Principal, Forensic Services
KPMG LLP
Chicago, IL
(312) 665-1296
Email
Mr. deGrasse is a Principal in KPMG LLP’s Forensic practice for the Midwest Region. Mr. deGrasse formerly served as a partner with the law firms of Winston & Strawn and Foley & Lardner in Chicago, where he focused on complex criminal and civil litigation, including corporations and individuals targeted for government investigation. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago and Raleigh, North Carolina for 10 years before entering private practice.
Legal Experience
Mr. deGrasse has practiced in the area of white collar crime, money laundering, FCPA, OFAC, health care fraud and abuse, civil forfeiture, antitrust, insurance, intellectual property, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and commercial disputes. He has lectured frequently on these topics to corporations and professional associations, including the American Health Lawyers’ Association, the Health Care Compliance Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. He has provided to the United States Senate, at the request of one of its committees, both information and background in order to assist that committee’s investigation into terrorist financing in the wake of the September 11th tragedy. He also has provided commentary and insight regarding criminal matters on Chicago media outlets.
Mr. deGrasse travels world-wide to address FCPA-related issues for clients, including in the due diligence, compliance, internal audit and investigative contexts. His work has included review of books and records as well as corporate policies and procedures, supervision of computer forensic projects, and interviews of corporate employees and other witnesses. He understands the inevitable investigative challenges that accompany cross-border FCPA investigations and due diligence engagements, and he works closely with KPMG global resources to understand pertinent cultural, statutory and regulatory frameworks relevant to investigations in foreign countries. He conducts and supervises internal forensic investigations for a broad spectrum of businesses ranging from Fortune 50 companies to closely held corporations.
Mr. deGrasse also advises companies on establishing and implementing corporate compliance programs. He has negotiated corporate integrity agreements (CIAs) with the Office of Inspector General/DHHS, as well as settlement agreements with the federal government during his years practicing law.
Mr. deGrasse earlier served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where he tried more than 25 cases in federal court and argued numerous cases on appeal before federal appellate courts. His prosecutions included corrupt union officials, organized crime figures, and members of the Cali Cartel’s international money laundering network. His work included participating in civil forfeitures related to organized crime and drug trafficking prosecutions, including the tracing of assets linked to illegal activity. Prior to practicing law in Chicago he served as law clerk to U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle in Elizabeth City, NC and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where he focused on drug importation, money laundering and financial fraud cases.
Mr. deGrasse was one of five prosecutors selected nationwide by the U.S. Department of Justice to restructure the Department’s most advanced educational course for federal prosecutors. He also frequently lectured at that course and others sponsored by the Department.
Education and Certification
- Valparaiso University School of Law, 1984
- B.A. in Government, University of Notre Dame, 1981