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Email: ggoodman@murphyaustin.com
Telephone: 916-446-2300 X3041Geoffrey A. Goodman heads the firm's White Collar Defense team. Geoff is a former state and federal prosecutor who brings more than twenty years of trial experience and an insider's knowledge of the government's perspective in enforcement actions. Geoff represents clients in criminal, civil and administrative matters involving allegations of fraud and abuse, conducts internal investigations and handles complex business litigation.
As an Assistant United States Attorney in Sacramento, Geoff was Chief of the White Collar Crime Unit. Before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Geoff was Senior Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Major Fraud Unit in the California Attorney General's office. Geoff successfully investigated and prosecuted all types of frauds. He won jury verdicts in numerous complex cases, including the largest securities fraud case in the Eastern District (a 75 million dollar fraud against 5,000 investors), a multi-million dollar healthcare fraud, and an advance fee mortgage fraud. Geoff also obtained the first criminal conviction in the country of a Medicare contractor for defrauding HCFA (now CMS) on performance audits.
Geoff came to Sacramento in 1981 to work as counsel to the Assembly Criminal Law Committee. Before that, Geoff was a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County where he successfully tried seven gang homicide cases as a founding member of the Hardcore Gang Unit.
Geoff graduated in the top ten of his class from UCLA Law School where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and went on to clerk for Chief Justices Wright and Bird of the California Supreme Court. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California where he graduated magna cum laude. In non-business hours, Geoff is the singer and harmonica player for the blues and rock band The Mighty Delta Roadmasters.
Areas of Practice
Defending businesses and individuals in criminal, civil and administrative matters involving allegations of wrongdoing, with an emphasis in healthcare matters, conducting internal investigations and handling complex business and intellectual property disputes.
Representative Matters
Criminal Defense
- Successfully defended harness driver against felony race-fixing conspiracy charges in state court; jury acquitted client on all counts while co-defendant was convicted
- Defended CEO of Rural Health Clinic in criminal investigation of Medi-Cal fraud; no criminal charges filed
- Obtained dismissal of federal charges for client indicted for farm subsidy fraud and for client indicted for Medi-Cal fraud and dismissal of state felony criminal charges against automobile dealer accused of fraud
Internal Investigations
- Conducted internal investigation for Regents of the University of California of allegations of illegal acts and misconduct by campus police chief at University of California Davis
- Conducted internal investigation of non-profit corporation with 95 million dollars in annual revenues (an auxiliary of a state commission) to investigate allegations of potential unlawful activity; findings relied upon by outside auditor to complete annual audit
- Conducted internal investigations of alleged billing fraud for various medical groups (including pathology, cardiology and emergency room physicians); determined and disclosed overpayments without any adverse actions taken
State and Federal Civil Matters
- Handled action against California Department of Corrections on behalf of Northern California hospital for failure to pay for emergency room visits by prisoners; obtained settlement of more than ten million dollars
- Co-counsel for hospital in arbitration against major health plan for violating reimbursement contract resulting in recovery of two million dollars
- Defended military aircraft parts manufacturer in state civil action alleging theft of trade secrets and unfair competition and represented manufacturer of enterprise software in federal civil action against independent service provider
- Successfully represented hematologist accused of false Medicare billings in OIG investigation and follow-up civil suit brought by medical group
False Claims Act Defense
- Defended Northern California county in False Claims Act case alleging false billing to Medicare for mental health services; conducted internal investigation and reached favorable settlement in single damage range
- Defended Federally Qualified Heath Center in false claims action brought by whistleblower alleging Medicare and Medi-Cal billing and cost report fraud; achieved favorable settlement without multiple damages, penalties or requirement of Corporate Integrity Agreement
Intellectual Property Litigation
- Defended AOL/Time Warner in federal suit alleging copyright infringement; successfully moved to dismiss action
- Defended Marin County and Tuolomne County in copyright infringement action in Northern District of California; trial court granted motion to dismiss
- Defended chemical company in federal court against allegations of theft of trade secrets, unfair competition and trademark infringement
Administrative Matters
Representative Speaking Engagements and Publications
- Represented cardiologist accused of unnecessary procedures in peer review and Medical Board investigation
- Represented pediatric emergency specialist before Medical Board; accusation dismissed
- “Dos and Don’ts of Internal Investigations”, article in Health Care Compliance Association monthly publication “Compliance Today”, December 2007
- “Dos and Don’ts in Conducting Internal Investigations”, Association of Corporate Counsel, Sacramento Chapter, April 2007
- “Business Battles Over Trade Secrets: Who Owns Them, Who Can Use Them and How to Advise Your Clients”, Sacramento County Bar Association Business Section, February 2007
- “Criminal Tax Enforcement: What Every Practitioner Should Know” Sacramento County Bar Association Tax Section, January 2007
- “The False Claims Act is Alive and Well and Other Things You Need to Know” Healthcare Financial Management Association Spring Conference, 2006
- “When the Feds Come Knocking: What Business Lawyers Need to Know About Criminal Investigations” Sacramento County Bar Association Business Law Section, 2006
- “OIG 2005 Work Plan, It’s Impact upon Healthcare Providers and Operational Implications” Panel, Healthcare Financial Management Association Spring Conference, 2005
- “The Martha Stewart Case—Lessons Learned”, Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Law Section 2004
Honors and Awards
- Directors Award for Superior Performance as Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1996
- HHS Inspector General’s Integrity Award, 1995
- Chief Postal Inspector’s Award, 1993
- Intercollegiate Debate—Third Place at National Debate Tournament; won more than ten national invitational tournaments, including those at Dartmouth College, University of Houston and Naval and Air Force Academies
- National High School Debate Champion
- Martindale Hubbell AV rating
Memberships
- Judicial Advisory Committee, Eastern District of California
- Board of Directors, Sacramento County Bar Association, 2007
- American Health Lawyers Association
- Health Care Compliance Association
- California Society of Healthcare Attorneys
- American Bar Association, White Collar Crime Section
- Sacramento Metro Chamber Health Care Committee
- The Milton L. Schwartz American Inn of Court, 1996-1997
Admitted
All California Courts
U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Education
University of California, Los Angeles
J.D., summa cum laude, 1976
Order of the Coif; Law Review; graduated in top ten of classUniversity of Southern California
B.A., magna cum laude, 1973
Speech Communication
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