Michael J. Fernald, CPA, CFE, PI

Owner / Manager

As a United States Army veteran and retired Special Agent with IRS-Criminal Investigation, I draw from over three decades of invaluable experience in federal government service. During my career as a criminal investigator, I tackled a diverse range of financial crimes including criminal tax to intricate investment frauds, Ponzi schemes, embezzlements, bank and wire frauds, and international money laundering operations. These investigations included underlying assets and schemes involving oil and gas wells, residential and commercial real estate, art, German government bonds, quarter horses, factoring of accounts receivables, securities and joint ventures, among others.

While I focused primarily on white collar investigations, I was simultaneously a member of the Houston Field Office Money Laundering Task Force that consisted of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; the objective of which was to identify, target, and investigate third party money laundering (3PML) targets with links to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs), Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), and terrorist organizations. I led multi-agency investigations with the FBI and DEA, among others, to dismantle and seize the organization’s assets obtained through their illicit activities.

Throughout my career, I have been designated as a money laundering and financial expert in numerous criminal trials. I have provided testimony before federal grand juries, jury trials, and in detention and sentencing hearings. My experience extends to drafting affidavits for search and seizure warrants, conducting undercover operations, employing effective interviewing techniques, and organizing and analyzing complex and voluminous data from various sources

Now, through the Fernald firm, my commitment lies in conducting comprehensive financial fraud investigations, unveiling hidden patterns, delivering expert reports and testimony, tracing money, and providing litigation support. I approach each case holistically, integrating both financial and non-financial evidence to relentlessly follow the money trail. It's not just about uncovering facts; it's about revealing the truth.