Public corruption investigations are built over months or years by federal and state agencies. By the time charges are filed, the government has assembled an extensive record. You need an attorney who has been on the inside of these investigations.
Talk to Brent DirectlyFederal Criminal Defense
Public Corruption Defense
Public corruption cases are among the most complex and consequential matters in federal criminal law. Whether you're a public official, government contractor, or private citizen facing bribery, extortion, or fraud charges, the stakes demand experienced federal defense counsel.
What Public Corruption Charges Involve
Federal prosecutors aggressively pursue public corruption cases using a broad array of statutes. These cases often involve lengthy investigations, wiretaps, cooperating witnesses, and allegations that span years. Common charges include:
- Bribery of public officials and witnesses (18 U.S.C. § 201)
- Hobbs Act extortion and robbery
- Honest services fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1346)
- Federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. § 666)
- Money laundering and conspiracy charges
- RICO and racketeering allegations
- Campaign finance violations
- Federal tax charges arising from unreported payments
Who Faces Public Corruption Charges
These cases reach across both the public and private sectors. Prosecutors target elected officials, appointed administrators, law enforcement officers, judicial employees, school district personnel, and the contractors, vendors, and lobbyists who interact with them. If you have been contacted by investigators from the FBI, IRS-CI, or any federal agency, or if you have received a grand jury subpoena, you need counsel before you speak with anyone.
The Federal Prosecution Advantage
Federal public corruption prosecutors are experienced, well-resourced, and often investigate targets for years before making an arrest. By the time charges are filed, the government has typically built a substantial record — intercepted communications, bank records, and cooperating witnesses who have already agreed to testify.
Defense in these cases is not just about contesting facts at trial. It requires evaluating the investigation's foundation, challenging the legal theories prosecutors rely on, assessing cooperator credibility, and identifying constitutional issues in how evidence was gathered. These decisions are made early and they matter for the outcome.
Brent Chapell's Federal Background
Brent Chapell served as a federal prosecutor and as Chief of the State Appellate section, where he worked alongside law enforcement agencies and saw firsthand how these investigations are built. That experience — understanding how the government assembles a case from the inside — informs how he approaches the defense.
He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and represents clients in both state and federal court. In federal corruption matters, he evaluates the full scope of the investigation, develops a defense strategy tailored to the specific allegations, and handles the proceedings directly.
If You Are Under Investigation
Many public corruption cases begin with a request for voluntary cooperation — an interview, a document request, or a subpoena. These contacts may seem informal, but they are not. Anything you say can be used against you. Before you respond to any government inquiry, speak with a defense attorney who understands federal practice.
Retaining counsel early preserves your options. It allows your attorney to engage with prosecutors before charges are filed, to understand the scope of the investigation, and to shape how the situation develops. Waiting until charges are filed narrows those options significantly.
BOARD CERTIFIED FEDERAL DEFENSE COUNSEL
Public corruption investigations require immediate, experienced attention. Brent Chapell handles these matters directly — from the first government contact through resolution. The consultation is confidential.
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