Bio
Abbie Peluso focuses on government enforcement actions, internal and external investigations, and white collar criminal matters.
Abbie has diverse experience handling sensitive, complex criminal and civil cases, and this perspective allows her to cut to the chase and get to the crux of issues quickly.
Abbie served for over 11 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions. Abbie led civil investigations involving False Claims Act violations, government contracting fraud, research grant fraud, and allegations of employment discrimination. Abbie also prosecuted complex criminal cases, including matters involving public corruption, financial fraud, and health care fraud. As a Deputy Chief in the General Crimes Section, she trained and supervised new federal prosecutors, and she also led the Office’s Human Trafficking Program, supervising all sex trafficking and labor trafficking matters in the district. Abbie led teams in complex jury and bench trials, and she briefed and argued appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Abbie has a keen ability to communicate effectively with, and relate to, clients, witnesses, juries, and the court. Abbie is adept at preparing witnesses to testify under challenging circumstances and conducting investigations involving potentially high-profile and sensitive allegations.
Health care industry clients particularly value Abbie’s profound understanding of the civil and criminal aspects of heath care fraud issues and her experience in managing complex investigations into billing practices and insurance claims.
Experience
Representative Engagements
- Led prosecution team in a complex case involving a 15-count indictment, three defendants, and allegations regarding a decade-long conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
- Conducted a joint investigation with the DOJ’s Civil Fraud Section of a corporation and six individuals related to fraudulent billing practices at a major hospice company. Served as a trial attorney for the criminal trial, including handling all expert testimony.
- Conducted a civil investigation of a medical practitioner accused of fraudulent billing practices and served as a trial attorney in the criminal trial, including handling the direct examination of all experts and cross-examination of the defense expert.
Credentials
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2007
Regional Champion, National Moot Court Team
Best Oralist Award, Intraschool Moot Court
University of Wisconsin, B.A., Legal Studies, 2004
Bar Admissions
Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Memberships
Legal Aid Chicago, Ambassador’s Board
Women's White Collar Defense Association
Chicago Chapter, Member
Teaching Appointments
Adjunct Professor of Law, Loyola University School of Law (2015-2017)
Honors & Awards
Leadership of Greater Chicago (LGC), Fellow (2024)
HSI Executive Associate Director Award for Outstanding Investigative Accomplishments – Child Exploitation (2022)
Illinois Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense Law: White Collar, Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2022-2024)
FBI Director’s Award for Superior Performance (2013)
Publications & Presentations
“Protecting the Privilege During an Internal Investigation,” (co-panelist) Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter CLE Webinar (April 17, 2024)
“Conducting Successful Internal Investigations,” (co-panelist) Perrin Conferences Webinar Sponsored by RSHC (October 10, 2023)
“Hot Topics 2022: Focus on Infrastructure and Pandemic Relief Funds,” (co-moderator) American Bar Association (ABA) Civil False Claims 2022 Virtual Conference (September 14, 2022)
“An Allied Front Against Ransomware,” (co-author) Best Lawyers Legal Insights (November 4, 2021)