Peter R. Zeidenberg

Partner
Peter defends scientists, individuals, and companies in white collar criminal matters involving contracting fraud, trade secret theft, economic espionage, export violations, and espionage-related offenses.
Peter R. Zeidenberg, Partner at Arent Fox

Client Work

Peter’s practice focuses on the representation of scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, and other individuals and business organizations accused or suspected of economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, government contracting and procurement fraud, export violations, espionage-related offenses, computer crimes, the False Claims Act, wire and mail fraud, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He has had tremendous success in persuading the government to decline to bring prosecutions as well as convincing prosecutors to dismiss cases that have already been brought. If a trial is necessary, Peter has a long track record, with scores of jury trials while at the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and in private practice. Peter is experienced in conducting internal investigations and counseling companies and organizations responding to government enforcement threats. His work in such matters includes grand jury investigations, administrative subpoenas, and Congressional investigations, with a particular focus on criminal trials.

A representation of Peter’s work on behalf of his clients includes the following:

  • Representation of Chinese-American chair of Temple University Physics Department suspected of espionage on behalf of China; persuaded the government to dismiss a four-count indictment (US v. Xiaoxing Xi, 15-CR-204, E.D. Pennsylvania); see US Drops Charges That Professor Shared Technology with ChinaNew York Times, 11 September 2015; US Drops Charges that Temple University Professor Sought to Give Tech Secrets to China, Wall Street Journal, 11 September 2015.
  • Representation of Chinese-American scientist at NOAA suspected of sharing government files with China; persuaded the government to dismiss an eight-count indictment charging government employee with computer hacking, theft, and false statements (US v. Xiafen “Sherry” Chen, 14-CR-149, S.D. Ohio) one week before trial; see Government Drops Charges Against Federal Employee, Wall Street Journal, 10 March 2015; Federal hacking case against NOAA hydrologist dismissed, Dayton Daily News, 11 March 2015.
  • Representation of Chinese-American engineer suspected of espionage and accused of export violations to China and wire-fraud; won pre-trial dismissal of all fraud charges; remaining count of export violation awaiting trial. (United States v. Xiaojian Tao¸ SA-22-CR-170 (W.D. Texas).
  • Representation of Chinese Professor suspected of espionage and accused of grant fraud for failing to disclose participation in 1000 Talent Program; won acquittals on nine of 10 counts; remaining count appealed to 10th Circuit. (United States v. Feng Tao, (2:19-cr-20052, D. Kansas).
  • Representation of Chinese-American engineer accused of theft of trade secrets involving computer chips.
  • Representation of Chinese-American businessman charged in 10-count indictment alleging wire-fraud; persuaded government to provide pre-trial probation and dismissal after six months, with no admission of wrong-doing (US v. Yalin Liu, 1:16-cr—0042, M.D. Pa.).
  • Representation of Chinese-American academic/entrepreneur accused of export-control violation; persuaded government to dismiss complaint alleging scientist made false statements in connection with export of certain technology to China (US v. Xin Zhao, 8:16-MJ-1538, M.D. Fla).
  • Representation of Chinese-American businessman/entrepreneur accused of Theft of Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage (US v. Shan Shi, 1:17-cr-110, D.DC.).
  • Representation of Chinese-American scientist indicted for 43 counts of wire-fraud and Theft of Trade Secrets from GSK (US v. Yu Xue, 16-cr-00022, E.D. Pa.); client pled guilty to one-count of theft of trade secrets; government alleged loss of $1B to GSK; after three-day evidentiary hearing, Court found no loss to GSK.

  • Representation of Chinese-American scientist accused of SBIR contracting fraud (US v. Pengcheng Lv, 20-CR-00021, D. De.); client accused of multi-million dollar wire-fraud scheme; pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, received sentence of home confinement.

  • Representation of Chinese-American Virginia Tech professor accused in 24-count indictment alleging wire fraud; after trial, won acquittals on 19 counts; client received sentence of probation (US v. Percival Zhang, 7:17-cr-73, W.D. Va.).
  • Representation of Chinese-American nuclear engineer accused of assisting China in the development of plutonium (US v. Szuhsiung Ho, 3:16-CR-00046); US used Cold War-era statute to prosecute Taiwanese American nuclear engineer, The Washington Post, January 6, 2017.
  • Representation of Chinese-American scientist accused of SBIR contracting fraud (US v. Wei Xu, 6:16-CR-14, M.D. Fla); client originally charged in a multi-count indictment alleging wire-fraud; pled to one count of false statements, received sentence of probation, with no fine or restitution.
  • Representation of Chinese-American scientist accused of SBIR contracting fraud involving NASA and NSF (8:16-cr-00558, D. of Md.); client originally charged with wire-fraud; pled to one count of false statements, received one-year probation, with no fine or restitution.
  • Representation of Chinese-American executive suspected of Theft of Trade Secrets from pharmaceutical company where he worked; persuaded government to not prosecute.
  • Representation of SBIR company alleged to have committed False Claims Act violations.
  • Representation of publicly-held company in connection with DOJ and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into alleged bribes paid in Asia to obtain licenses and visas; persuaded DOJ to decline prosecution.
  • Representation of publicly-held company in connection with qui tam case in which relator alleged that company overcharged US Army for meals and travel-related expenses in Pakistan; persuaded government not to intervene in case.
  • Won dismissal of all charges lodged against individual charged in US District Court in Washington, DC in connection with so-called “Shot Show” FCPA sting case, in which DOJ alleged that 22 defense contractors had paid bribes to African defense minister in connection with sale of military hardware.
  • Won acquittals on all counts in Eastern District of Virginia on charges of Obstruction of Justice and Conspiracy lodged against former federal law enforcement agent.
  • Won release of physician sentenced to life in prison for illegally dispensing OxyContin and causing death of a patient; successfully brought habeas petition resulting in vacating of key counts of conviction.
  • Representation of president of Fortune 500 company on allegations of insider trading; persuaded state and federal prosecutors that charges not warranted.
  • Representation of foreign national charged with arms smuggling and conspiracy in Western District of New York; successfully persuaded government to offer misdemeanor plea with no jail time and no forfeiture or fines.
  • Representation of foreign bank in DOJ investigation of alleged OFAC violations; persuaded federal prosecutors to decline charges.
  • Representation of federal law enforcement official investigated by DOJ for conspiracy, false statements, and visa fraud; successfully persuaded DOJ to decline prosecution.
  • Representation of officer of European manufacturing corporation alleged to have conspired with international cartel to fix prices.
  • Representation of publicly held defense contractor in connection with whistle-blower claim that sales agents paid bribes to military of Middle-Eastern country in violation of FCPA.
  • Representation of individuals in DOJ investigation into alleged violations of Federal Election Commission (FEC) laws.
  • Representation of publicly traded corporation alleged to have committed bid-rigging.
  • Representation of publicly-held corporation in connection with Congressional investigation.
  • Representation of former DOJ official alleged to have violated conflict of interest laws; persuaded DOJ to decline prosecution.
  • Representation of international corporate entity in establishing compliance with FCPA and enhancing compliance through policy, procedure, and training programs.

Previous Work

Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Peter was a partner at an international law firm where he represented businesses and individuals threatened with government investigations. Before working at that firm, he spent 17 years as a federal prosecutor at the DOJ, where he served in both the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division and at the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia.

While Peter was at the DOJ, he investigated and prosecuted local, state, and federal officials. His trial experience included some of the DOJ’s highest profile criminal cases. One of these cases involved Peter’s service as a Deputy Special Counsel in the investigation and prosecution of Lewis “Scooter” Libby. While at the Public Integrity Section, Peter was also responsible for the prosecution of David Safavian, in which the former Chief of Staff of the General Services Administration (GSA) was tried for obstruction of justice and false statements in connection with the Jack Abramoff investigation.

While at the DOJ, Peter coordinated and supervised investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of Inspector Generals (OIG) from the GSA, the DOJ, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR).

Prior to his work at the DOJ, Peter was an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia. There he spent the majority of his time prosecuting violent crimes, winning convictions in 16 out of 18 first-degree murder cases he tried. In addition, Peter won life sentences for all six of the defendants he prosecuted in a nine-month long Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) prosecution of a murderous drug-gang. In his career, Peter has first-chaired over 100 jury trials and argued two dozen appellate cases.

In addition to his work at the federal level, Peter was also a state prosecutor for five years in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Publications

Peter has authored the following publications:

Recognitions

In 2012 and 2015-2024, Peter was listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Best White-Collar Lawyers in DC for 2019.

In 2002, Peter received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney by the Executive Office of United States Attorneys. In addition, he received 10 Department of Justice Special Achievement Awards.

Presentations

Peter is a sought-after commentator and speaker on an extensive list of topics. Recently, he has presented on the following:

Professional Activities

Peter is a barrister at the Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court. He was also an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he taught a course on public corruption.