen artifacts of the famed Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. The case involved extensive negotiation with local prosecutors, liaison with the Canadian Department of Justice, and representation of witnesses at trial. CBC News | May 14, 2006“Biographer’s Detective Work Turns Up Stolen Gould Material”Back to Top |
|
Off-Label Pharmaceuticals InvestigationMr. Ross is currently representing a former executive of a major multinational pharmaceuticals company that is under investigation in connection with Department of Justice allegations of unlawful off-label marketing. New York Times | July 22, 2006“Indictment of Doctor Tests Drug Marketing Rules”Back to Top |
|
Stock Loan InvestigationMr. Ross represented an individual in connection with an industry-wide investigation into stock lending and finding practices. TheStreet.com | July 7, 2006“Feds Launch Probe of Stock Loan Abuses”Back to Top |
|
Offshore Gambling CaseMr. Ross is currently representing an individual charged with enterprise corruption in a massive offshore gambling indictment. New York Times | March 28, 2007“Authorities Break Up Illegal Sports Gambling Operations in New York and New Jersey”Back to Top |
|
Attorneys General Investigation of Major Insurance BrokerMr. Ross represented the world’s fifth largest insurance brokerage firm in connection with an investigation by state attorneys general alleging misuse of contingent commission payments. Reuters | December 19, 2006“Three Attorneys General Sue Acordia”Back to Top |
|
Long Island "Slavery" CaseMr. Ross represented one member of a couple charged in federal court with compelling the forced labor of employees, in a matter that received an extraordinary amount of press attention. ABC News | May 16, 2007“N.Y. Couple Faces Forced Labor Charges”Back to Top |
|
Royal Ahold Accounting Fraud ProsecutionMr. Ross represented a number of individuals in a massive alleged accounting fraud investigation brought by regulators and prosecutors against an international food conglomerate based in the Netherlands and the U.S. New York Times | January 14, 2005“9 Executives Face Charges of Sales Fraud”Back to Top |
|
Attorney General Investigation of Staten Island University HospitalMr. Ross represented a Senior Vice President at Staten Island University Hospital who was under investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office in connection with accusations of fraudulent billing. New York Times | May 18, 2005“Hospital Agrees to Repay State $76.5 Million”Back to Top |
|
Empire State Building Extradition CaseMr. Ross represented a noted French businessman in a highly publicized extradition proceeding in the Southern District of New York. The case involved an alleged fraud to steal the underlying value of nine French castles and a joint venture with Donald Trump to purchase the Empire State Building. The Wall Street Journal reporter Mitchell Pacelle wrote a book about the case, Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon, in which Mr. Ross is featured. New York Times | February 15, 1996“Versailles Journal: Proud Castles Stripped, and France Is Scandalized”Back to Top |
|
"Soft Dollar" Fraud TrialMr. Ross represented an investment adviser indicted in the first alleged “soft dollar” fraud trial. The case involved technical securities law issues concerning rebates available for research services. Wall Street Journal | February 12, 1997“SEC’s ‘Soft Dollar’ Probe Yields Its First Major Fine”Back to Top |
|
Prime Bank Note Fraud TrialMr. Ross represented at trial a broker who was charged with promoting an investment opportunity alleged by the government to be “prime bank note fraud.” The case involved highly technical expert testimony and complex international transactions. New York Post | August 15, 2001“Socialite Lied to Boost Pal’s Scam, Jury Told”Back to Top |
|
Manhattan Night Club Attempted Murder TrialMr. Ross represented at trial a night club patron charged with crimes in connection with an assault alleged to have taken place in a popular New York City night spot. New York Times | September 22, 2005“Man, 24, Killed by Gunman After Spilling Drink at a Club”Back to Top |
|
Alleged Murder of New York City Police OfficerMr. Ross represented a citizen of the Dominican Republic who was extradited back to the U.S. to face trial for the murder of a New York City police officer. Daily News | March 8, 2001“Three Dominicans Extradited This Week to U.S.”Back to Top |
|
Building Collapse CaseMr. Ross represented an individual charged with felony reckless endangerment in connection with a notorious building collapse in Manhattan. Village Voice | August 1, 2001“Like a Ton of Bricks: Charges Against Owners in Building Collapse Center on Giuliani Policy”Back to Top |
|
Federal Prosecution of Alleged Computer CrimesMr. Ross represented an alleged computer hacker in a case involving the first government use of wiretaps to intercept data transmissions. Wired | December 1994“Gang War in Cyberspace”Back to Top |
|
Federal Racketeering ChargesMr. Ross represented the alleged consigliore of a reputed New York organized crime family on racketeering and extortion charges. Gang Land | February 22, 2007“The Ultimate Wannabe”Back to Top |
|
Copier Lease Ponzi Fraud CaseMr. Ross represented the Chief Accounting Officer of a Fortune 500 company who was indicted in connection with allegations of corporate fraud concerning the sales of investment opportunities in office equipment leases. Bloomberg Business News | March 30, 1996“Syracuse Company Is Accused of Fraud”Back to Top |
|
Web Pornography Fraud CaseMr. Ross represented a publisher in a unique and complex matter involving one-of-a-kind issues regarding internet advertising, marketing, and chargeback fees. New York Times | May 21, 2003“4th Man Charged in Web Pornography Fraud”Back to Top |
|
Media CommentatorTelevisionMr. Ross regularly appears on television as an expert commentator on criminal cases and high-profile trials. Mr. Ross is often sought out by print journalists for comment on the issues presented by high-profile criminal cases. He is frequently consulted by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Newsday, the New York Post, Securities Law 360, and the National Law Journal. Back to Top |
|