A former FBI special agent for more than 30 years, Chris is a licensed Certified Fraud Examiner and an honored and respected investigative agent across the country.
In addition to his investigative skills, Chris has passed all parts of the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) examination. His broad base of experience includes complicated multi-national, national and regional criminal investigations with an emphasis in white-collar and financial crime, public corruption, health care fraud, organized crime, money laundering, criminal enterprise investigations and civil rights.
Chris has testified and provided litigation support in dozens of federal and state criminal trials and has presented grand jury testimony and summary case presentations in more than 50 investigations throughout five judicial districts. His significant litigation experience also included serving as the lead case agent for trial preparations, exhibit development, witness preparations and expert summary testimony. He has also served as trainer for the FBI and developed and presented complex case briefings for executive law enforcement officials. While at the FBI, Chris had Top Secret/SCI national security clearance and served as a certified hostage negotiator.
As a Supervisory Special Agent, Chris directly oversaw and managed the programs responsible for long-term investigations utilizing sophisticated investigative techniques to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal threats posing significant national and local community risk. In this role, he built significant relationships with senior law enforcement officials, as well as political, community and business leaders throughout the country.
In private practice, Chris partners with attorneys to investigate both criminal and civil matters and leads internal investigations with the goal of protecting clients from indictment or other penalties, Chris has a successful track record against federal agencies in cases throughout the country. His recent work includes:
- Assisted with the representation of a medical provider in a DOJ investigation alleging improper pricing; matter resolved with no press attention for a pittance of predicted penalties.
- Assisted with the representation of a major healthcare company in a multi-year investigation regarding payments made to providers as required. After presentation of information obtained through the review and analysis of archived data systems the government declined intervention in the multimillion-dollar False Claim Act matter.
- Lead an independent internal investigation for a multinational company focused on allegations of corruption involving an executive level manager. Identified numerous ongoing business practices that violated existing corporate ethics and compliance policies and obtained admissions from these involved; allowing for resolution without litigation.
- Participated and managed numerous domestic internal investigations for publicly-traded and privately held companies in a variety of industries, including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, education, and construction. Also participated and managed internal investigations in the areas of healthcare fraud, employee misconduct, data breaches and environmental violations.
- Conducted a FCPA investigation and government compliance for a global financial services company involving allegations of bribery to middle-eastern officials.
Recognition
- Thirteen separate FBI performance, case specific and leadership awards, 1992-2014
- FBI Quality Step Increase award for highest available rating and sustained performance of high
- quality, 1996, 1997, 2007, 2009
- FBI Director’s Mid-Management Advisory Committee, Peer Elected, 2005-2007
- Executive Committee of the FBI Director’s Special Agent Advisory Committee, Peer Elected, 2001-2005
- Special commendation from U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Congressmen Todd Tiahrt for work associated with the kidnapping of U.S. citizens by Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, 2002
- Special commendation from Attorney General Janet Reno in recognition of a highly sensitive civil rights investigation, 1999
- Nominated for Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for Excellence in Law Enforcement, 1998
- Nominated for Director’s Award for Excellence in Investigations, 1997
- Named “Agent of the Year” by the Heart of America Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents, 1997-1998
Education
• University of Central Missouri, B.S. & B.A.; Criminal Justice, Accounting
Industries
• Healthcare
• Life Sciences
• Manufacturing
• Technology
• Transportation
Practice Areas
• Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Breach Response
• Digital Health
• Government Compliance, Investigations & Litigation
• Government Solutions Hospitality
• Human Trafficking Compliance
• Tax
• Tax Controversy
• White Collar Criminal Defense
Contact
T: 202.249.6900
cbudke@torridonlaw.com
13354 Manchester Road, Suite 210
St. Louis, Missouri 63131