If you’re going through a federal investigation, the new DOJ memo released on May 12 deserves your attention. It’s not just some bureaucratic update—it’s a direct signal about what the Department of Justice cares about right now, and how they plan to treat people caught in their net.
Matthew Galeotti, currently leading the DOJ Criminal Division, put out this new DOJ memo called “Focus, Fairness, and Efficiency in the Fight Against White-Collar Crime.” That title might sound like a press release, but what’s inside has consequences for anyone on the government’s radar.
The short version? The DOJ wants to:
- Speed up white-collar investigations
- Focus on high-impact cases (national security, fraud, financial markets)
- Offer more predictable outcomes for people who cooperate early
So if you’re thinking you’ll wait and see how things shake out, I’d suggest rethinking that. This DOJ memo rewards people who act fast, not those who hope it all goes away.
The Three Words That Matter: Focus, Fairness, Efficiency
Here’s how those words play out if you’re under investigation:
- Focus – They’re narrowing their sights. If your case involves government program fraud, crypto, health care, national security, or international finance—you’re in the priority group.
- Fairness – The DOJ says they’ll give credit to people who voluntarily come forward, cooperate fully, and take action to fix the problem. But there’s no automatic pass. You have to do it the right way.
- Efficiency – They don’t want long, drawn-out investigations anymore. They want quick resolutions. That means if they’re coming after you, they’re moving faster than before.
Are You in a High-Risk Category?
The memo outlines ten areas where prosecutors are told to focus. If any of these sound familiar, don’t wait:
- PPP loan fraud or other government aid misuse
- Investment scams, Ponzi schemes, market manipulation
- Violations involving digital assets or crypto
- Transactions tied to foreign cartels or sanctioned countries
- Money laundering or financial activity linked to national security
- Corporate bribery or deals that might raise red flags overseas
That’s not a complete list, but if your name is in any document that touches one of those areas, assume they’re looking.
Waiting Isn’t a Strategy Anymore
One mistake I see often: people think silence equals safety. That if they just keep their head down, things will pass. But that’s not how the DOJ works—especially not now.
Prosecutors are being told to speed things up. That means:
- You might not get a heads-up before they act
- Waiting too long could make you lose out on options like leniency or early resolution
Self-Disclosure: Worth It or Not?
The memo says that if you come forward voluntarily, cooperate, and take responsibility, you may avoid charges—or at least get a lighter outcome.
But that only works if:
- You disclose before they catch you
- You don’t hold anything back
- You’ve taken steps to fix what went wrong
If you get that wrong, you risk handing them evidence without any benefit in return. That’s why timing and preparation matter so much.
Why You Should Care About Whistleblowers Right Now
The DOJ is expanding its whistleblower rewards program. That means employees, partners, vendors—anyone who knows what happened—now has a financial reason to speak up.
If you think someone would never report you, ask yourself: would they stay quiet if a six-figure payout was on the table?
What You Should Be Doing Instead
If there’s even a hint you’re being looked at, you need to:
- Get clear on what they might be seeing
- Stop assuming your lawyer is doing everything
- Start showing what you’ve been doing to make things right
The government is going to paint a picture of who you are. If you don’t speak into that, they’ll define it for you.
Final Thought: You’re Being Watched Before You Know It
This memo tells us what kind of people the DOJ wants to punish—and what kind they’re willing to work with. But you don’t earn that trust with words alone.
You earn it by:
- Taking action
- Being honest about your mistakes
- Showing you’re not just hoping to escape consequences, but doing something to change what led you here
Join Our Next Webinar: Understand How to Respond, Before It’s Too Late
Every week, we host a live session on how to navigate government investigations. We talk through the new DOJ memo and its priorities, sentencing issues, and what actions people are taking to change the outcome.
You’ll hear from people who’ve lived through it. And you’ll walk away with a clearer next move.
[Register Here for the Webinar]
Best,
Justin Paperny
