Profile

Services
White Collar, Investigations and Securities Enforcement and Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
Securities and Governance Litigation
Compliance
Emerging Issues
Blockchain Technologies and Digital Currencies
Overview

A seasoned litigator, George Stamboulidis has tried dozens of complex federal jury trials as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. Recognized for his experience in the areas of white collar and business defense, George is regularly engaged by corporations, directors and officers to advise and defend in complex federal grand jury and regulatory investigations. George is trusted for his integrity and sound judgment in corporate monitorship positions. He has been appointed a federal monitor five times by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

George is co-leader of BakerHostetler's national White Collar, Investigations and Securities Enforcement and Litigation team, which is ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. He is a nationally recognized lecturer on corporate criminal liability and the use of proactive defense tactics, and he regularly presents to members of the financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, energy, construction and real estate industries, among others.

Select Experience

White Collar Criminal Defense

Secured complete dismissal of all charges against the CEO of a half-billion-dollar nationwide commercial real estate conglomerate charged in a 73-count fraud and money laundering indictment. Unwavering commitment to establishing the client's innocence resulted in the filing of a compelling pretrial dismissal motion, which established that the indictment was obtained through a defective grand jury process. As part of a multipronged defense strategy, following the pretrial hearing, the entire indictment was dismissed by the court.
Obtained full dismissal of a multicount felony indictment against the president of one of New York City's largest HVAC contractors. Used extensive knowledge of the New York construction industry to persuade prosecutors that the client was not the proper target of a wide-ranging criminal investigation into corrupt billing practices of general contractors, who exploited subcontractors to overcharge high-end construction clients.
Complex Commercial Litigation

Obtained a federal jury victory for the defense in alleged antitrust price-fixing in the auto parts market.
Represented a corporate entity in a trademark infringement case in which a competing brand filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction barring the client from using four logos on licensed goods. Worked to level the playing field for the client during the trial, which resulted in a jury unanimously finding that three of the four trademarks adopted by the client did not infringe on the opposition's trademark rights.
Monitorships

As part of its investigation into the collapse of Enron, was selected by the DOJ to serve as the outside independent monitor of Merrill Lynch, at the time the largest firm in the world by capital. Leading a team of attorneys and auditors, reviewed Merrill Lynch's implementation of policies and procedures governing the integrity of complex structured finance transactions and, in close consultation with both senior management, the Board of Directors and the DOJ, made recommendations to optimize policies, controls and training firm wide.
Was the principal responsible for BakerHostetler's engagement in its DOJ appointment to serve as Independent Examiner of the Bank of New York. Led a team of attorneys and forensic auditors in monitoring the bank's suspicious activity, reporting practices and anti-money-laundering procedures, as well as its compliance with related laws and regulations. In addition to the bank, reported directly to the United States Attorneys' Offices for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the New York State Banking Department.