Senior Financial Investigator

About the Role

Organizes and conducts detailed examinations of information generated during complex financial criminal/civil investigations and information available through alternative sources for the purpose of conducting financial analyses of personal/business assets of targeted organizations/individuals. Utilizes information obtained as a result of the financial analysis and prepares documentation for use by law enforcement personnel pursuing civil and criminal forfeiture matters.

Develops forfeiture processes and procedures associated with ongoing financial investigations, including the introduction of specific tools and techniques to analyze financial information. Provides advice and guidance to fully develop the forfeiture aspects of investigations, including educating agency agents on tools and techniques through informal and formal training sessions, as well as designing and distributing reference guides.

Responsibilities

• Analyze financial records obtained by investigating agencies through internal and external databases, including bank statements, deposits, debit transactions, checks, letters of credit, Currency Transaction Reports (CTR), loan applications, and related records obtained via subpoenas and search warrants.
• Review documents to identify hidden assets, false statements, and illicit assets disguised as legitimate.
• Assist in determining the amount to seek for forfeiture, tracing assets during investigations, and helping the government perfect its interest in property.
• Locate and repatriate assets subject to forfeiture.
• Identify individuals and entities making deposits, along with related bank accounts, properties, investments, and other assets.
• Maintain detailed case documentation and database files to trace proceeds of criminal activities and investigative interests in targeted property.
• Research and analyze information from investigative and business-related automated systems, including Choice Point, Autotrack, TECS, FINCEN, CLEAR, THREADS, Accurint, ISYS, Lexis-Nexis, PACER, CourtLink, West Law, NADA, UsedPrice.com, and other internet capabilities.
• Perform research and analysis activities such as documenting ownership interests of targeted properties, tracing proceeds of criminal violations, creating databases from financial records, and preparing seizure warrants, civil complaints, and forfeiture counts.
• Prepare exhibits on the source and ownership of targeted property, and document and catalog evidence.
• Identify, analyze, and document potential substitute assets.
• Research and identify assets using social media, cyber research tools, data amplification programs, and cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin).
• Provide additional services, such as parsing dialed number strings, to identify amounts and property subject to forfeiture.
• Assist in developing sufficient probable cause for seizure warrants, temporary restraining orders, civil complaints, and forfeiture counts.
• Provide investigative support with coordinated planning to mitigate risks in seizing targeted property, including assessing community impacts (e.g., seizure of an occupied apartment complex).
• Identify witnesses and subjects and assist case agents/attorneys during interviews and courtroom proceedings regarding ownership and source of targeted property.
• Provide courtroom testimony and depositions regarding investigative analysis and identification of assets derived from unlawful activities.
• Conduct detailed link analyses specific to forfeiture, utilizing financial analysis and investigative techniques (e.g., Title III surveillance) to determine relationships between subjects and events leading to alleged forfeitability of property.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required.
• For Senior Financial Investigator (SFI): Minimum of ten years of law enforcement experience planning, conducting, and participating in complex financial investigations, with at least five years in a specialized area such as forfeiture, organized crime, white-collar crime, fraud, drug investigations, money laundering, or similar.
• For Financial Investigator (FI): Minimum of five years of law enforcement experience in complex financial investigations.
• Working knowledge of current financial investigative techniques, including the use of commercial databases and other information sources.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Foreign language skills preferred.

Skills

• Proficiency in analyzing financial records and identifying hidden assets.
• Experience with commercial databases and investigative tools (e.g., Choice Point, Autotrack, FINCEN, Lexis-Nexis, Accurint).
• Ability to prepare legal documentation, including seizure warrants, civil complaints, and forfeiture counts.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including experience with social media, cyber research tools, and cryptocurrencies.
• Ability to provide courtroom testimony and depositions.
• Experience conducting link analyses and tracing proceeds of criminal activities.
• Knowledge of forfeiture processes and procedures.