INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS
VAB conducts internal investigations for public and private boards, as well as compliance and human resources departments. Our clients operate within a wide range of industries and cover the gamut from nonprofit and governmental agencies to Fortune 500 companies. We are skilled at analyzing complex factual scenarios, and we bring our interviewing acumen to every investigation – whether we are meeting with entry-level personnel or those at the highest level of the organization. When document collection is necessary, we bring a cost-effective and targeted approach to the gathering and analysis of key documents. Once we complete our investigations, VAB provides well-supported and timely analyses of whether the conduct at issue raises meritorious claims or may subject our clients to scrutiny, and we readily partner with clients to advise on proposed actions and remedial efforts based on our investigative findings. VAB understands the sensitive nature of such inquiries, and we bring a confidential, principled, and diverse voice to investigating and reporting on issues requiring investigation.
Claims of Professional Liability, Fraud, and Other Misconduct
SUSAN VALENTINE ● Susan has spent decades representing government agencies investigating regulated businesses, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and state-appointed liquidators and receivers for insolvent insurance companies. She has investigated scores of professional liability and fraud claims on behalf of receivers of failed financial institutions and liquidated companies. Susan brings this deep experience to bear in representing her corporate clients and is very comfortable investigating claims at all levels within a company. Most recently, she and partner Aurora Austriaco were retained by a Fortune 100 company to investigate alleged misconduct, an engagement that required fact finding at the highest levels of the corporate structure, including the chair of the company’s audit committee.
LYDIA BUESCHEL ● Lydia has worked alongside Susan in many of the firm’s professional liability investigations, garnering extensive experience investigating failed banks and other insolvent entities, including insurance companies and liquidating trustees of failed entities.
ELISA WESCHE ● Elisa served as a Certified Public Accountant (Texas) with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP before attending law school. As a result, she is well suited to assist Susan and Lydia in matters involving financial misconduct, including tracing funds, assessing compliance with accounting principles and auditing standards, and analyzing valuations. Elisa also assists Lydia and Sandy in the firm’s employment investigations.
Labor and Employment Issues
LYDIA BUESCHEL ● Lydia leads the firm’s employment practice. She is adept at using skills developed in her prior career as a social worker to identify and understand underlying dynamics in workplace disputes. She is particularly effective in using these skills in the context of often-sensitive discrimination and retaliation investigations, quickly identifying issues and framing cost-effective processes, while at the same time providing the space and environment for witnesses to be forthcoming and feel heard.
SANDY MORRIS ● Sandy has conducted investigations relating to whistleblower and other claims of discrimination, retaliation, and unfair practices, including for higher education institutions, major metropolitan medical centers, and most recently for a nursing home on COVID-19 issues. Sandy’s clients are impressed with her ability to assess credibility and efficiently synthesis multiple and sometimes competing pieces of information.
Purported Contract and Procurement Improprieties
AURORA AUSTRIACO ● Aurora has deep knowledge of governmental and corporate contracting issues and procurement procedures, having served on numerous corporate and municipal boards. She has conducted internal investigations on alleged improprieties in the procurement process and has made recommendations to executives at the highest levels.
