Scott Armstrong

Background

About Scott Armstrong

Scott defends individuals in white-collar investigations and at trial. He also litigates on behalf of individuals in high-stakes business disputes. Scott is a former Assistant Chief at the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section. Over nearly a decade at the Fraud Section, Scott served as lead or co-lead trial counsel in thirteen jury trials involving complex fraud schemes across the healthcare industry and financial markets. In DOJ's Healthcare Fraud Unit, Scott served as lead or co-lead counsel in jury trials involving multimillion dollar fraud schemes orchestrated by physicians, executives, and medical professionals. In all, Scott litigated cases totaling over $600 million in fraudulent claims to federal programs. These cases involved violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, Major Fraud against the United States, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and false statements relating to a healthcare matter. Scott also served as Director of the Department's Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force ("ARPO"). Through his work in APRO, Scott led the investigation and prosecution of cases involving the diversion of over 15 million opioid pills. In DOJ's Market Integrity and Major Fraud Unit, Scott served as an Assistant Chief and senior supervisor of the Unit's cases in the markets for commodities, cryptocurrencies, and securities. Scott served as lead or co-lead counsel in jury trials involving- fraud and manipulation by two senior traders at a leading financial institution for a years-long fraud and manipulation scheme in the futures markets for precious metals- the first-ever trial involving the price manipulation of a cryptocurrency under under Title 15 based on $300 million in spoof orders and wash trades placed via an automated trading bot or algorithm; and - a two-week trial against two defendants for running a Ponzi scheme involving startups for cattle and marijuana companies and laundering approximately $650 million through financial institutions. Beyond his substantial trial work, Scott supervised numerous investigations and cases involving “cherry picking” by fund managers, insider trading, securities and accounting fraud, “rug pulls,” “pig butchering” schemes, and investment fraud by registered brokers in the cryptocurrency markets. During his nine years at the Department, Scott was twice awarded the Assistant Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service and also received the Assistant Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service.