Episode 58

Enforcement Priorities of the Second Trump Administration: IRS Investigations

What’s on the Trump administration’s agenda when it comes to federal investigations?

Listen to the first in a series of episodes aimed at answering that question.

Former IRS Special Agent Jonathan Schnatz joins host Matt Adams to discuss his experience as world events and changing presidential administrations shifted IRS priorities during his 25-year tenure in the Criminal Investigations division.

Now a Principal at Withum, Jonathan shares his opinions and prognostications on the administration enforcement priorities for the IRS, including the suggestion that IRS agents will be deployed to the U.S./Mexico border.

Matt and Jonathan also dig into the recently released IRS “Dirty Dozen” list and weigh the likelihood of them becoming enforcement priorities.

Episode 57

Wired for Truth: The Art & Science of Polygraphs

The polygraph test: We’ve all seen it used in popular movies, but what is it the truth behind how it’s used in the criminal justice system?

Jerry Lewis, a retired New Jersey State Police lieutenant who’s been administering polygraphs since 1981, joins host Matt Adams to peer inside the mechanics of the test.

They explore the science at work in a polygraph machine and the art of questioning a subject — and how to identify when someone is lying without a polygraph.

Jerry also addresses criticisms of the polygraph, defends his opinion on forced confessions and discloses the role he played in catching the killer of Megan Kanka, the namesake of Megan’s Law.

From executive orders to state laws, elements of ESG are being transformed.

Podcast hosts David Colvin and Karen Davis, who also co-chair the firm’s ESG Practice Group, explore the impact of the New York Climate Change Superfund Act and consider how it may serve as a springboard toward a potential uptick in state climate change actions.

They also turn to the Trump administration’s executive orders regarding DEI. This episode explains what the actions mean for government contractors as well as private companies. It also offers suggestions on what companies should do during the safe harbor period that runs until April of this year.

Episode 56

A Strategic Gamble: The Risks, Costs and Rewards of Going to Trial

Statistics weigh heavily against defendants in the criminal justice system. Only 0.4% were acquitted after trial in federal cases during fiscal year 2022.

In this latest podcast episode, host Matt Adams is joined by firm colleague Patrick Egan, whom Matt describes as “the type of trial lawyer you go to when your only option is to roll the dice and go to trial taking a shot against all odds.”

Patrick, a Fox Partner and Chair Emeritus of the firm’s White-Collar Criminal Defense & Regulatory Compliance Practice, discusses how he navigates clients through the decision to go to trial and shares his insights into the political and procedural reasons why statistics favor prosecutors.

Patrick also recounts the details of one of his most high-profile acquittals involving a Philadelphia politician innocent of the charges lobbied against him.

Episode 55

The Power of the Presidential Pardon: Traditions and Turning Points

Recent presidential pardons by both sides of the political aisle are unprecedented in their purposes, which were wielded both to reward and protect.

That’s according to Rachel Barkow, Charles Seligson Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Zimroth Center on the Administration of Criminal Law at New York University School of Law.

A prolific author who is recognized as one of the country’s leading experts on criminal law and policy, Rachel joins host Matt Adams for a timely discussion exploring the historical use of presidential pardons, the standard vetting process for requests and how the pardons issued in January by the both the outgoing and incoming presidents diverge from traditional uses of the power. They also speculate on how — and if — the process could change in the future, should a president have the interest in altering authority granted by the Constitution.

You won’t want to miss this enlightening episode.

In the second part of his conversation with host Matt Baum, Jeff Nash, CEO and Co-Founder of Bridgemark Strategies, shares the due diligence all advisors should undertake to ensure their clients will be supported both during and after a sale. He also counsels on the value of hiring top legal counsel for corporate transactions – and why they are more than worth the price.

He additionally reveals his trademarked “three Fs” that advisors should assess before moving to a new firm, as well as offers tips for career success to advisors just embarking on the profession.

Episode 54

The Flaws of FARA: Feeble Oversight of Billions in Foreign Influence

Journey back in time as we explore the origins of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) — and trace its impact on reshaping the public image of some of the most corrupt foreign entities over the past 50 years.

Author Casey Michel returns to the podcast to join host Matt Adams to discuss Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World.

Casey’s book highlights the failures of FARA, which was enacted in 1938 to require agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities to publicly disclosure their activities.

Discover the fascinating roots of FARA’s inception and dig into the law’s influence on American history.

You’ll also learn why Casey’s book landed him on Vladimir Putin’s sanctions list and if FARA reform is in the future.

Episode 53

Diagnosis: Innocent – A Doctor’s Journey to Acquittal

For six and a half years, Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai, a physician from Easton, Pa., lived in fear and anxiety that life as he knew it was over.

A leader in telehealth psychiatric services since the early 2000s, Dr. Rifai was charged with fraudulently billing more than $1 million to Medicare, stemming from his practice treating elderly patients in a rural area.

In this episode, Dr. Rifai describes his harrowing experience to host Matt Adams. It could be a tale straight from a television show, featuring a government raid by agents carrying automatic weapons, an early morning call from the local SWAT team lieutenant and a key government witness who crumbled under cross-examination on the stand.

Dr. Rifai also imparts words of wisdom for anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation, and details how he combatted fierce pressure by the government — and his own attorney — to plead guilty.

Living with a manipulative parent who exercises coercive control can be a silent struggle for children.

Dr. Christine Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW, a clinician and social work professor, joins Sandra Fava to highlight the profound consequences of parent-on-parent abusive relationships on a family.

They detail the often unexpected and counterintuitive responses that can manifest for children as coping mechanisms when a parent is abusive. They also discuss the best ways to support a child who is experiencing this in their family life.

With laws already changing in some states, Christine and Sandra speculate on how the court and legal systems could better respond to families and individuals victimized by coercive control abuse.

Cybersecurity Insurance: Coverage Challenges and Changes

In the second part of their conversation, Ralph Pasquariello, a Senior Partner and cyber liability specialist at The Tech Collective, joins host Juliana Neelbauer to discuss the various reasons for the rapid changes in cyber insurance coverages.

They explore the AI elements that are incorporated into social engineering, the importance of two-factor authentication and more. Ralph also details his newly launched initiative that is helping executive teams in 12 states effectively evaluate cyber insurance policies.