Erin M. Harrigan

Experience

Representative Matters:

• Represented pharmaceutical clients in federal criminal and civil investigations and litigation relating to the manufacture of controlled substances and involving multi-million dollar allegations of violations of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the False Claims Act (FCA), and federal Anti-Kickback Statutes (AKS).
• Defended international pharmaceutical client against civil enforcement action under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA) brought by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office involving the manufacture of opioid medications.
• Co-led a team of 35 auditors and 35 attorneys in a multi-year internal investigation for institutional client into allegations of mismanagement and financial misconduct in a highly-regulated industry.
• Successfully defended high-profile federal licensee in a white collar criminal jury trial alleging violations of state and federal regulations regarding the transport and exhibition of exotic animals, securing the pretrial dismissal of several counts, striking of several counts midtrial, and a jury acquittal on several additional counts.
• Provided appellate representation before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court to transportation executive accused of over $4 million in federal program fraud and money laundering.
• Successfully defended public official in a high-profile, politically charged criminal jury trial against novel charges of making false statements to the media and retaliatory employment actions under the Virginia State & Local Conflicts of Interest Act.
• Conducted internal investigation on behalf of client non-profit organization into serious allegations of gross sexual assault, sexual harassment, financial mismanagement, and discrimination in the workplace.
• Counselled a finance executive of a sports, media and entertainment organization through federal, state, and Congressional investigations into allegations of financial misconduct by the entity.
• Provided rapid response to conduct an internal investigation involving allegations of violations of the False Claims Act by employees of client defense contractor, providing advice and recommendations for remedial action within 24 hours.
• Advises defense contractor clients on compliance with FCA, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS), and other defense industry regulations, and provides rapid response and internal investigation services to clients facing allegations of employee misconduct violating these provisions.
• Successfully negotiated the resolution of allegations of more than $5 Million in violations of the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (VFATA) by the Consumer Fraud Team of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, resulting in no admission of liability and a settlement of $150,000 for a consumer retail goods client.
• Represented former executive of defense contractor against allegations of paying illegal gratuities to civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense involving a multi-million dollar defense contract.
• Counselled private investment managers through investigation by Virginia State Corporation Commission regarding private securities offerings and consumer mortgage lending.
• Conducted internal investigation into management of financial account and provided compliance recommendations under Virginia procurement regulations for client partnered with government agency on projects.

Prior Experience:

• Served as Assistant United States Attorney and Lead Task Force Attorney for the Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, 2014-2020
• Served as Assistant Attorney General in Special Prosecutions & Organized Crime, and Criminal Litigation for the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, 2008-2014
• Directed numerous government investigations in federal and state grand jury proceedings
• Conducted federal and state criminal prosecutions involving organized crime, complex international criminal activity, drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, public corruption, and human trafficking
• Tried federal and state jury and bench trials in Virginia
• Briefed and argued dozens of criminal appeals before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the Court of Appeals of Virginia
• Supplied advice, counsel and drafting assistance on Virginia state criminal laws as part of the legislative team for the Virginia Office of the Attorney General