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Vincent A. Citro

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  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • Published Works
  • Honors, Awards & Notable Cases
Bio

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As a partner at the Law Offices of Horwitz & Citro, P.A., Vincent A. Citro represents individuals, executives, and legal entities in criminal and related civil and administrative matters, including grand jury and internal investigations. Mr. Citro has represented clients throughout the country in state and federal courts. Mr. Citro has represented clients’ interests in European and Asian countries. Mr. Citro is a Board-Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar, and a Board Certified Advocate in Criminal Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense in Orlando, both for white-collar and general practice, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite™, and has an AV® Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating. Mr. Citro’s engagements include defending professionals in federal jury trials, conducting internal investigations for companies facing federal and state criminal investigations, and defending clients against DOJ, federal civil enforcement agencies (SEC, CFTC, FTC), IRS, and several state attorneys general.

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Prior to returning to private practice, Mr. Citro was a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), both in Washington, D.C. and Orlando. During his tenure in DOJ's U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) from 2002 until 2010, Mr. Citro prosecuted the full panoply of federal crimes, including:

  • National security
  • Drug trafficking
  • Firearms
  • Cyber crimes
  • Export crimes
  • Violent crimes
  • Economic crimes
  • Public corruption
  • Child exploitation offenses

From 2011 until 2015, Mr. Citro served as a criminal division supervisor. In this position, he:

  • Approved proposed indictments and plea agreements
  • Oversaw grand jury practices
  • Acted as liaison to the judiciary, federal and state agencies, and the DOJ
  • Evaluated and supervised attorneys and professional support staff

In addition, Mr. Citro was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for investigations in South Florida. Also, from 2011 until 2015, Mr. Citro supervised the USAO's national security program. As the USAO's first National Security Cyber Specialist and its Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator, Mr. Citro oversaw and prosecuted matters in coordination with DOJ's Counterterrorism Section and Counter-Espionage and Export Control Section. He also held a top-secret security clearance. Mr. Citro last held the position of Senior Litigation Counsel before joining what was then the Law Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A.

In addition, Mr. Citro held two positions in the nation's capital. As a result of abilities he demonstrated as a federal prosecutor, including prosecuting homicides, Mr. Citro was appointed to serve on the Attorney General's Capital Case Review Committee. As a committee member, he analyzed cases throughout the U.S. in which the death penalty was authorized by law, and made recommendations to DOJ's leadership about whether the death penalty should be sought.

From 2015 to 2016, Mr. Citro served as a Trial Attorney in DOJ's National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section, where he advised and guided federal prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and the intelligence community on cases affecting the United States' national security, including DOJ-priority cases involving international, domestic, and cyber-terrorism . He also developed and managed national security cases for prosecution.

Finally, Mr. Citro is an Adjunct Professor at the Stetson University College of Law, where he teaches a course on healthcare fraud and abuse. Mr. Citro previously taught law and ethics to undergraduate and graduate classes at the University of Central Florida College of Business.

Mark L. Horwitz

Vince Citro, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, pictured here with firm founding partner, Mark Horwitz, before a Sunday morning motorcycle ride.

Education

  • Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida
    • J.D. cum laude - 2000
    • Honors: Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
    • Nationally Ranked Trial Team Member: Stetson Law Review Member
  • Stetson University’s School of Business Administration, DeLand, Florida
    • Master of Business Administration
  • Stetson University’s School of Business Administration, DeLand, Florida
    • Bachelor of Business Administration

Classes/Seminars

  • Adjunct Professor, Stetson University College of Law, Fraud & Abuse I: Kickbacks, Stark & False Claims (Spring Semester 2020).
  • Parallel Bankruptcy and Forfeiture Proceedings, Central Fla. Bankruptcy Law Assoc. (Jan. 2019).
  • FCPA ‐ Beware when the Firm Begins to Operate Overseas, American Institute of Architects Conference (Nov. 2018).
  • Prosecuting and Defending Fraud Cases, International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators National Conference (2018).
  • “Criminal and Civil Liability Issues,” Major League Soccer Operations & Security Seminar (January 2018).
  • Time to Evolve the Attorney-Client Privilege to Protect Communications Stored Electronically, 64-JUN Fed. Law. 40 (June 2017).
  • Responding to Violent Crime & Terror Attacks, WMFE’s Intersection (June 2017).
  • More suspects arrested in UK bombing British PM warns another attack is imminent, Good Day Orlando (May 2017).
  • Leak, Spies and, Just Maybe, Crimes: What we can tell – probably – about the Russia investigation Robert Mueller is inheriting, U.S. News & World Report (May 23, 2017).
  • "Investigating and Prosecuting Economic Crimes in Federal Court," Florida Financial Regulation Office Investigators Annual Training (June 2015)
  • "Cybersecurity," Electronic Crimes Task Force Meeting (May 2015)
  • "Partnering with DOJ on Cyber Issues," Infragard Meeting (May 2015)
  • "Obtaining and Using Electronic Evidence," New AUSA Training (March 2015)
  • HD Supply Legal Department Conference on Electronic Discovery (April 2012)
  • Anti-Money Laundering Audit & Compliance Forum (April 2006)
  • Law & Ethics, University of Central Florida, 2001
  • CLE: Evidence & Advocacy, ABA/Stetson University College of Law , 2001
  • Trial Advocacy, Stetson University College of Law , 2000
  • Adjunct Professor, Stetson University College of Law, Fraud & Abuse I: Kickbacks, Stark & False Claims (Spring Semester 2020).
  • Parallel Bankruptcy and Forfeiture Proceedings, Central Fla. Bankruptcy Law Assoc. (Jan. 2019).
  • FCPA ‐ Beware when the Firm Begins to Operate Overseas, American Institute of Architects Conference (Nov. 2018).

Former Experience

Prior to his government service, Mr. Citro was an associate in the litigation department of a large business law firm based in Orlando. He also served as an adjunct professor in the undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Central Florida's College of Business Administration. Mr. Citro has provided training to federal and state officials, and the public sector on national security, cyber matters, and fraud.

Mr. Citro earned his J.D. cum laude from Stetson University's College of Law in 2000, where he was a member of the Stetson Law Review and its nationally ranked Trial Team. While in law school, Mr. Citro published a law review article on why polygraph evidence should not be admissible in federal criminal courts. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Stetson University's School of Business Administration.

In 2013, Stetson University College of Law recognized Mr. Citro's contributions to the profession by awarding him its Distinguished Alumni Award. The Federal Bar Association also awarded Mr. Citro one of five Younger Federal Lawyers of the Year at its national convention in 2016.

Past Employment Positions

  • Department of Justice, National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section, Trial Attorney, 2015 – 2016
  • Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Attorney General’s Capital Case Review Committee, 2014 -2015
  • The United States Attorney's Office, 2002 - 2016
    • Senior Litigation Counsel, 2016
    • Criminal Division Branch Supervisor, 2011 –2015
    • National Security Cyber Specialist, 2012 –2015
    • Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator, 2011 –2015
    • Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, S.D. Fla., 2012 - 2014
    • Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force, 2004 –2011
  • University of Central Florida’s College of Business Administration, Adjunct Professor, 2001 - 2005
  • Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., Litigation Group, 2001 - 2002
  • State Attorney's Offices, Special Assistant State Attorney, 2000
  • Stetson University College of law, Teaching Assistant, 1999 - 2000
  • The United States Attorney’s Office, Law Clerk, 1999
    • Horwitz Horwitz
    Licenses
    • Florida - 2001
    • District of Columbia - 2018
    • United States Supreme Court
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (general and trial bars)
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
    • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
    • Latest Developments in Offshore Tax Enforcement – Moderator, 39th Annual International Tax Conference, Florida Institute of CPA’s, January 2021
    • Themes in Procurement Fraud Enforcement, Federal Bar Association’s Qui Tam Conference, February 2021 Visit Publication
    • Defending the Innocent Client Against Federal Regulatory Agency Lawsuits That Impose Receiverships, The Federal Lawyer: November/December 2020 Visit Publication
    • Time to Evolve the Attorney-Client Privilege to Protect Communications Stored Electronically, The Federal Lawyer, June 2017 Visit Publication
    • Playing Pin the Tail on the Truth, Why Polygraph Should be Excluded, 30 Stetson Law Rev. 715, Fall, 2000 Visit Publication

    Honors and Awards

    • Listed in 2021 The Best Lawyers in America© for Criminal Defense: General and White-Collar
    • Appointed by Governor Rick Scott to Florida's Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fifth District Court of Appeal 2018
    • DOJ National Security Division Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Excellence
    • Walter Mann Award for Legal Excellence
    • Victor O. Whele Trial Advocacy Award
    • Ralph Harris Farrell Award
    • Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Advocacy
    • Younger Federal Lawyer Award, Federal Bar Association
    • Federal Bar Association Younger Federal Lawyer Award
    • Stetson University College of Law Distinguished Alumni Award
    • U.S. Attorney’s Office Outstanding Productivity Award
    • U.S. Attorney’s Office Selfless Assistance to Office and Colleagues Award
    • U.S. Army’s Provost Marshall Certificate of Appreciation
    • FBI Director’s Certificate of Appreciation for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest
    • FBI Explosives Unit Certificate of Appreciation
    • FBI Brevard Resident Agency Award for Outstanding Contributions
    • FBI and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad Certificate of Appreciation
    • DEA Certificate of Appreciate for Outstanding Contributions (three different occasions)
    • U.S. Marshal’s Service Recognition of Special Achievement
    • DHS OIG Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions
    • NASA OIG Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions
    • New Scotland Yard SO15 Counter Terrorism Command Plaque
    • National Association of Black Narcotics Agents Appreciation Award

    Mr. Citro has also received accolades from:

    • The Department of Justice
    • The Federal Bureau of Investigation
    • The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
    • United States Secret Service
    • United States Marshals Service
    • The Department of the Army
    • The Department of Homeland Security
    • The National Aeronautical and Space Administration
    • New Scotland Yard
    • State Law Enforcement Agencies

    Representative Cases

    • Conducted an internal investigation regarding sales and financing practices for a company, headquartered in the Midwest, with 74 facilities throughout the U.S., and defended the company against a federal investigation.
    • Defended a former CIA officer in investigations by the U.S. House, DOJ, and a foreign government.
    • Defended a former chairman of the board and chief executive officer in a civil case against the Federal Trade Commission (Western and Northwestern Regional Offices) and several state attorneys general.
    • Defended hackers, one in federal court for disabling commercial websites that resulted in pretrial diversion, and one who accessed critical infrastructure that resulted in no charges.
    • Counseled a company that provided virtual private networks worldwide against investigations by national security and law enforcement agencies in the U.S., E.U., South Korea, and others.
    • Represented managing partner of an investment fund in a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation in the Philadelphia Regional Office.
    • Represented a doctor in a federal healthcare fraud investigation in the District of Massachusetts.
    • Represented a C-suite executive of U.S. government contractor in a federal fraud investigation.
    • Represented a real estate professional in a federal mortgage fraud investigation and no charges were filed.
    • Represented licensed medical professional in an international money laundering investigation in the Southern District of New York and no charges were filed.
    • Represented taxpayer against the DOJ Civil Division in D.C., and settled for less than the tax debt, with no penalties imposed.
    • Advised entity charged with distributing assets governed by the Trading with the Enemy Act.
    • Testified as an expert witness in a Florida Bar disciplinary proceeding.

    Professional Associations and Memberships

    • George C. Young American Inn of Court
    • American Bar Assoc., Federal Bar Association
    • Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
    • National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
    • Federalist Society
    • Orange County Bar Association
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association
    • University Club
    • Herbert G. Goldburg-Ronald K. Cacciatore Inn of Court
    • Federal Bar Association

    Fraternities

    • Sigma Nu
    • Phi Delta Phi