Robert I. Targ

Partner

Successful international and domestic litigator for individuals and institutions in complex, high-stakes money laundering, fraud, white-collar criminal defense, and customs cases.

Frequent seminar and conference speaker on asset seizure and forfeiture, money laundering issues.  Martindale-Hubbell AV rated.

For Diaz Reus international clients, concentrates on:

• federal trial and administrative matters involving asset seizures and forfeitures,
• health care fraud and abuse,
• criminal fraud and money laundering,
• criminal or civil matters involving Customs laws and regulations.

Former Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, responsible for federal civil forfeitures at trial, appellate levels; federal tort litigation and civil fraud proceedings.

Previously Miami Assistant Regional Counsel, United States Customs Service, advising Customs Officers and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Puerto Rico on civil and criminal Customs Service matters.

Representative Cases:

• Represented international fraud victim in $13.5 million investment in bogus letters of credit and promissory notes. Working in Miami, London and Cairo, recovered $7.0 million and assisted FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in successful perpetrator prosecution.
• Represented major metro hospital emergency room doctors/owners in FBI Medicare/health-insurance billing-fraud investigation. Result:  No charges filed.
• Defended major ship’s broker against $1.4 million U.S. Customs Service penalties for fraudulent U.S. sugar entry by chartering party.  All penalties against ship’s broker cancelled.
• Turned back most-serious felony charges against doctor accused of unlawfully prescribing drugs through Internet pharmacy operation.  Client got probation.
• Defended bonded courier/air carrier against $1.2 million U.S. Customs Service penalties assessed for cocaine discovered in unmanifested cargo.  Penalties mitigated to $18,000, company absolved of further responsibility.
• Represented former Latin American government officials in U.S. Customs Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office money-laundering investigation. Criminal charges dropped, asset forfeiture mitigated.