Gus Kostopoulos: Criminal Defense and Professional Licensing
Welcome to the Illinois Professional Licensing Associates podcast, brought to you by healthcare practice and licensing defense lawyer, Michael V. Favia. Michael V. Favia & Associates in Chicago represents licensed professionals before regulatory agencies such as the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Chicago area criminal defense attorney Gus Kostopoulos talks about the intersection of criminal defense and professional licensing defense. Attorney Kostopoulos shares why he refers licensed-professional clients to Michael V. Favia for licensing defense.
Gus Kostopoulos is a former First Chair Prosecutor with the State’s Attorney’s Office and on both sides of prosecution and defense he has been involved in thousands of criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to first-degree murder cases.
Michael Favia has also worked in the prosecution and defense of professional licensees, as he is a former Chief of Prosecution for the IDFPR when it was then called the IDPR.
Containing potential exposure that can lead to penalties and discipline
Good people make mistakes under stress and bad decisions can lead to potential criminal charges including domestic violence, driving offenses and drug crimes. In many cases where an investigation or criminal enforcement action has not yet happened, coming forward and taking ownership and responsibility for things can prevent arrest, prosecution as well as investigation and discipline.
Kostopoulos explains when he first talks to potential clients with potential exposure to allegations against them, he finds out if they have a professional license and if so, promptly sends them to Michael V. Favia for professional license defense strategy.
Whether to take a plea deal or go to trial and fight to win
While a plea deal might help an individual dispose of charges for violations of law, elements of admissions of fact in a plea could trigger professional license problems. For example, pleading guilty to a lesser charge still means there is an admission of wrongdoing. Kostopoulos works with license defense attorney Favia to determine whether a plea deal will expose the client to regulatory discipline with the IDFPR, for example.
Some of the highlights of this podcast interview:
There are two types of conduct attorney Kostopoulos sees: 1) things that happen to people such as drunk driving, drug citations and domestic battery charges; 2) offenses in the profession such as drug diversion and embezzlement.
A joint legal strategy is imperative to defending against criminal charges and regulatory discipline. How and whether to cooperate with the government and administrative departments is different in every situation. Preventing any downstream potential for exposure is important.
Mental health components are common when individuals and attorneys are addressing what led the client to having legal and licensing problems. For example, professionals may be attending substance abuse treatment and therapy in the course of handling a drunk driving charge.
Self-reporting requirements are important. How, when and what to say in a self-report requires the advice and counsel of an experienced professional licensing defense attorney and that is why attorney Kostopoulos refers his clients to attorney Favia for representation in self-reporting.
For Criminal Defense, Contact Attorney Gus Kostopoulos at Kostopoulos Law Group in Chicago
Charged with a crime? Gus Kostopoulos is a former prosecutor with more than 20 years’ experience in aggressively protecting the freedom of good people who make mistakes. In DuPage County, Cook County, Lake County and the surrounding Chicago collar counties, you can call Kostopoulos Law Group and the phone will be answered 24/7. (855) 980-0231.
For Professional License Defense, Contact Attorney, Michael V. Favia at Michael V. Favia & Associates in Chicago When you anticipate or are otherwise notified of any communication with regulatory agencies such as the IDFPR, contactattorney Michael V. Favia for licensing defense. Having worked as a Chief of Prosecution for the department earlier in his career, Favia knows how these administration agencies work and what their interests are in their duty to protect the people of the State of Illinois. It is a good idea for licensed professionals to get to know Michael V. Favia before they need him to advise and represent them to protect their professional licenses and careers. Call Michael V. Favia & Associates in Chicago at (773) 631-4580.
