BRIAN L. BERNTSON, Special Agent IRS-CI
Hilton Kuwait City, June 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Procurement Fraud Investigations
Hilton Kuwait City, June 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Procurement Fraud Investigations
Brian L. Berntson, President of Money Laundering Consultants retired in August 2013 after a twenty-two year career with IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Chicago Field Office. During his tenure at IRS-CI, Brian L. Berntson:
- Conducted numerous criminal tax, money laundering and BSA investigations
- Investigated a wide variety of investigations to include: bribery, public corruption, immigration fraud, wire, mail and major fraud against the Government, drug trafficking, Government contracting fraud, counterfeiting and other crimes
- As a distinguished member of the IRS-CI Money Laundering Expert Witness Cadre Brian L. Berntson testified in seven trials as a money laundering expert to include the "Kids for Cash" case and others.
- Organized and conducted training for new and existing money laundering expert witnesses
- Extensive trial experience, eight criminal trials, as the case agent. Prepared summaries and demonstrative exhibits for trial and testified in each criminal trial as a summary witness and countless hearings in Federal Court
- Conducted financial investigative training, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering training for: Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement, U.S. Attorney's Offices, Intelligence Agencies, Department of Justice, National Advocacy Center (NAC), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), numerous state and local law enforcement agencies over the past thirteen years
- Due to his vast international financial expertise, Brian L. Berntson was one of four agents selected to establish the Global Illicit Financial Team (GIFT) which was an IRS-CI sponsored task force targeting international organized crime and professional money launderers worldwide. During his tenure Brian L. Berntson drafted the manual on international investigative techniques for the GIFT. The GIFT successfully investigated and prosecuted the largest international money laundering case of Liberty Reserve.
- Participated seven years on an FBI Task Force "Operation LOGJAM" which was designated by DOJ as the lead investigative task force concerning allegations related to LOGCAP III, the logistical support contract for the U.S. Military in Kuwait and Iraq. Conducted investigative work in Kuwait and assisted the FBI, DCIS and New Scotland Yard in an undercover operation in London England, 2005
- Extensive experience in domestic and international forfeiture cases
- SAR Review Team Leader Rock Island Illinois
- Experience working with OFAC on international financial investigative matters
- Numerous protection details with Secret Service and a member of a Secret Service "jump team"
- Brian Berntson has received numerous awards and commendations during his IRS-CI career, some of which are detailed below
