J. Scott Gilbert

Counsel

Scott Gilbert was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2006, and the Texas Bar in 2017.  He practices primarily in the areas of Healthcare Litigation, White Collar Criminal Defense, Governmental and Corporate Investigations, and Asset Forfeiture Litigation.  Scott has represented clients who were under criminal investigation by State and Federal authorities, successfully guiding his client's through the criminal investigative process without being charged with a criminal offense. Scott has trial experience defending criminal cases. He represents clients in the Federal and State court throughout the United States in criminal cases, and in civil and criminal asset forfeiture cases. Prior to joining the firm, Scott served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Southern District of Mississippi, where he litigated white-collar criminal matters, including health care fraud, money laundering, the Bank Secrecy Act, bank fraud, asset forfeiture and public corruption.  Scott also managed the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering program for 94 United States Attorney's Offices.

Scott frequently lectured on money laundering and asset forfeiture at the Department of Justice training facility in Columbia, South Carolina. Additionally, Scott is an adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law, where he teaches Criminal Practice and Asset Forfeiture Law. 

Representative Criminal Defense Work

  • Represented clients in criminal and forfeiture cases in Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and Delaware Federal courts.
  • Represented clients in criminal and forfeiture cases in Mississippi State courts.
  • Scott has tried criminal cases in State and Federal courts in multiple jurisdictions.
  • Scott has negotiated the dismissals of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.
  • Scott has successfully obtained the release of substantial amounts of seized property, as well as negotiated the withdrawal of forfeiture complaints by the government in multiple jurisdictions.
  • Represented doctors and health care businesses under investigation and in criminal cases.

  • Scott represented two doctors and their practice during an investigation by the State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The investigation was closed with no criminal charges filed.

  • Scott represented a doctor under criminal investigation by the DEA, and negotiated a resolution that avoided both criminal prosecution and allowed the doctor to keep his medical license.

  • Scott currently represents health care practices, such as an Ambulatory Surgical Center, a non-profit mental health provider, and an eye care provider.

  • Scott also currently represents doctors and other licensed health care providers currently under investigation by law enforcement and facing criminal charges in State and Federal Court.

  • Represents clients who are under investigation by local, State and Federal authorities.

    • Scott represented a client charged with criminal false pretense, and successfully negotiated with the District Attorney to have the charge remanded without presentation to the grand jury.

    • Scott has also represented a client accused of criminal theft of government funds by a federal agency, and successfully negotiated a civil settlement with the U.S. Attorney, avoiding criminal charges.

    • Scott represented a state employee accused of submitting false reimbursement requests to a State agency, and convinced the agency that there was insufficient evidence to warrant referring the matter for criminal investigation.

    • Scott has conducted internal corporate investigations on behalf of large companies, into potential criminal conduct by employees and by outside entities

Representative Trials as Lead Criminal Prosecutor

  • In addition to the trials listed below in which Scott was lead criminal prosecutor, he also served as co-counsel in the criminal prosecution of State of Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps.
  • United States v. Cassandra Thomas, 3:08cr170DPJ-LRA.  Doctor defendant was convicted of health care fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government funds, and false statements relating to health care matters.
  • United States v. Pamela Hull and Jacqualine Crawley, 1:07cr125LG-RHW.  Defendants were convicted of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and false statements relating to health care matters.
  • United States v. Allan Hearne, 3:08cr164DPJ-JCS. Psychologist was convicted of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and destroying or falsifying records during a federal investigation.
  • United States v. Theddis Pearson et al.  Two defendants were convicted of theft of government funds and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
  • United States v. Gregory Bernard Griffin, 3:13cr80DPJ-LRA.  Defendant was convicted of bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.
  • United States v. Charles Barlow, 2:07cr20KS-MTP.  Defendant was convicted of using the internet to entice a minor and transmission of obscene material.
  • State of Mississippi v. James Vardaman, Rankin County Circuit Court #16366.  The defendant was convicted of possession of precursor chemicals and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. 

Contact Information:

Telephone number: 601.965.1922
Email: sgilbert@watkinseager.com
Practice Areas

Healthcare Litigation
White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations
Education

Bachelor of Arts, Mississippi State University, magna cum laude, 2003
Juris Doctor: Mississippi College School of Law, magna cum laude, 2006

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 Court Admissions

  • All Mississippi state, federal and tribal courts
  • All Texas state courts
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Honors

  • A recipient of the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association 2013 Investigation of the Year Award
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

 Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Bar Association of The Fifth Federal Circuit
  • Capital Area Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL
  • Rankin County Bar
  • State Bar of Texas
  • The Mississippi Bar

Publicactions