Alec Chiquoine, a former federal prosecutor and in-house investigations attorney, represents individuals and institutions in criminal and civil matters, with a particular focus on white-collar criminal defense, government investigations, corporate internal investigations, and high-stakes civil litigation. At McGovern Weems, Alec addresses each client’s unique needs, devising creative yet practical strategies tailored to the specifics of each case. His experience includes handling matters related to allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, civil rights violations, executive misconduct, and human exploitation, many with a cross-border element.

Prior to joining McGovern Weems, Alec led global investigations for one of the world’s largest private companies. In this role, he represented the company in international government investigations and managed a team of attorneys and investigators conducting internal investigations into a wide array of material matters ranging from alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), money laundering, food and animal feed safety, tax evasion, financial fraud, sexual misconduct by senior executives, theft of trade secrets, and data breaches. Alec also managed a portfolio of civil litigation matters that included material construction disputes, environment, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, product labeling claims, and food safety and recall issues. He developed an expertise in attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine in the context of corporate and international internal investigations as well as the management of employee communications in regulated and unregulated industries.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Alec appeared in court hundreds of times and successfully tried four jury trials to verdict. He oversaw investigations and prosecuted cases charging wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, false statements, public corruption, civil rights violations, and a variety of violent crimes.

Before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Alec worked as a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator. In these roles he defended individuals and companies against state and federal criminal charges and represented corporations in material civil litigation.

Alec Chiquoine

Associate

312.550.6895
alec@mcgovernweems.com

Linkedin

EDUCATION:

J.D., University of Minnesota Law School
magna cum laude

B.A., Beloit College
summa cum laude

CLERKSHIPS:

Hon. Susan Richard Nelson, U.S. District Court, DMN

GOVERNMENT SERVICE:

Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, DMN

Legal Analyst, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Policy

Policy Analyst, U.S. Marshals Service, Office of the Director and Deputy Director

ADMISSIONS:

Minnesota

U.S. District Court, DMN

U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Prosecutorial:

  • Secured a multi-count conviction at trial against an individual who evaded more than $10 million in federal income taxes.
  • Led the investigation and prosecution of fifteen employees of a financial institution who defrauded the Economic Injury Disaster Loans program and Paycheck Protection Program.
  • Investigated and tried the first arson case following the civil unrest in the Twin Cities in 2020. Oversaw the investigation and indictment of the first instance of the federal riot statute being charged in the District of Minnesota.
  • Prosecuted multiple law enforcement officers on charges of public corruption, civil rights violations, and child sexual exploitation.
  • Achieved an eight-count conviction at trial against a repeat sex offender who victimized dozens of children online and used sophisticated means to conceal his electronic footprint, resulting in a sentence of life plus ten years.

Defense:

  • Represent a foreign integrated supply chain services provider for cross-border e-commerce, responding to multiple U.S. government allegations and enforcement actions, and a series of commercial disputes with U.S. counterparties.
  • Advised a member of a Congressional Committee in connection with an insider trading inquiry.
  • Represent an international businessman against a federal indictment alleging an international trafficking scheme.
  • Represent a foreign national facing a federal indictment for computer fraud and other charges related to the operation of largest "botnet" that allegedly used illicit VPN services to defraud customers and other federal programs out of billions of dollars.
  • Represented a Japanese national whistleblower in a DOJ bribery investigation.
  • Represent a cryptocurrency mining and lending company, as well as its CEO, against a federal investigation involving alleged investment fraud relating to cryptocurrency investments.
  • Represented a foreign national against a federal indictment charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly orchestrating a $260 million “social engineering” crypto heist. 
  • Defended a foreign national who was a marketer for a newly developed defi protocol against charges of fraud and the offering of an unregistered security brought by the Texas State Securities Board (TSSB).
  • Secured the full dismissal, with prejudice, of federal bank fraud charges against a real estate investment executive based on government misconduct. Managed case discovery consisting of more than one terabyte of data.
  • Obtained an acquittal for a city councilman on criminal charges that he improperly assisted a voter in casting a ballot and ultimately had the law declared unconstitutional on preemption grounds.
  • Negotiated a misdemeanor plea for a client originally charged with numerous felonies alleging millions of dollars in medical assistance fraud.
  • Represented the CEO of a medical device manufacturing company against False Claims Act charges.
  • Conducted internal investigations for a medical device manufacture related to alleged violations of anti-kickback statutes.
  • Coordinated and oversaw federal and state subpoena responses for a national pharmaceutical manufacturer related to parallel criminal and civil drug marketing investigations.

Civil:

  • Represent client in front of major global financial institution in efforts to release and transfer of decedent's assets from the U.S. to a foreign estate.
  • Counsel to Saudi-based entity in recovering more than US $7.5 million in funds lost to sophisticated phishing and fraud scheme. 
  • Represent U.S. investment fund in the asset forfeiture process, filing claims for recovery of funds seized pursuant to a Department of Justic criminal prosecution of U.S. sanctions and anti-money laundering laws.
  • Represent private equity principal in employment dispute involving claims for breach of employment and limited partnership agreements, discrimination, and retaliation.
  • Representation in filing arbitration for wrongful termination by asset management company, breaches of employment contract, wage theft, and discrimination.
  • Secured a favorable settlement for a large, regional credit union accused of red-lining home lending practices.
  • Represented a major window manufacturer pursuing product defect claims worth over $200 million against a supplier, winning partial summary judgment which ultimately resulted in a favorable settlement.
  • Negotiated a six-figure mediation award for an executive client who was refused coverage by a D&O insurer.