• Biography
  • Prior Experience
  • Representative Matters
  • Recognition and Involvement

Biography

Tom, a Senior Partner and co-founder of Calcagni & Kanefsky, is a seasoned trial lawyer who focuses his practice on representing corporations and individuals in high-stakes government and regulatory investigations.

With substantial experience as both a Federal prosecutor and senior State law enforcement official, Tom is regularly called upon to represent entities and professionals in matters pending before federal and state law enforcement and licensing agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Offices of States Attorneys General, and state healthcare and professional licensing boards.

Tom has conducted internal investigations and serves as outside general, litigation, and compliance counsel for various companies and government entities.

Prior Experience

Before co-founding Calcagni & Kanefsky, Tom was the First Assistant Attorney General for New Jersey, the State’s second highest-ranking prosecutor.  He previously served for two years as New Jersey’s Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs and for nine years as a Federal prosecutor.

As New Jersey’s First Assistant Attorney General, Tom managed large-scale criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions for the 8,000-employee Department of Law and Public Safety.

Overseeing the New Jersey State Police, the State Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and New Jersey’s Divisions of Criminal Justice and Consumer Affairs, Tom directed hundreds of matters involving corruption, bribery, financial fraud, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, and consumer protection violations.

Prior to his appointment as First Assistant Attorney General, Tom was appointed by the Governor and unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as New Jersey’s Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs.  In that post, Tom led a staff of 600 in the investigation and prosecution of both civil and regulatory securities and healthcare matters, among other financial frauds and consumer law violations.  During his service, the work of the agency received acclaim from lawmakers and media outlets for its effective regulation of thousands of businesses and professionals, and its proactive enforcement of the State’s Consumer Fraud Act.

As an Assistant United States Attorney, Tom served in the Civil, Criminal, and Special Prosecution Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey where he investigated and successfully tried many high-profile matters involving false claims, fraud, and public corruption.  Tom also served as the Environmental Crimes Coordinator for the District of New Jersey, working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice in investigating and prosecuting violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other Federal environmental laws.

Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Tom practiced as a litigator with a prominent national litigation firm, representing both corporate and individual clients in all aspects of criminal and civil litigation.

Tom served as a judicial clerk for United States District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in the District of New Jersey, and for Appellate Judge Donald S. Coburn in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.

Representative Matters

Criminal and Regulatory Defense

  • Successfully defended Fortune 50 global telecommunications company in a consumer fraud investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs. Investigation closed with no further enforcement action.
  • Successfully defended the Chief Medical Officer of a large New York healthcare network in a federal kickback investigation conducted by the FBI, HHS, and U.S. Attorney’s Office. Investigation closed with no further enforcement action.
  • Defending a Fortune 500 multinational medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturer in a consumer fraud investigation conducted by the New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs.
  • Successfully represented Fortune 20 company executive in corporate investigation for misappropriation and conversion of corporate funds. Investigation closed with no discipline or criminal referral.
  • Represented prominent French national before the U.S. Department of State regarding allegations of sexual assault. Successfully resolved matter resulting in issuance of U.S. travel visa and unrestricted travel.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of all criminal charges against prominent physician accused of inappropriate patient contact.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of criminal drug possession charges against celebrity recording artist.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of New York criminal charges against a New York City celebrity restaurateur for weapons offenses.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of all criminal charges against individual accused of credit card fraud and theft.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of criminal charges against a prominent physician in a multi-million dollar kickback prosecution conducted by the New Jersey Attorney General and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.
  • Favorably resolved criminal charges against New Jersey police captain indicted for official misconduct.
  • Representing employees of a multinational generic-drug manufacturer under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, for price collusion.
  • Representing employees of a specialty pharmacy in a federal fraud investigation conducted by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  • Representing employees of a mid-size general construction company in a criminal fraud investigation and prosecution by the New Jersey Attorney General involving prevailing wage violations.
  • Representing the Senior Vice President of a multi-national seafood conglomerate under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, for Sherman Act violations.
  • Defended the former Chief Executive Officer of a fragrance company against federal trade-based money laundering charges by the U.S. Attorney’s Office arising from international commerce.
  • Representing the Chief Executive Officer, other senior executives, and board members of a banking institution in a federal fraud investigation conducted by the FBI, FDIC, and U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  • Representing prominent current and former public officials in numerous, sensitive investigations and prosecutions conducted by U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecution’s Division and New Jersey Attorney General’s Corruption and Government Fraud Bureau.
  • Defended multiple physicians in a sprawling investigation and prosecution by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, Healthcare Fraud Unit, for violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
  • Defending a former Department of Defense contract specialist in connection with bribery and kickback charges brought by the U.S. Department of Defense – Criminal Investigative Services and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  • Represented crewmembers of international shipping companies in investigations and prosecutions by the EPA, United States Coast Guard, and U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section, for violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
  • Represented an employee of a national environmental testing laboratory in a false claims investigation conducted by the New Jersey Attorney General.
  • Representing prominent New Jersey restaurateur in sprawling IRS and U.S. Attorney’s Office tax investigation.
  • Defended a key employee of a global commodity trader in a $520M fraud prosecution by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York.
  • Defended a construction company and its senior executives in a U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation into minority- and women-owned business enterprise fraud, resulting in no charges.
  • Represented an employee of an airline parts manufacturer in a U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Attorney’s Office fraud investigation.
  • Represented a witness in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, investigation and prosecution of the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.
  • Defended professional securities licensee in prosecution by the Securities Exchange Commission alleging net-capital violations.
  • Represented a former senior executive of a supplemental education services provider in a tax fraud prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  • Defending a licensed attorney in a securities fraud prosecution by the New Jersey Attorney General.
  • Represented a prominent healthcare provider in avoiding federal and state tax fraud charges.

Healthcare Law and Licensing

  • Successfully represented a private university in securing necessary approval from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Medical Examiners to open the State’s first private medical school.
  • Successfully represented a not-for-profit private healthcare conglomerate operating hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout New Jersey and New York in securing necessary licensing from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Pharmacy.
  • Successfully defended practicing dentist and prominent medical school educator against patient-care allegations before the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Dentistry. Investigation closed with no further enforcement action.
  • Successfully defended registered nurse before the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Nursing against patient-care allegations. Investigation closed with no further enforcement action.
  • Successfully resolved various patient-care allegations prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Medical Examiners against prominent physician. Investigation closed with no further enforcement action.
  • Represented social worker before the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Social Work Examiners in obtaining licensure.
  • Defending family medicine physician before the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Medical Examiners against allegations of indiscriminate prescribing.
  • Representing multiple dental practices in investigations by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Dentistry for licensing and billing irregularities.
  • Represented prominent contractor in successful application for relicensing before the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and Division of Gaming and Enforcement.
  • Secured licensing from New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and State Board of Cosmetology for high-end, multi-location salon.

Internal Investigations and Legal Compliance

  • Discretely conducted multiple internal investigations for companies and government entities faced with allegations of bribery, false claims, breaches of fiduciary duty, theft, and fraud.
  • Coordinated the development and implementation of an Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Bribery and Corruption compliance program for international celebrity jeweler and his companies in New York and Geneva.
  • Coordinated the development and institution of an overall compliance program for a multi-office dentistry practice.
  • Developed Anti-Bribery and Corruption compliance program for engineering firm in wake of New Jersey Attorney General corruption probe.

Outside General Counsel

  • Outside general counsel to a New York City-based real estate development venture.
  • Outside general counsel for New England-based, multifamily real estate investment, acquisition, development, and management company.
  • Outside general and compliance counsel to an international celebrity jewelry manufacturer.
  • Outside general counsel for a national helicopter tour / aerial production company.

Recognition and Involvement

During his Federal service, Tom received many commendations, awards, and letters of appreciation from the Department of Justice, FBI, IRS, and other federal and state agencies for excellence in investigative and trial work.  The United States Attorney General appointed Tom to serve on the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, where he presided over personal injury hearings and determined compensation awards for 9/11 victims and their families.

As a senior official within the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Tom launched and led the Department of Law and Public Safety’s efforts to combat prescription drug abuse and diversion – including Project Medicine Drop, the State’s 365-day prescription drug take-back initiative, and the New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program.  Tom also devised and directed the State’s efforts outlawing dangerous designer drugs.

Since co-founding the Firm, Tom remains a dedicated advocate for the community and volunteers extensively with organizations that work with those affected by substance abuse.  He serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Daytop New Jersey, a comprehensive substance abuse treatment and education program, and is on the Board of Trustees for both Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and The Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation.  Tom is also a member of the Board of Directors for New Jersey Reentry, which provides reentry services for formerly incarcerated people and those otherwise involved in the criminal justice system.

Tom is a former member of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use by New Jersey’s Youth and Young Adults.  Tom also served on the Governor’s Advisory Ethics Panel.

As an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University School of Law for many years, Tom has taught Appellate Advocacy to second- and third-year law students.

Tom is also a supporter of the arts and serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Royal Family Productions, Inc., a New York City-based non-profit theatre committed to producing innovative theatre and providing quality theatre education.

Practice Areas

Education

  • Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D.
  • Editor, Seton Hall Law Review
  • Bowdoin College, B.A., cum laude

Admissions

  • New Jersey
  • New York