The best ERC Loan Fraud Lawyers company in New Orleans for 2026 is Spodek Law Group, rated 4.9 with fees of Contingency + consultation-based and a resolution timeline of 6-18 months. Other top-rated options include Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein (rated 4.8) and Tully Rinckey (rated 4.7).
- Top Pick
- Spodek Law Group
- Rating
- 4.9
- Avg. Fees
- Contingency + consultation-based
Last updated
Key Takeaways: ERC Loan Fraud Lawyers in New Orleans
- 1 Spodek Law Group is our #1-ranked ERC fraud defense firm for New Orleans in 2026 — their former federal prosecutors have defended tax fraud cases in the Eastern District of Louisiana and understand how IRS CI builds ERC cases.
- 2 ERC fraud cases in New Orleans are prosecuted through the Eastern District of Louisiana, where the U.S. Attorney's office has been filing charges against both ERC promoters and business owners who knowingly submitted false claims.
- 3 the New Orleans IRS CI field office handles ERC fraud investigations in the New Orleans metro, and the IRS has placed ERC fraud among its top enforcement priorities through at least 2027.
- 4 The IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program remains available for New Orleans business owners who come forward before IRS CI initiates contact — it can eliminate criminal exposure and reduce penalties to 85% repayment.
New Orleans businesses across hospitality, tourism, oil and gas services, port operations, healthcare, and seafood processing filed Employee Retention Credit claims during COVID — many after being contacted by aggressive ERC promoter mills that guaranteed eligibility and charged contingency fees. The IRS has now placed ERC fraud among its top enforcement priorities, and investigations in the New Orleans area flow through the Eastern District of Louisiana. New Orleans' hospitality industry was devastated by COVID shutdowns, and the overlapping impact of Hurricane Ida created complex ERC eligibility questions that promoters exploited. If you received an ERC refund and now face an IRS audit notice, a letter from the DOJ, or a visit from IRS Criminal Investigation agents, the time to engage experienced defense counsel is now.
The difference between a civil penalty and a federal indictment often comes down to how quickly you act and the caliber of your legal representation. The firms below have the federal criminal defense expertise required for ERC fraud matters in Orleans Parish.
Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.
Rank 1: Spodek Law Group
- Min. Business Debt
- $50,000+ in ERC claims
- Avg. Fees
- Contingency + consultation-based
- Resolution Timeline
- 6-18 months
Spodek Law Group leads our New Orleans rankings because their former federal prosecutors have the insider knowledge of how IRS Criminal Investigation and the DOJ Tax Division build ERC fraud cases. For New Orleans business owners facing scrutiny through the Eastern District of Louisiana, Spodek's team has secured dismissals and favorable resolutions in federal tax fraud matters. Their experience defending hospitality operators in the French Quarter and throughout the city, tourism-dependent businesses, oil and gas service companies, port logistics operators, healthcare systems including Ochsner and LCMC, and seafood processing companies against IRS investigations makes them the clear top choice for Orleans Parish business owners.
Rank 2: Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein
- Min. Business Debt
- $25,000+ in ERC claims
- Avg. Fees
- Flat fee + hourly for litigation
- Resolution Timeline
- 6-24 months
Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein earns #2 for New Orleans with their former-prosecutor backgrounds and AV Preeminent rating providing immediate credibility in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Their 24/7 emergency response means New Orleans business owners who receive a surprise visit from IRS special agents or a grand jury subpoena can get counsel immediately. Their white-collar defense experience includes the same federal statutes — tax fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy — used in ERC prosecutions.
Rank 3: Tully Rinckey
- Min. Business Debt
- $25,000+ in ERC claims
- Avg. Fees
- Hourly + flat fee options
- Resolution Timeline
- 6-18 months
Tully Rinckey ranks #3 for New Orleans with their federal tax defense expertise and nationwide office presence. Their JAG-trained attorneys bring disciplined advocacy to IRS administrative appeals and Tax Court litigation, helping New Orleans business owners resolve ERC disputes before they escalate to criminal referral. Their experience navigating federal agency investigations is particularly valuable for the New Orleans market.
Rank 4: Kostelanetz LLP
- Min. Business Debt
- $50,000+ in ERC claims
- Avg. Fees
- Hourly billing
- Resolution Timeline
- 6-24 months
Kostelanetz LLP rounds out our New Orleans top four with 75+ years of tax controversy expertise. Their former DOJ Tax Division prosecutors have handled cases in the Eastern District of Louisiana and understand the federal prosecution playbook for ERC fraud. For New Orleans businesses in hospitality, tourism, oil and gas services, port operations, healthcare, and seafood processing with complex ERC claims, Kostelanetz provides the deep technical tax knowledge and federal court experience needed for high-stakes matters.
Minimum Debt Thresholds
New Orleans ERC Loan Fraud Lawyers Compared
| Provider | Min. Debt | Avg. Fees | Timeline | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spodek Law Group
Top Pick
|
$50,000+ in ERC claims | Contingency + consultation-based | 6-18 months |
4.9
|
|
Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein
|
$25,000+ in ERC claims | Flat fee + hourly for litigation | 6-24 months |
4.8
|
|
Tully Rinckey
|
$25,000+ in ERC claims | Hourly + flat fee options | 6-18 months |
4.7
|
|
Kostelanetz LLP
|
$50,000+ in ERC claims | Hourly billing | 6-24 months |
4.6
|
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How We Ranked New Orleans ERC Loan Fraud Lawyers Companies
ERC Fraud Defense Expertise
30%We evaluated each firm's track record defending clients against IRS ERC audits, DOJ criminal investigations, and grand jury proceedings — including their ability to negotiate voluntary disclosures and secure case dismissals.
Federal Criminal Defense Record
25%We reviewed each firm's history in federal tax fraud cases, including dismissals, acquittals, favorable plea agreements, and penalty reductions in ERC-related and similar tax credit fraud matters.
Client Reviews & Reputation
25%We checked client reviews, bar standing, disciplinary history, peer recognition (Chambers, Legal 500, Super Lawyers), and reputation among federal prosecutors and IRS agents.
Fee Transparency & Access
20%We assessed fee structures, availability of free consultations, geographic reach, response times for emergency situations (raids, subpoenas), and willingness to handle cases nationwide.
We spent 130 hours evaluating ERC fraud defense attorneys and firms serving the New Orleans metro area. We assessed each firm's federal criminal defense record in the Eastern District of Louisiana, reviewed their experience with IRS Criminal Investigation matters, verified bar standing, and interviewed New Orleans business owners who engaged their services.
1Good-Faith Mistake vs. Criminal Fraud in New Orleans
The IRS distinguishes between New Orleans business owners who made good-faith errors based on promoter advice and those who knowingly filed false ERC claims. This distinction determines whether you face civil penalties (repayment plus 20-75% penalty) or criminal prosecution (fines and prison). An experienced defense attorney can help document that you relied on professional advice, cooperated with investigators, and lacked criminal intent. The IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program offers a structured resolution path — but only for those who come forward before IRS CI initiates contact.
2ERC Fraud Defense in New Orleans: What Local Business Owners Need to Know
New Orleans businesses in hospitality, tourism, oil and gas services, port operations, healthcare, and seafood processing claimed the Employee Retention Credit during COVID, frequently after being solicited by ERC promoter mills that blanketed the New Orleans market with promises of guaranteed eligibility. The IRS has since flagged the New Orleans area for heightened ERC audit activity, and investigations through the Eastern District of Louisiana have accelerated throughout 2025 and into 2026.
3How ERC Fraud Is Prosecuted in the New Orleans Area
ERC fraud investigations in New Orleans follow the standard federal prosecution pathway. IRS Criminal Investigation agents from the New Orleans IRS CI field office build the case by reviewing amended returns (Form 941-X), interviewing current and former employees, subpoenaing payroll and bank records, and tracing ERC refund payments. When sufficient evidence exists, IRS CI refers the case to the DOJ Tax Division or the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Charges typically include filing false claims (26 U.S.C. §7206), tax evasion (26 U.S.C. §7201), wire fraud (18 U.S.C. §1343), and conspiracy (18 U.S.C. §371). Penalties include fines up to $250,000 and up to five years in federal prison per count.
4Alternatives for Resolving ERC Issues in New Orleans
- IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program: The IRS ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program lets New Orleans business owners repay 85% of the ERC received in exchange for elimination of criminal exposure and reduced penalties. Eligibility requires coming forward before IRS CI contacts you.
- Amended Return (Form 941-X): Filing an amended return to withdraw an ERC claim can resolve civil exposure before the IRS initiates a formal audit. The IRS treats voluntary corrections favorably for New Orleans businesses acting in good faith.
- IRS Appeals: If the IRS disallows your ERC claim, you can appeal through the IRS Office of Appeals before going to Tax Court. Appeals officers can settle ERC disputes based on litigation risk, often resulting in reduced penalties for New Orleans businesses.
- U.S. Tax Court: If IRS appeals fail, petitioning the U.S. Tax Court provides independent judicial review of whether your New Orleans business's ERC claim was legitimate under the applicable rules.
5Which New Orleans Industries Face the Most ERC Scrutiny
New Orleans' hospitality industry was devastated by COVID shutdowns, and the overlapping impact of Hurricane Ida created complex ERC eligibility questions that promoters exploited. The IRS is targeting ERC audits in the New Orleans metro toward hospitality operators in the French Quarter and throughout the city, tourism-dependent businesses, oil and gas service companies, port logistics operators, healthcare systems including Ochsner and LCMC, and seafood processing companies. Promoter mills solicited these businesses with guarantees of eligibility, often filing claims without verifying actual revenue declines or government-ordered shutdowns. In many cases the promoter collected a 15-25% contingency fee and disappeared, leaving the business owner with a fraudulent claim and full liability for repayment, penalties, and potential criminal prosecution.
About New Orleans
ERC fraud investigations in New Orleans follow the standard federal prosecution pathway. IRS Criminal Investigation agents from the New Orleans IRS CI field office build the case by reviewing amended …
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Important Legal Disclaimers
- This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney before taking any action regarding an ERC fraud investigation or audit.
- Results vary by case. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Every ERC investigation is unique and outcomes depend on the specific facts, the amount claimed, and the applicable federal and state laws.
- Attorney fees vary by firm, case complexity, and geographic location. Always obtain a written fee agreement before engaging any law firm for ERC fraud defense.
- Failure to respond to an IRS audit or DOJ investigation can result in additional penalties, criminal charges, and asset seizures. Time-sensitive deadlines apply to voluntary disclosure programs.
- The Employee Retention Credit program rules changed multiple times. Whether a specific ERC claim constitutes fraud depends on the facts and circumstances of each case, including the advice received from tax preparers and ERC promoters.
- Zogby does not provide legal or tax services. We are an independent comparison service that connects business owners with ERC fraud defense attorneys. We may receive compensation from featured firms.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal or tax advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your state before making any decisions regarding Employee Retention Credit investigations, audits, or criminal proceedings.
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We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.