Mr. Ridge has represented clients in a wide range of civil and criminal cases involving allegations of financial fraud and breach of fiduciary duties. He has defended clients in investigations conducted by the State's Attorney General, the S.E.C., federal and state grand juries, the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, and the Judicial Qualifications Commission. He has also served as Special Investigative Counsel to the Unsecured Creditors Committee in bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Ridge has worked with clients in a variety of industries, such as banking, health care, pharmaceuticals, securities, manufacturing and automotive. He has prosecuted and defended complex RICO and commercial fraud disputes involving securities issues, real estate investment financing, fraudulent conveyances, and the misuse of trade secrets, as well as representing clients accused of violating various consumer protection statutes. Mr. Ridge is also a graduate of The Federal Bar Association Mediation Training Program. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Mr. Ridge was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, an honor bestowed upon the top five percent of Pennsylvania lawyers. Mr. Ridge began his career as a narcotics prosecutor in Miami-Dade County, Florida and later prosecuted savings and loan failures as a Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, United States Department of Justice.
White Collar Criminal Defense and Internal and Government Investigations
Mr. Ridge has counseled clients and investigated allegations of violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Represented pharmaceutical executives in connection with pricing and marketing investigations.
Secured dismissal of a patient abuse and neglect indictiment brought against the provider of juvenile residential treatment services.
Represented target defendant in national commercial bribery prosecution and successfully negotiated a favorable plea agreement.
Represented specialty retailer indicted for possession of illegal electronic surveillence equipment.
Conducted internal investigation of cost report accounting fraud at large regional health care provider.
Conducted internal investigations of alleged theft/embezzlements in the metals, banking and health care industries.
Served as a state and federal prosecutor, including several years as a member of the Department of Justice’s Bank Fraud Task Force.
Defended member of the judiciary in judicial qualifications proceedings and related disqualification proceedings.
Represented provider of cellular telephone service in state Deceptive Trade Practices action.
Represented sub-prime lenders in state Attorney General’s investigation, and negotiated agreement to refer state and consumer disputes to streamlined alternative dispute resolution process.
Prosecuted federal False Claims Act case on behalf of qui tam relator.
Conducted internal investigations into employee misappropriation of funds, vendor fraud, insurance fraud and sexual harassment in industries ranging from health care to basic metals to broadcasting.
Banking and Consumer Affairs
Served as a Member of the Department of Justice’s Dallas Bank Fraud Task Force, investigating and prosecuting fraud in the savings and loan, and the securities industries in the Southwestern United States.
Defended a former bank president in proceedings initiated by the Office of Thrift Supervision.
Successfully represented national bank in predatory lending investigation by the State Attorney General.
Successfully defended class-action against mortgage lender and title company alleging violations of RESPA and TILA.
Represented directors of community bank in derivative action by shareholder.
Health Care Industry Litigation
Defended physicians and hospitals in state and federal health care fraud investiations.
Represented health care providers in administrative hearings involving physician privileges disputes.
Defended researchers and physicians against allegations of scientific misconduct in connection with both basic science research and clinical trial research.
Prosecuted civil rights and wrongful discharge claims against a nationally recognized research university on behalf of a research scientist wrongfully accused of scientific misconduct.
Successfully defended large regional hospital against claims of professional malpractice.
Civil and Criminal Fraud
Successfully conducted extensive internal investigation and ultimately recovered misappropriated funds for a large regional hospital.
Successfully defended entrepreneur against RICO claims arising from alleged misappropriation of trade secrets.
Successfully recovered funds for Unsecured Creditors following investigation of fraudulent conveyance arising from acquisition of a large regional construction firm.
Defended numerous health care providers against state and federal health care fraud investigations.
Successfully prosecuted federal False Claims Act (qui tam) case involving fraud in obtaining United States Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD)loans.
