William E. Johnston

Representative Matters at Bird Marella 

Trial counsel for one of the country’s largest real estate firms in a nearly four-week jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court in a case involving allegations of defective construction and material non-disclosures in a multi-unit, mixed-use development.

Obtained $1.4 million stipulated judgment in federal court on behalf of publicly-traded shipping and logistics company against former regional executive accused of embezzling over $1 million in company funds. Filed complaint and obtained no-notice temporary restraining order freezing employee’s bank and investment accounts within two weeks of being retained. Frozen accounts later liquidated to satisfy judgment.

Represented health care company CEO in a federal criminal health care fraud investigation related to COVID-19 testing.

Represented U.S. subsidiary of Asia-based electronics company in False Claims Act investigation into PPP loan by Department of Justice. Successfully negotiated settlement that minimized loan repayment penalties.

Representing medical doctor charged by the Department of Justice with fraud and money laundering in connection with PPP loan.

Represented founder/CEO of technology start-up accused by venture capital investor of misappropriating company funds. Successfully negotiated confidential exit from company.

Represented securities attorney called as witness in federal criminal trial of a prominent short seller charged with market manipulation.

Successfully negotiated settlement for software company to threatened class action lawsuit alleging violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

Represented U.S. subsidiary of Japanese video game developer in mass arbitration with over 19,000 individual claimants each alleging violations of California civil rights laws.

Representative Matters at the Department of Justice

Investigation and eleven-week trial of former executives from Outcome Health, a high-profile Chicago-based healthcare technology startup, in a $1 billion corporate, bank, and investor fraud scheme, described by Crain’s Chicago Business as “one of the most high-profile and lengthy white-collar cases in Chicago history.” Mr. Johnston delivered a seven-hour closing argument, resulting in convictions of all three defendants.

Five-week trial of a former CEO of a Las Vegas and Tokyo-based investment company for running a $1.56 billion Ponzi scheme involving the sale of medical debt – one of the largest Ponzi scheme cases ever to go to trial. Obtained convictions on all counts.

Four-week trial of Boston-based executive vice president of State Street Corporation for a scheme to charge hidden commission on billions of dollars of securities trades for pension fund clients. Obtained convictions on most serious charges.

Investigation and two-week trial of former executives and employees of a now-defunct Small Business Administration (SBA) lending partner in the Indianapolis area for a scheme to fraudulently obtain SBA loan guarantees for ineligible borrowers.

Investigation and one-week trial of Wells Fargo branch manager for scheme to launder proceeds of consumer fraud through Los Angeles-area Wells Fargo bank branch.

Investigation and prosecution of Las Vegas-based owner of cryptocurrency and metaverse companies for scheme to defraud over 10,000 retail investors.

Supervision of prosecution of nationwide multi-level marketing business for operating as an illegal pyramid scheme.

Investigation and prosecution of Texas-based owner of oil and gas development company for investor fraud and obstructing SEC investigation.

Prosecution of owner and employees of Miami-based mortgage company for $64 million scheme to defraud the Federal Housing Administration through originating fraudulent mortgages.