How Companies Should Handle Media Attention Amid Criminal Allegations

From our colleague, Rob Glickman, principal, head of litigation and criminal practice; McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman:

When companies become tied to a criminal investigation, whether or not it or its employees have actually committed a crime, it can be on trial in both the criminal court and the court of public opinion.

Media coverage today is more than just TV, radio and print media. It now includes the internet and is delivered to personal devices through social media, blogs, videos and podcasts moments after news breaks. Also, while many get their news from social media, the accuracy of that source is often questionable. This has changed how companies handle the public relations aspect of a criminal matter.

“Not long ago, the traditional response to media inquiries regarding alleged wrongdoing by a company was ‘no comment,’” says Rob Glickman, Principal and head of the litigation and criminal practice at McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman.

“That can no longer be the way most inquiries are handled. Adverse media attention can ruin a business. Even if a company that becomes embroiled in a criminal case is eventually cleared of any wrongdoing, it can still lose in the court of public opinion and be driven out of business.”

Smart Business spoke with Glickman about how companies should handle the media coverage often associated with facing criminal allegations.

What should companies do once they discover they or any of their employees are subject to a criminal investigation?

For the rest, click here.