Levi Giovanetto is a seasoned litigator who helps corporate clients facing allegations of fraud from initial internal allegations through government investigation, enforcement proceedings and parallel shareholder and other civil litigation. He has extensive experience handling both civil and criminal matters involving securities fraud, claims involving cryptocurrency and digital assets, health care fraud, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, RICO and other complex financial and regulatory issues.
Levi regularly defends corporations, investment firms, trading firms and executives facing allegations of fraud by civil plaintiffs and in investigations and enforcement proceedings conducted by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other government agencies. He has obtained favorable results at every stage, including dismissals of civil claims, a no-action determination following a multi-year SEC investigation and favorable resolutions for companies and executives facing significant fraud allegations.
Companies and boards also turn to Levi to lead sensitive internal investigations. He has conducted investigations on behalf of audit committees, public companies, universities and other institutions into alleged securities fraud, revenue-recognition misconduct, false statements by senior executives, banking violations, whistleblower retaliation and credit-card fraud. He works closely with clients to determine what occurred, assess potential civil and criminal exposure, preserve privilege and develop a practical strategy for remediation, disclosure and engagement with the government.
Levi is equally experienced in the courtroom. He has defended a criminal defendant charged with health care fraud and Anti-Kickback Statute violations in a four-week federal trial and has litigated civil fraud matters involving the SEC, securities class actions, alleged market manipulation, RICO, the False Claims Act, breach of contract and tortious interference. He has obtained dismissals of fraud-related claims, negotiated favorable settlements in high-stakes securities disputes, won a significant arbitration award and successfully mediated multimillion-dollar commercial cases.
Levi also maintains an active pro bono practice. His work has included winning relief from deportation for a father and son fleeing gang violence and death threats in Central America, obtaining permanent residency for an immigrant under the Violence Against Women Act and securing a favorable settlement in a civil-rights lawsuit brought by students in Mobile, Alabama. While in law school, Levi served as a member of the University of Chicago Law Review.