Introduction
Robert McManigal regularly counsels corporate executives, boards of directors, board committees, and corporations in internal investigations, as well as related criminal and civil enforcement and litigation proceedings. With more than a decade of government experience, including as a former FBI special agent and special assistant United States Attorney, Robert leverages his background to defend clients in complex cases including those involving fraud, corruption, money laundering, and other white-collar crimes.
My focus
I focus my practice on internal corporate investigations, government investigations, and state and federal government enforcement actions regarding a wide range of allegations, including wire and mail fraud, securities fraud, corruption, conspiracy, money laundering, False Claims Act claims, and other white-collar crimes. I regularly represent companies and individuals before the DOJ and SEC, in criminal and civil proceedings, and in confidential internal investigations.
Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I worked for over a decade in the Department of Justice as an Intelligence Analyst and Special Agent with the FBI and then as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where I was responsible for investigating complex fraud and tax schemes, bribery, money laundering, RICO, and general crimes. During my time with the government, I was the lead investigator on several high-profile white-collar prosecutions that resulted in numerous criminal convictions. I leverage this experience to help clients targeted by government agencies avoid and mitigate legal and reputational risks and achieve positive outcomes.
Representative experience
Representative Experience
- Representing an international medical device manufacturer in conducting an internal investigation into allegations of antitrust and Foreign Corrupt Practice Act violations
- Representing a client in parallel corporate and SEC investigations regarding accounting and investment fraud
- Representing medical provider in False Claims Act action alleging medical billing and procurement fraud
- Representing a manufacturing company in a DOJ investigation into complex corporate accounting fraud and kickback scheme
- Representing a national management firm in conducting an internal investigation and responding to a parallel State Attorney General inquiry into allegations against a senior executive
- Representing a statewide medical practice in DOJ False Claims Act matter
- Counseling a technology company in an internal investigation into allegations of fraud by corporate executive
- Representing a medical practice in parallel internal and DOJ investigations into accounting fraud
- Representing CEO of a technology company in multi-agency criminal and civil investigations into national security violations
Prior Government Experience
- US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Special Assistant United States Attorney, 2020–2021. Received a rare appointment from the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to try cases as a special assistant United States attorney
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Special Agent, 2014–2021; Intelligence Analyst, 2011–2014. Worked on white-collar investigations, focusing on cases targeting major economic crime and corruption. Initiated and completed several complex white-collar cases involving public corruption and money laundering, as well as financial, corporate, and bank fraud
Looking ahead
Recent initiatives by government enforcement agencies have intensified the pressure on corporations and their senior executives to maintain robust internal controls and promptly address suspicions of wrongdoing. Now more than ever, it is critical for corporations to respond effectively to internal allegations and government inquiries to avoid costly investigations and penalties.
In the news
- Bloomberg Law
Cayuga Nation power struggle entangles multiple New York courts
Nov 18, 2024This article covers the ongoing clash between Cayuga Nation’s current governing faction and Nation members who believe that faction is violating their traditional way of governance, and how related lawsuits are forcing multiple courts to grapple with the issue of where tribal and state jurisdictions intersect. NP is mentioned in the coverage for representing Nation member Dustin Parker and maintaining that the federal court lacks authority to rule on tribal law issues—a position upheld by the New York State Supreme Court Fourth Appelate Department in July 2024. The NP team is led by Complex Disputes partner Dan Hurteau of Albany and counsel Erik Goergen of Buffalo, and Washington, DC Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense associate Bobby McManigal.
- Bloomberg Law
Contrast dye maker, providers escape suit over free equipment
Dec 28, 2022This article, which covers the dismissal of a lawsuit against medical device maker Bracco USA Inc. and several healthcare providers over an alleged scheme involving free medical equipment, mentions NP for representing one of the providers in the case (NYU Langone Health System Inc.). The NP team includes Long Island Healthcare partners Lindsay Maleson and Rebecca Simone, and Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Adam Tarosky and associate Bobby McManigal, both of the Washington, DC office.
- The Boston Globe
Federal prosecutors seek to dismiss charges against MIT professor accused of concealing ties with China
The following article covers the federal government’s motion to dismiss charges against MIT professor and NP client Gang Chen related to his China ties. The stories quote Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher, and the team defending Dr. Chen also includes Boston GIWC partner Brian Kelly and associates Scott Seitz and Brianna Nassif. In addition, GIWC associates Tom Barnico of Boston and Bobby McManigal of Washington, DC, Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Henry Caldwell, and Boston GIWC paralegal Joelle MarkAnthony have done critical work on this matter.Jan 20, 2022 - The New York Times
US moves to drop case against MIT scientist accused of hiding China links
The following article covers the federal government’s motion to dismiss charges against MIT professor and NP client Gang Chen related to his China ties. The stories quote Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher, and the team defending Dr. Chen also includes Boston GIWC partner Brian Kelly and associates Scott Seitz and Brianna Nassif. In addition, GIWC associates Tom Barnico of Boston and Bobby McManigal of Washington, DC, Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Henry Caldwell, and Boston GIWC paralegal Joelle MarkAnthony have done critical work on this matter.Jan 20, 2022 - Associated Press
US drops case against MIT professor accused of ties to China
The following article covers a federal judge’s dismissal of all charges against MIT professor and NP client Gang Chen related to his China ties. The stories quote Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher. The team defending Chen also includes Boston GIWC partner Brian Kelly and associates Scott Seitz and Brianna Nassif. In addition, GIWC associates Tom Barnico of Boston and Bobby McManigal of Washington, DC, Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Henry Caldwell, and Boston GIWC paralegal Joelle MarkAnthony have done critical work on this matter.Jan 20, 2022 - The Washington Post
Charges dismissed against MIT professor accused of hiding research ties to China
The following article covers a federal judge’s dismissal of all charges against MIT professor and NP client Gang Chen related to his China ties. The stories quote Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher. The team defending Chen also includes Boston GIWC partner Brian Kelly and associates Scott Seitz and Brianna Nassif. In addition, GIWC associates Tom Barnico of Boston and Bobby McManigal of Washington, DC, Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Henry Caldwell, and Boston GIWC paralegal Joelle MarkAnthony have done critical work on this matter.Jan 20, 2022 - Law360
MIT professor defeats China-ties case as feds reverse course
The following article covers a federal judge’s dismissal of all charges against MIT professor and NP client Gang Chen related to his China ties. The stories quote Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher. The team defending Chen also includes Boston GIWC partner Brian Kelly and associates Scott Seitz and Brianna Nassif. In addition, GIWC associates Tom Barnico of Boston and Bobby McManigal of Washington, DC, Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Henry Caldwell, and Boston GIWC paralegal Joelle MarkAnthony have done critical work on this matter.Jan 20, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal
US drops case against MIT professor accused of hiding China ties
The following article covers a federal judge’s dismissal of all charges against MIT professor and NP client Gang Chen related to his China ties. The stories quote Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher. The team defending Chen also includes Boston GIWC partner Brian Kelly and associates Scott Seitz and Brianna Nassif. In addition, GIWC associates Tom Barnico of Boston and Bobby McManigal of Washington, DC, Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Henry Caldwell, and Boston GIWC paralegal Joelle MarkAnthony have done critical work on this matter.Jan 20, 2022
Admitted to practice
District of Columbia
New Jersey
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Education
Rutgers University, School of Law, J.D.
Fairleigh Dickinson, M.S.
Monmouth University, B.S.
Professional activities
- Robert McManigal previously served as the Secretary for the Board of Directors of Heroic Gardens, a nonprofit that helps disabled and elderly veterans in the NJ/PA tristate area.
Recognition
- Assistant United States Attorney General Award for Exceptional Service & The United States Attorney’s Award for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Both awards were conferred in connection with the successful investigation and prosecution of a former US congressman.
- Philadelphia FBI Case Awards. Conferred for distinguished service in cases targeting major economic crime and corruption.
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllRobert Fisher
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1335
- rfisher@nixonpeabody.com
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Hannah Bornstein
Partner / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1217
- hbornstein@nixonpeabody.com
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