Todd Foster is a veteran criminal defense attorney with more than 25 years of private practice experience and a distinguished background as a former Federal Prosecutor, FBI special agent and Assistant U.S. Attorney. Now a Partner at Johnson Pope, Todd represents physicians, attorneys, corporate executives, and business owners facing high-stakes criminal investigations, white collar charges, civil enforcement actions, and complex civil litigation.
Todd defends clients in both federal and state courts in cases involving conspiracy, health care fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, RICO, wire and mail fraud, money laundering, and professional misconduct. He also litigates related civil matters including government forfeiture, whistleblower defense, criminal tax litigation, and False Claims Act cases.
With decades of trial experience, Todd has secured acquittals, dismissals, and favorable outcomes in high-profile matters involving Medicare fraud, cryptocurrency, PPP and EIDL loan fraud, civil rights violations, cybercrime, firearms charges, and DEA/DOJ investigations. He regularly defends clients under scrutiny from agencies such as the FBI, IRS-CID, DEA, SEC, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Todd has handled criminal and civil matters across the country, including the landmark United States v. Aisenberg case, which resulted in full dismissal and the first-ever Hyde Amendment award for wrongful prosecution. He has also defended clients in significant investigations involving the SEC, IRS, NASA, DOJ, and other federal entities.
Before entering private practice, Todd served as Chief of Major Crimes at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa and Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force in Houston. As a former FBI special agent, he led investigations into white collar and racketeering crimes.
Todd is AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Florida Super Lawyers, and is a former Director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is also a published author, frequent speaker, and former adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at Stetson University College of Law.
Representative Matters
- Dismissal of all charges in a federal cryptocurrency money laundering case with over $30M at stake.
- Full acquittal of a Sarasota businessman in a federal wire fraud trial.
- Resolution of a federal fraud case against an NFL player, restoring his professional career.
- Defense of a doctor wrongly targeted in a Medicare fraud forfeiture, resulting in return of assets.
- Secured government motion to dismiss in United States v. [N] after four days of jury trial, resulting in full exoneration of client—a lawyer indicted for fraud.
- Successfully defended client in one of the first criminal FCPA jury trials (United States v. [W]) in Washington, D.C.; jury acquitted on all but one charge, prompting government to dismiss remaining count.
- Clearance of a psychiatrist under DEA grand jury investigation without indictment.
- Successful suppression of evidence in felony narcotics cases, avoiding multi-year prison terms.
Education
- Florida State University, B.A.
- Criminology – 1978
- Florida State University, J.D – 1981
Admissions
- Florida – 1981
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Board of Directors- NACDL- Held for 6 years
- Co-chair, White Collar Crime committee
- Association of Former Special Agents of the FBI
- Honor Foundation volunteer
- Past President, Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association
- Supervisory Assistant US Attorney
Awards & Recognitions
- Florida Super Lawyers – 2016-2023, 2025
- Best Lawyers – 2010 – Present
- AV-Rated Martindale-Hubbell
- TAMPA MAGAZINE, Top Lawyer in Criminal Defense – 2026
- Successfully defended client in one of the first criminal FCPA jury trials in Washington, D.C., resulting in acquittal on all but one charge and dismissal of the remaining count.
- Resolved federal Sherman Act antitrust prosecution involving approximately $3 million in commerce with probation only and no restitution, fines, or forfeiture.
- Secured dismissal of a federal False Claims Act (Qui Tam) lawsuit against a surgeon before responsive pleadings were filed.
- Achieved dismissal of all felony charges against homeowner and investor targeted in federal and state search warrants.
- Secured dismissal of a federal civil rights lawsuit against a government physician shortly before trial.
- Successfully challenged and obtained dismissal of a federal copyright fraud charge in a precedent-setting federal ruling.
- Resolved felony abuse case involving an active NFL player through a misdemeanor intervention program, allowing the client to resume his professional football career during the same season.
- Represented individual and affiliated companies in federal PPP and EIDL fraud investigation involving alleged multimillion-dollar loans; matter closed with no criminal charges filed.
- Secured favorable settlement in federal forfeiture proceedings for innocent spouse accused by the government of concealing assets in connection with a major Medicare fraud prosecution.
- Represented prominent Tampa Bay attorney in federal grand jury, FBI, and IRS-CID investigation involving PPP and EIDL loans; matter resolved without indictment or criminal charges.
- Obtained closure of federal Medicare fraud investigation against prominent physician after presentations to the Department of Justice and FBI demonstrated lack of criminal liability.
- Negotiated resolution for IT executive indicted on multiple fraud and embezzlement charges involving more than $400,000, resulting in no jail time and reduction to misdemeanor conviction.
- Secured probationary sentence with no jail or home detention for Tampa business owner federally indicted in connection with fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan allegations.
- Obtained dismissal of all charges against Tampa-area factory owner facing serious firearms and aggravated assault allegations carrying minimum mandatory prison exposure.
- Successfully persuaded investigators and prosecutors to close fraud investigation against Tampa Bay business and franchise owner without criminal charges.
- Won dismissal of first-degree felony charges after establishing law enforcement acted in bad faith in handling and losing exculpatory evidence.
- Secured acquittal for accountant charged with vehicular homicide after extensive litigation and trial involving complex accident reconstruction and medical testimony.
Articles
News
By JP Firm — January 2026
We are proud to announce that several of our attorneys have been named 2026 Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers, a prestigious recognition that highlights excellence in legal practice across the Tampa Bay region. This honor reflects peer recognition, professional achievement, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients. 2026 Tampa […]
Categories: Blogs, Firm News, Uncategorized
By JP Firm — July 2025
Johnson Pope is pleased to announce the integration of the highly respected Todd Foster Law Group, a leading criminal defense boutique firm, into its practice. This strategic addition significantly expands Johnson Pope’s capabilities in criminal defense, offering clients unparalleled expertise in both state and federal cases. The Todd Foster Law […]
Categories: Blogs, Criminal Law, Firm News
