Federal Financial Crimes and the Role of the FBI, IRS, and DOJ
June 19, 2025
When you’re being investigated for a federal financial crime, it’s not just one agency you’re up against. Often, multiple federal agencies—including the FBI, IRS, and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)—work together to investigate, charge, and prosecute complex white-collar offenses.
At Glozman Law, we defend clients nationwide who are facing serious financial crime allegations. Whether you’re in Chicago or anywhere else in the U.S., understanding who these agencies are—and how they operate—can be the first step in protecting your rights.
What Are Federal Financial Crimes?
Federal financial crimes—also known as white-collar crimes—are non-violent offenses committed for financial gain. These crimes typically involve fraud, deception, or abuse of trust. Common examples include:
- Wire fraud
- Mail fraud
- Bank fraud
- Money laundering
- Embezzlement
- Securities fraud
- Tax evasion
- PPP loan fraud
- Healthcare fraud
Because these crimes often involve interstate activity, financial institutions, or federal programs, they fall under federal jurisdiction and are aggressively pursued by multiple government agencies.
The FBI’s Role in Financial Crime Investigations
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary federal agency for investigating complex white-collar crimes. The FBI has specialized financial crime units staffed with forensic accountants, digital analysts, and seasoned agents who focus on high-stakes financial investigations.
What the FBI does:
- Leads or co-leads major fraud investigations
- Analyzes financial records and digital communications
- Works with other agencies (like the SEC or IRS)
- Executes search warrants and interviews witnesses
Types of cases the FBI investigates:
- Securities fraud
- Corporate fraud
- Insider trading
- Ponzi schemes
- Mortgage and real estate fraud
- Public corruption
Once the FBI builds its case, it refers it to federal prosecutors at the DOJ, who determine whether charges will be filed.
The IRS’s Role in Financial Crime: It’s Not Just About Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) plays a major role in prosecuting financial crimes, especially those involving tax evasion, money laundering, and fraud.
What the IRS-CI does:
- Traces money and uncovers hidden assets
- Investigates underreported income, shell companies, or offshore accounts
- Builds cases involving financial deception—even when no taxes are directly owed
- Partners with the DOJ for prosecution
Common IRS-CI targets include:
- Business owners hiding income or falsifying expenses
- Individuals or organizations laundering money through complex transactions
- Healthcare providers submitting false Medicare/Medicaid claims
- Fraudsters abusing relief programs like PPP loans
Even if your case doesn’t begin as a tax issue, if there’s a financial trail involved, the IRS may become involved—and they are among the most detail-oriented investigators in the federal system.
The DOJ’s Role: Prosecuting the Case
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is the federal government’s chief prosecutor. Once the FBI, IRS, or other federal agencies complete an investigation, the DOJ evaluates the evidence and decides whether to file charges. DOJ attorneys—called Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs)—handle prosecution in federal court.
What the DOJ does:
- Reviews investigative findings and decides whether to indict
- Negotiates plea deals and pretrial diversion when appropriate
- Prosecutes cases in U.S. District Courts across the country
- Seeks sentencing enhancements and restitution for victims
DOJ involvement signals that the government is taking the case seriously. In many cases, the DOJ coordinates with specialized task forces focused on healthcare fraud, cybercrime, or public corruption.
Why It’s So Serious When Multiple Agencies Are Involved
When agencies like the FBI, IRS, and DOJ work together, they combine investigative power, legal authority, and financial expertise. This makes federal financial crime cases extremely difficult to navigate without an experienced defense attorney.
Multiple agencies mean:
- Larger budgets and longer investigations
- Coordinated subpoenas, audits, and interviews
- A higher likelihood of parallel civil or administrative actions
- Greater sentencing exposure due to overlapping charges
How Glozman Law Can Help
Federal financial crime investigations are high-stakes from the start. If you’re being contacted by the FBI, IRS, or DOJ—or if you suspect you’re under investigation—it’s essential to involve a federal defense attorney immediately.
At Glozman Law, we represent clients across the country who are targeted in complex white-collar investigations. We understand how federal agencies work, how they build their cases, and how to protect you from the inside out.
We don’t wait for indictments. We intervene early, negotiate with investigators, challenge the government’s narrative, and prepare for trial from day one. Contact Glozman Law today for a confidential consultation. We represent clients nationwide and are ready to protect your freedom, your future, and your reputation.