DLA, White & Case Offices Raided by Russian Authorities
Moscow authorities raided the Moscow offices of DLA Piper and White & Case yesterday, reportedly as part of a criminal fraud investigation into the redevelopment of the Moscow Hotel.
The raid was part of an investigation of a former client, DLA Piper told the Lawyer, which first reported news of the raid. Both law firms said they were not the targets of the raid and they are operating normally, according to the Lawyer and Legal Week.
Initially, a source had told the Lawyer that White & Case lawyers were working from a nearby coffee bar, but the law firm later issued a statement saying its office operations were not affected by the raid.
Here is White & Case’s statement, published by Legal Week: “White & Case is co-operating fully with Russian authorities, as appropriate. White & Case and its personnel are not accused of any wrongdoing, and our office operations are unaffected. However, as this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further.”
Here is the statement by DLA Piper, made to the Lawyer: “On Tuesday 16 June our Moscow office was the subject of a search by the Russian authorities in connection with their investigation of the affairs of a former client. The investigation does not concern DLA Piper or any of its employees and our office is operating normally. In the circumstances, we are unable to make any further comment.”
Hat tip to Above the Law.
