What Is the DOJ Focusing on Now? 7 White Collar Offenses You Can’t Afford to Ignore

By Barry Wax

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News

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Oct 17, 2025

Executive Summary:

The DOJ is increasing criminal enforcement in 7 key areas: healthcare fraud (including private insurance), COVID-19 relief fraud, crypto fraud, corporate compliance failures, antitrust violations, securities fraud, and public corruption. Meanwhile, the underfunding of court-appointed defense is creating systemic issues in federal courts. Business professionals, especially those in high-risk industries, should take these priorities seriously and ensure they have the proper legal support.If you think white collar enforcement has slowed down, think again. While much of the country focuses on politics or border control, the Department of Justice has quietly shifted its priorities, and they’re aggressively pursuing certain types of financial and corporate crime.

Whether you’re a business owner, healthcare provider, accountant, or board member, you need to understand what’s getting attention right now and what the risks are. The DOJ doesn’t prosecute for sport. It goes where it believes it can make an impact. And right now, that may include you or your company.

1. Healthcare Fraud (Including Private Insurance Fraud)

The DOJ continues to aggressively pursue healthcare fraud, particularly schemes involving false billing, medically unnecessary services, and kickbacks. But they’ve also widened the scope. Now, it’s not just Medicare and Medicaid. They’re also pursuing fraud involving private insurers, especially under laws like EKRA.

2. COVID-19 Relief Fraud

PPP loan fraud, EIDL abuse, and misrepresentations in pandemic-era relief programs remain active targets. Many people assumed these were over. They’re not. DOJ has recently created new strike forces to track down people who misused funds, even years later.

3. Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Fraud

Crypto fraud is now a full-blown priority. The DOJ has been targeting insider trading on NFT platforms, pump-and-dump schemes, and fraudulent crypto investments. If you’re running a platform or managing client funds in the crypto space, this is not the time to get casual with compliance.

4. Corporate Misconduct and Compliance Failures

The DOJ has made clear that companies with poor internal compliance programs will be treated more harshly. In 2023, they updated guidance to prosecutors to assess whether companies self-disclose violations, cooperate fully, and hold bad actors accountable. Individual accountability is a recurring theme.

5. Antitrust and Price-Fixing

Companies in the construction, healthcare, tech, and staffing/recruiting sectors are being investigated for collusion and price-fixing. Wage-fixing and no-poach agreements are also under the microscope, particularly in industries where labor shortages persist.

6. Bank, Wire, and Securities Fraud

These are still bread-and-butter federal charges, especially when public companies are involved. DOJ is working closely with the SEC to track misleading disclosures, false financial statements, and manipulation of investor funds.

7. Public Corruption and Misuse of Public Funds

Local and state officials, contractors, and government program vendors remain a steady target. If you’ve received public money, either directly or through a vendor agreement, be aware: the DOJ is monitoring where that money goes and who benefits from it.

ALERT: A Crisis in the System Nobody’s Talking About

Even as DOJ ramps up prosecution in these areas, the system is cracking. In the 2024 budget, Congress allocated over $150 billion to ICE, but underfunded court-appointed defense for indigent clients under the Criminal Justice Act.

As a panel attorney in the Southern District of Florida, I’ve seen this firsthand. We’ve had two moratoriums in less than a year where we could not get paid for our work. The latest one began in July 2025 and runs until October. Payments are now being delayed until the current government shutdown is resolved, and may even extend into the 2026 budget cycle, creating a ripple effect that will impact thousands of federal cases.

This is more than an inconvenience. It’s a constitutional crisis. About 80% of people charged with federal crimes rely on appointed counsel. If the defense side of the system is not properly funded, the whole system is in danger of collapse.

The Bottom Line

These DOJ priorities aren’t just policy shifts, they’re signals. If you or your business operates anywhere near these focus areas, it’s time to pay attention. What used to be seen as a compliance issue or internal matter can now land you on the DOJ’s radar with serious consequences.

I give people in trouble the ability to make the right choices and regain control of their lives. If you’ve been charged or are worried you’re under investigation, I will take the time to understand your situation, your family, and your future, and help you make the right move. Click here to contact my firm today.