George Kampanella

Lead Partner | Business Crime and Regulatory

George has expertise in representing individuals and businesses subject to investigations and prosecution by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Crown Prosecution Service-Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID), His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Trading Standards and the National Crime Agency in allegations of complex and serious fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption.

He also manages highly complex cross-border investigations in various EU and non-EU jurisdictions, with a proven track record of success in advising clients and on occasions, their lawyers, in the most challenging and demanding of circumstances.

George also represents individuals in general crime matters. Regularly advises clients in police interview with a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years and a proven track record in preventing clients from being charged. He has Higher Rights of Audience, appearing in all criminal courts, dealing with the most complex and challenging cases. George also has extensive experience in Extradition matters, including challenging European Arrest Warrants and Interpol Red Notices.

He has an established trusted network with a range of experts, including analysis of complex DNA evidence; facial and voice recognition; complex mobile phone evidence, including cell site analysis; handwriting challenges, including highly complex forensic accounting and complex computer hard drive interrogation.

George is fully committed to his clients and always maintaining a constructive relationship with a lay client, not withstanding the difficulties presented in their case.

Notable instructions

• Bribery & corruption - acting for the Independent Authority Against Bribery & Corruption in Cyprus (a government appointed body) as Lead Investigator dealing with cases involving high-ranking government officials.

• Fraud claim against director for allegedly misleading investors - acted for a director prosecuted by the Serious and Complex Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service for alleged “high yield” investment scheme fraud. The investigation was not just confined to the UK, but extended to the USA, where the FBI became involved. Total value of the alleged fraud: £68 million (Circa)

• Fraud claim for misappropriation of funds - represented a former Premier League Football Team Manager, under investigation regarding the fraudulent misappropriation of a local authority loan said to have exceeded £12million. Authorities also investigated allegations of bribery and corruption at local councillor level. At the investigation stage the case involved complex issues surrounding legal privilege, forensic accounting and applications made by the police in relation to the disclosure of High Court civil material.

• Money laundering - acting for one of eight Defendants charged with high value Conspiracy to Launder large amounts of money. The case involves the use of various social media platforms including WhatsApp and EncroChat.

• Mortgage fraud - acted for a director of a company believed to be involved in a high value mortgage fraud. Case involved sourcing the services of an independent voice recognition expert. This case also involved handling stolen goods obtained through fraud, including high value watches; Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philip.

• Cross-border money laundering - advised a client in connection with a $2.2 billion operation which had become known as the Azerbaijani Laundromat ran between 2012 and 2014. Institutions including the Azerbaijani government and the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA)

• Extradition/ Interpol - acted for an individual wanted in connection with the billion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund scandal. Several individuals had been identified by Malaysian and US investigators as being central figures in the alleged theft of about $4.5bn from 1MDB.