Scott Tenley

Scott Tenley is a partner at Zweiback, Fiset & Zalduendo. He is an experienced trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who represents individuals and businesses faced with high-stakes criminal, civil, and regulatory challenges. His practice focuses on criminal and regulatory enforcement defense, complex civil litigation in state and federal courts, and compliance counseling.

Scott’s nationwide criminal defense practice is broad-based. He has represented clients charged or under investigation for healthcare fraud, wire fraud, insurance fraud, public corruption, pandemic-related fraud, and sanctions violations. Scott also counsels clients, typically healthcare providers, on compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Ending Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA), and California’s commercial bribery laws.

Prior to joining ZFZ Law, Scott served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles and Orange County for over seven years. During that time, he investigated and prosecuted dozens of prominent white-collar cases involving healthcare fraud, honest services fraud, mail and wire fraud, and money laundering. Among other notable matters, Scott prosecuted the largest healthcare fraud in California history, involving nearly $1 billion in fraudulent billing for illegal surgical referrals to Pacific Hospital of Long Beach. He prosecuted countless public safety crimes as well, including what GQ magazine described as “one of the most sophisticated and lucrative smash-and-grab [robbery] sprees in U.S. history.” While at the Department of Justice, Scott tried eight cases to verdict and briefed or argued numerous appeals before the Ninth Circuit. For his work, Scott was awarded the 2020 Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an AUSA and presented with the 2019 ATF Honor Award by the Deputy Attorney General.

Before his tenure with the Department of Justice, Scott was a commercial litigator and white-collar defense attorney in the New York offices of Wilson Sonsini and Latham & Watkins. In those positions, he represented clients in “bet-the-company” litigation and federal criminal matters, and conducted sensitive internal investigations for corporate clients across an array of industries. From 2007 to 2008, Scott served as a law clerk to United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney in the Central District of California.

Scott is a frequent commentator on legal issues both nationally and within Orange County. He has appeared on CBS2 Los Angeles and offered insight to USA Today, the Daily Beast, and Bloomberg, among other media outlets.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE MATTERS

• Represent entertainment industry executive charged with violating OFAC regulations by engaging in transactions with sanctioned foreign nationals.
• Represent business in connection with grand jury investigation by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Army Intelligence into alleged mishandling of export controlled and classified information by former employees.
• Represented crime victim in connection with federal prosecution of employee accused of embezzling millions from company over 18-year period.
• Represented entertainment industry executive under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service in connection with $100 million PPP loan fraud scheme; no charges filed.
• Represented Los Angeles-based retail pharmacy in connection with bulk cash seizure in connection with drug trafficking investigation; no charges filed and seized cash returned.
• Represented founder of proprietary trading firm in Galleon-related insider trading case in the Southern District of New York.
• Represented Chief Executive of packaging company in embezzlement and tax fraud prosecution in the Eastern District of New York.
• Represented publicly traded online education company in connection with various state Attorney General investigations into alleged fraudulent business practices.
• Represented energy company operated by family of federal public official in connection with Department of Justice investigation of alleged bribery.
• Represented international apparel company in connection with a federal grand jury investigation into alleged visa fraud.

INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS

• Conducted internal investigation on behalf of regional broker-dealer under investigation by the Department of Justice and SEC for alleged market manipulation and failure to supervise.
• Conducted internal investigation on behalf of international manufacturing corporation regarding alleged malfeasance by accounting personnel.
• Conducted internal investigation on behalf of international transportation company in connection with fraudulent representations made during U.S.-based acquisition.

SELECTED LITIGATION AND ARBITRATIONS

• Represented national mortgage lender in employment discrimination lawsuit seeking over $500,000 in compensatory damages; case settled for $400 after filing of motion to dismiss.
• Represented co-founder of Los Angeles-based hedge fund in dissolution and fiduciary duty-related litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and arbitration.
• Represented international apparel company in various federal court litigation and arbitration hearings arising out of trademark and licensing disputes.
• Represented founder of Hudson News in $300 million probate litigation resulting in complete victory at trial and largest sanctions award in New Jersey history against opposing counsel for engaging in frivolous litigation.

• University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 2006)
• The George Washington University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2000)
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Admitted to practice in California and New York