Richard Blake

Overview Richard Blake is Chair of McDonald Hopkins Government Compliance, Investigations and White Collar Defense Practice Group. When you find yourself the target of a government investigation and facing potential criminal or civil penalties, an experienced attorney with a proven track record is essential for your defense. Richard has more than 35 years in both government and private practice and boasts the experience and talent to successfully fight for his clients interests. Richard spent 20 years in government service in various capacities with the United States Army, Department of Treasury and Department of Justice. During his tenure, he worked in the DOJ Organized Crime Strike Force and Economic Crimes Unit, where he prosecuted a wide variety of cases, including organized crime racketeering, money laundering, health care fraud, insurance and tax fraud, domestic terrorism, defense procurement fraud, banking and securities fraud, and identity theft. He was also the first federal prosecutor hired by the Justice Department to exclusively prosecute federal qui tam and civil false claims cases in the Northern District of Ohio. For more than 15 years, Richard has focused his private practice on assisting clients in a wide variety of criminal and civil matters, including allegations of health care related fraud, securities fraud, Controlled Substance Act violations, contract procurement fraud, public corruption and tax fraud. Richards dedication to his clients is paramount. His ability to assemble teams tailored to a clients individual needs and circumstances has yielded tremendous success, including: Not-guilty verdicts on all counts of criminal conspiracy and willful filing of false tax returns against a Michigan mortgage broker. Although the clients former partner pleaded guilty to the alleged conspiracy and testified for the government, the jury deliberated just over one hour before fully exonerating the client. The dismissal of all federal charges filed by the Department of Justice against a pharmaceutical distributor charged with violating the Controlled Substances Act; Richard also appeared before the United States Congressional House Committee on Energy and Commerce as the clients counsel during Congress national investigation of opioid abuse. Not-guilty verdicts on 50 counts of health care fraud and related charges against two Ohio cardiologists following a three-month federal jury trial. Richard subsequently negotiated a civil settlement with the government and succeeded in maintaining the physicians licenses and recouped all Medicaid funds withheld during the investigation and trial. The successful representation of the only public official in Ohio to be acquitted at trial of all federal corruption charges in the largest public corruption investigation ever conducted in the Northern District. Richard also conducts internal investigations tailored to the individual needs of his clients. One such investigation for the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners addressed the potential impact of a federal public corruption investigation on the countys financial condition and bond rating. The report was released by the county to the public and referred to in the media as The Blake Report. During his tenure with the federal government, Richard was honored with the Presidents Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award following his successful prosecution of a defense subcontractor who provided the Navy with defective components used on nuclear submarines. He has also received numerous awards for his work as a federal prosecutor, including from the FBI, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and United States Secret Service. After leaving government service, Richard continued to serve as an instructor for the FBI, training its agents on health care fraud investigations, Civil False Claims Act and qui tam whistleblower matters, and HIPAA compliance. Richard has also been a featured speaker for delegations of foreign law enforcement dignitaries visiting the United States with the State Department and Council on World Affairs, speaking on issues including federal criminal procedures, international money laundering, public corruption, and organized crime. Read More Read Less Honors & Recognition Credentials Professional & Civic News & Insights Events Honors & Recognition Selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers (2015-2025) Named one of the Best Lawyers in America (2016-2024) 2010 Federal Bar Association Iron Lawyer, Northern District of Ohio 2006 Presidents Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award for Excellence and Distinguished Performance in Protecting United States Military Personnel and the Nations Nuclear Programs Credentials Education St Johns University City University of New York Baruch College Admissions - Court U. S. Supreme Court U. S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Admissions - State Connecticut New York Ohio Professional & Civic Professional Activities Ohio State Bar Association New York State Bar Association American Bar Association Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers American Health Lawyers Association Community Involvement United States Army, Army Reserve (1984-1990) Federal court-appointed mediator, Northern District of Ohio in alternative dispute resolutions Volunteer Magistrate, Mayfield Village Juvenile Court Diversion Program SBMD Family Foundation, Board of Directors Former Adjunct Law Professor, Cleveland Marshall School of Law UCP of Greater Cleveland, Board of Directors News & Insights News March 20, 2025 Three McDonald Hopkins attorneys recognized as Crains Cleveland 2025 Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys News December 17, 2024 McDonald Hopkins attorneys selected to 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists News August 15, 202460 McDonald Hopkins attorneys recognized in the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America News December 29, 2023 McDonald Hopkins attorneys selected to 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists News November 21, 2023 McDonald Hopkins secures full acquittal of mortgage broker charged with tax fraud and conspiracy to file false tax returns News August 17, 202355 McDonald Hopkins attorneys recognized in the 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America News December 29, 2022 McDonald Hopkins attorneys selected to 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists News August 29, 2022 Department of Justice drops charges against McDonald Hopkins client Miami-Luken News August 18, 202250 McDonald Hopkins attorneys recognized in the 2023 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America News December 30, 2021 McDonald Hopkins attorneys selected to 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists News October 29, 2021 McDonald Hopkins Government Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense team secures acquittals for Cleveland-area client News August 19, 202150 McDonald Hopkins attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers News December 11, 202015 McDonald Hopkins attorneys selected to 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list News August 20, 2020 Lawyer of the Year honorees Riley and Welin among 42 McDonald Hopkins attorneys recognized as 2021 Best Lawyers Post April 3, 2020 OCR announces enforcement discretion to allow uses and disclosures of PHI by business associates for public health and health oversight activities during COVID-19 pandemic News August 14, 201941 attorneys from McDonald Hopkins recognized as 2020 Best Lawyers News December 11, 2018 Seventeen attorneys at McDonald Hopkins named 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Post September 18, 2018 Think twice before giving your Social Security number to your doctor News May 8, 2018Tennessee Physician Pays $200 K for Role in Kickback Scheme News December 6, 201722 attorneys at McDonald Hopkins named 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars News November 8, 2017 McDonald Hopkins hosts discussion on how antitrust laws affect businesses of all sizes News October 19, 2017 McDonald Hopkins to host discussion on how antitrust laws affect all businesses News August 16, 201735 attorneys at McDonald Hopkins selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers 2018 News August 16, 201639 attorneys at McDonald Hopkins selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers 2017 Alert June 6, 2016 Sweeping ruling expands reach of the False Claims Act Alert March 4, 2016 Medical equipment distributor gets $646 M compliance reminder News December 8, 201524 attorneys at McDonald Hopkins named Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Post October 26, 2015 Laboratories remain major focus of government investigations Alert September 9, 2015 Recent HIPAA settlement reinforces importance of encryption, risk analysis, and mobile device security News August 18, 201541 attorneys at McDonald Hopkins selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers 2016 News March 30, 2015 McDonald Hopkins moves to a new home in the Arena District Post January 20, 2015 Justice Department suspends abusive forfeiture program View More View Less External News & PublicationsDistrict Court Allows Relator to Add Qui Tam Charge to Existing Retaliatory Discharge Complaint, (March 29, 2012) Court Dismisses RICO Claim Against Provider, But Allows False Claims Act Retaliatory Discharge Count to Proceed, (March 27, 2012) U. S. Government to Receive $15.85 Million Settlement from Lockheed Martin to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations, (March 27, 2012) Federal Court Rules in Whistleblowers Favor on Question of Original Source, (March 22, 2012) Another Round of Kyphoplasty Settlements Yields More Than $12 Million in Payments to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations, (February 08, 2012) Corporate Leaders in Cross Hairs: Exclusions and Other Government Enforcement Trends Converge Against Individuals, AHLA Hospitals and Health Systems Practice Group News Letter, (May 2011) VIEW MORE Congress Expands Scope of Federal False Claims Act, Fine Print - The Ohio State Bar Associations Quarterly Newsletter, (Summer 2009)Attorneys say changes to False Claims Act will have impact on future litigation, The Columbus Daily Reporter, (June 3, 2009) Contributor Federal Prosecutors Target Off-Label Promotion of Prescription Drugs, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, (November 2008)VIEW LESS Events McDonald Hopkins Event June 18, 2025 Noon - 1:00 P. M. ETSurviving Payer Audits & Government Investigations: Key tips and traps McDonald Hopkins Event November 30, 20222:00 PM - 3:00 PMLabs in the Crosshairs: Navigating Post-COVID Government Enforcement Actions McDonald Hopkins Event February 15, 20222:00 PM - 3:00 PMWhite Collar Government Enforcement Trends McDonald Hopkins Event December 1, 20178:30 AM - 12:30 PMFederal Bar Association Northern District of Ohio Chapter McDonald Hopkins Event June 23, 201610:00 AM - 11:30 AMLaboratory Privacy and Security: How to Safeguard Your Data and Ensure Compliance with Tougher Enforcement of Government Guidelines McDonald Hopkins Event May 24, 20168:00 AM - 9:00 AMTraps for the Unwary: IRS Audits and Investigations McDonald Hopkins Event April 28, 20164:00 AM - 1:00 PM136th Annual All-Ohio Legal Forum of the Ohio State Bar Association Speaking EngagementsHow to Protect Your Lab from Costly and Time-Consuming Government Investigations and Qui Tam Lawsuits--and What to Do If the Government Does Come Calling, Pathology Blawg webinar (June 25, 2015) Public Corruption Investigations, Presentation to Ohio Auditor of State Annual Training, Cleveland, Ohio (December 12, 2012) Fraud and Abuse Update, Ohio Health Stark School training for hospital executives and compliance personnel, Columbus, Ohio (November 11, 2012) Public Corruption and Its Impact on the Regional Economy, 12th Annual Emerging Trends in Fraud Investigation and Prevention Conference, Columbus, Ohio (May 22, 2012) Case Study Involving Northern Ohio Charter School Fraud, 12th Annual Emerging Trends in Fraud Investigation and Prevention Conference, Columbus, Ohio (May 22, 2012) Criminal and White Collar Defense Issues, Part 2, Northeast Ohio Healthcare Financial Management Association Gerry Haggerty Annual Leadership Institute, Aurora, Ohio (May 16, 2012) VIEW MORE Criminal & White Collar Defense, Northeast Ohio Healthcare Financial Management Association, Chapter Meeting, Independence, Ohio (March 15, 2012) Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Boot Camp Webinar Series, Part III: The Federal Anti-Kickback Law: An Overview, Recent Enforcement Trends & Impact of Healthcare Reform, Moderator for Webinar hosted by AHLA (March 1, 2012) Presentation to Ukrainian Delegation Council on World Affairs, International Visitor Leadership Program, Cleveland, Ohio (February 17, 2012) Qui Tam and Regulatory Update for Hospitals and Providers, Top 10 Event, West Chester, Ohio (January 25, 2012) A View From the Front Lines, J. P. Morgan Chase Legal Division, New Jersey (December 20, 2011) Financial Issues in Healthcare, Akron Bar Association, Akron, Ohio (December 16, 2011) Feds Gone Wild! How Prosecutors and Whistleblowers Use the False Claims Act and its Impact on Health Care Providers, Ohio Society of CPAs Health Care Conference, Columbus, Ohio (November 16, 2011) Use of Internal Investigations for Municipalities, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, Dublin, Ohio (July 2011) Navigating the Federal Funds Audit Process: School Spending Under the Microscope, Ohio Association of School Board Officials, NE Chapter Meeting, Valley View, Ohio (June 2011) HIPAA Training for FBI Agents, Federal Bureau of Investigation Health Care Fraud Unit - Basic In-Service, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (June 2011) Stark School, - Ohio Health in-house training of hospital executives and compliance personnel (May 20, 2011) Issues that Keep Health Care Executives Awake at Night, Ohio Health, Columbus, Ohio (February 9, 2011) Financial Fraud Liability Issues, Guest Lecturer, Case Western Reserve Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland, Ohio (March 17, 2011) Public Corruption & Fraud and Their Impact on Current Economic Trends, Joint Institute of Internal Auditors, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners meeting, Fraud and Forensics Day, Independence, Ohio (February 7, 2011) Presentation to Colombian Law Enforcement Delegation, International Visitor Leadership Program, Cleveland, Ohio (January 31, 2011) Financial Crime Litigation Techniques, NALS of Ohio, Winter Conference (January 22, 2011) Recent Developments in False Claims Act: Strategies & Litigation, Cincinnati Bar Association, Cincinnati, Ohio (December 2010) The Stored Communications Act: 20th Century Computer Law for the Digital Millennium, Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association 2010 Annual Meeting, Columbus, Ohio (December 2010) Be Afraid: The Ugly Truth Behind Uncle Sams Increased Medicare/Medicaid Enforcement Activities and Its Impact on Hospitals, Revenue Cycle, Central Ohio Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association, Columbus, Ohio (June 2010) When & How to Self-Disclose to the Government - Lessons Learned, Ohio Hospital Association, Columbus, Ohio (June 2010) Be Afraid: The Ugly Truth Behind Uncle Sams Increased Medicare, Medicaid Enforcement Activities and Its Impact on Hospitals, SW Ohio, Healthcare Financial Mgt. Assoc.: Educational Forums, Cincinnati, Ohio (April 2010) Financial Fraud Liability Issues, Guest Lecturer, Case Western Reserve Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland, Ohio (March 2010) HIPAA Privacy Rules Medical Records Privacy, FBI Health Care Fraud Conference, Leesburg, VA (March 2010) Prosecuting Health Care Fraud Investigations, FBI Health Care Fraud Conference, Leesburg, VA (March 2010) Hot Topics, Ohio Hospital Association Medical Staff Leadership, Cleveland, Ohio (February 2010)view less