Michael Barutio
Loganville,US
Summary
Experienced fraud investigator with expertise in white-collar crimes including bank fraud, identity theft, mail fraud and computer-access fraud.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Agent
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
2011.04 - Current
- Employed as a criminal investigator with the Office of Inspector with responsibility to administer investigative programs that protect the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and detect and prevent fraud and other misconduct within IRS programs
- This includes investigating allegations of criminal violations and administrative misconduct by IRS employees
- Furthermore, special agents are responsible for protecting IRS against external attempts to corrupt tax administration, or threaten its employees
- Utilizes various investigative strategies including surveillance, interviews, developing sources of information (i.e., confidential informants), records review, GPS tracking devices, forensic examination of computers or telephones, pole cameras, consensual or non-consensual monitoring and other resources as available
- Executes search or arrests warrants, serves subpoenas and summonses
- Communicates investigative strategies, developments and leads with management, other assisting law enforcement, or prosecutors
- Conducted investigations of sensitive matters including congressional inquiries, executive-level managers of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and procurement fraud within the IRS Real Estate and Facilities Management (REFM) Division
- Assigned as evidence custodian responsible for accepting, processing, documenting, and preserving evidence in criminal and administrative investigations
- Develops proactive local and national initiatives to identify potential vulnerabilities in IRS operations (e.g., criminal activity, employee misconduct) or elements of potential weaknesses, including investigations of remittance theft and worker’s compensation fraud
- Establishes and maintains liaison with local, state and federal law enforcement, the United States Attorney's Office and other relevant agencies
- Testifies in judicial and administrative hearings including grand jury hearings, court proceedings and Merit System Protection Board hearings
- Promptly responds to any threats, assaults, or attacks against IRS employees or facilities with exigent emergency protocols and threat assessments
- Conducts armed escorts for IRS employees who have direct contact with Potentially Dangerous Taxpayers (PDTs)
- Prepares Reports of Investigations, affidavits and other documents as required
- Provides integrity awareness presentations to IRS employees and external stakeholders
- Previously assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) from April 2014 through January 2020
- Duties included investigation of domestic terrorism, threats to national security, threats against federal agencies and anti-government extremist groups, including sovereign citizens, which espouse violence to federal employees, buildings, systems, or infrastructure
- Maintains top-secret security clearance to receive, review and disseminate classified or law enforcement sensitive intelligence to the TIGTA- Electronic Crimes and Intelligence Division
- Assigned a 90-day detail to the TIGTA Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responsible for the coordination and execution of the most difficult and complex investigations of alleged or suspected violations of federal statutes or regulations
- These investigations included highly-sensitive matters, congressional referrals, allegations against senior-level IRS management, IRS Criminal Investigation, and TIGTA employees
- Confer and advise responsible agency officials on investigations and or reports, either independently or, in certain instances, with the AIGI, Special Investigations and Support Directorate, and other TIGTA officials
- Report to the ASAC, all flagrant and or highly significant administrative and program weaknesses discovered during an investigation, whether or not these bear directly on matters under investigation.
Special Agent
United States Secret Service
2005.07 - 2011.04
- Conduct criminal investigations into core federal violations including, but not limited to, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Mail Fraud, Identity Fraud, Counterfeit Access Devices, Counterfeit US Currency and Counterfeit Identification Documents
- Prepare investigative strategies to maximize resources in accordance with established policy and procedures
- Prepare and execute judicial actions including affidavits for warrants, subpoenas, etc
- Prepare investigative reports to include required information within specified time frames
- Conduct criminal investigations to include witness and suspect interviews, surveillance, review of documentary and physical evidence and other investigative techniques as required
- Evaluate criminal investigations for prosecutorial merit and present cases for prosecution according to Federal or State judicial requirements
- Provide testimony in judicial proceedings
- Conduct fraud awareness seminars to public and private partners in order to recommend industry safeguards, and address systematic weaknesses in financial or public sectors
- Conducted multiple, complex financial fraud investigations which included multiple jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies
- Received an award from the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia for an investigation into a multi-state fraud network based in Atlanta, GA
- This network was responsible for millions of dollars in financial fraud including account take-overs, credit card fraud, check fraud and one of the most sophisticated counterfeit identification rings operating in the area
- Also received a commendation from the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia for an investigation into a multi-million dollar venture-capital scheme
- The case drew extensive media coverage, and resulted in successful prosecution of several suspects, including one international fugitive who surrendered to authorities after a Red Notice was obtained and issued through Interpol.
- Coordinated with other agencies during multi-jurisdictional investigations.
- Managed sensitive informants with discretion, obtaining vital information while maintaining source confidentiality.
- Trained junior agents in specialized skills, fostering professional growth and increased work quality.
- Delivered expert testimony in court proceedings, presenting reliable evidence leading to successful prosecutions.
- Prepared reports, kept investigation records, and maintained all case-related paperwork.
- Negotiated high-risk situations with strategic conflict resolution tactics, minimizing potential harm to involved parties.
- Partnered with international agencies to address cross-border crimes, ensuring a global approach to crime prevention efforts.
Police Officer
City of Hapeville Police Department
2003.01 - 2005.07
- Responsible for protection of citizens, visitors and property in the City of Hapeville through upholding and enforcement of the Constitution of the United States, laws of the State of Georgia and local ordinances of the City
- Engaged in preventive patrolling (including inspection and inquiry activity) oriented towards prevention of crimes and accidents, and discovery of hazards or delinquency-causing situations; investigating crimes, offenses, incidents and hazardous conditions; arresting individuals (with probable cause of a crime or upon execution of an arrest warrant); regulating, directing and controlling vehicular and pedestrian traffic; regulating certain businesses or activities as required by law; maintaining public order; providing or coordinating emergency services as needed; developing good relationships between citizens and other city/county services; reporting information to appropriate organizational divisions and/or other law enforcement or governmental agencies
- Received an award for Actions Above and Beyond the Call of Duty after the successful apprehension of a burglary suspect of a Women’s Clinic after sustaining an injury during the pursuit.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices, maintaining a high level of expertise within the field of law enforcement.
Correctional Lieutenant
City of Atlanta Department of Corrections
1992.09 - 2003.01
- Watch commander for the Atlanta City Detention Center
- Duties included, but were not limited to, ensuring the safety and security of all persons within the corrections/detention system in accordance with established policies, procedures, regulations, state and federal laws; Coordinated emergency response/investigations of critical incidents including, but not limited to, hostage situations, suicides, escapes, fires/chemical leaks, evacuations, deaths, assaults, criminal investigations and employee/citizen complaints; Maintained order and discipline within facilities, ensuring safety of inmates, visitors, and staff; inspected facilities for structural damage, unsafe/unsanitary conditions; reviewed and prepared requests, reports, forms and other documents; Coordinated appropriate staffing levels; planned, organized and scheduled work assignments, training schedules and daily activities; assisted in implementing or drafting standard operating procedures for department in compliance with local, state and federal laws
- Supervised approximately 80 sworn or civilian employees
- Maintained records of employee performance, and completed extensive employee evaluations as required
- Conducted investigations of employee misconduct, and administered appropriate corrective action, counseling, or coaching commensurate with sustained violations or infractions
- Developed incentive programs to enhance employee performance and morale in order to increase productivity and efficiency of operations
- Worked on implementation of new, comprehensive employee performance evaluation system by developing criteria for evaluations to include critical job elements and performance objectives for all subordinate positions under review
- Helped develop and execute security operations-procedures for the organization that deter, minimize and decisively respond to identified threats and vulnerabilities.
Correctional Officer II
Georgia Department of Corrections
1990.04 - 1992.09
- Worked in a level-5 state correctional facility with maximum-security mental health inmates
- Duties and responsibilities included protecting the public, staff and inmates by patrolling assigned areas for illegal activities, infraction of rules/laws, or unusual behavior; conducting inmate head counts; guarding and directing inmates during work detail assignments; escorting inmates to various areas within facility; transporting inmates to other facilities, court, or hospital; monitoring video screens, observing inmate movement and behavior; enforcing all state codes and prison rules and regulations.
Facility Police Corporal
Georgia Department of Human Resources
1988.06 - 1990.04
- Employed at Georgia Regional Hospital, a state mental health facility, in the facility police department
- Duties and responsibilities included patrolling premises to detect and prevent any illegal or suspicious activity; responding to assistance with unruly or combative patients; apprehending AWOL patients who have escaped or left their units without authorization; conducted investigations of complaints and minor criminal incidents.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA12.2004
Some College Coursework Completed - Psychology
Emory University
Atlanta, GA06.1988
Desiredlocations
United States, GA, Atlanta
Jobrelatedtraining
- Basic Correctional Officer, Georgia Peace Officer Standard and Training Council, May 1990 (Outstanding Cadet in Academics)
- Basic Mental Health, GA Department of Corrections (1990)
- Advanced Mental Health, GA Department of Corrections (1991)
- Basic Jail Officer, Fulton County Public Safety Center (1992)
- Supervisory Training 120 (1998)
- Management Training 120 (2000)
- Verbal Judo, (2001)
- Basic Law Enforcement Training, Fulton County Public Safety Center (2003)- Jacqueline H. Barrett Academic Achievement Award
- Domestic Terrorism, June 2004
- Criminal Investigator Training Program, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA (2005)- Academic Achievement Award
- Special Agent Training Course, US Secret Service, Beltsville, MD (2006)- Academic Achievement Award
- Basic Investigations of Computer and Electronic Crimes, Orlando, FL (2009)
- The Reid Technique of Interviewing & Interrogation, Atlanta, GA (2009)
- Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Special Agent Basic Training 201 Glynco, GA (2012)
- Counterterrorism Investigations Operations Program – Federal Bureau of Investigations, Manassas, VA (2017)
- Firearms Instructor Training Program (FLETC)- September 2018
- On-the-Job Instructor Training Program- January 2021
- Strategic Suspect Interview Techniques Training (US Department of Justice)- November 2022
Eveningphone
(678)858-7330
Dayphone
(678)858-7330
Availability
Permanent, Full-Time
Awards
- Faculty Scholar (Spring 2001)
- Faculty Scholar (Fall 2001)
- Faculty Scholar (Spring 2002)
- Dean’s Scholarship Key (Spring 2002)
- Faculty Scholar (Summer 2002)
- Faculty Scholarship Award (Summer 2002)
- Golden Key International Honor Society (November 2002)
- Faculty Scholar (Fall 2002)
- Phil Peter’s Scholarship Award (May 2003)
- Larry E. Quinn Scholarship (2004)
- Dean’s Scholarship Key (Spring 2004)
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude (December 2004)
- GA Public Safety Training Center (1990) – Academic Achievement Award - Correctional Officer Basic Training (Outstanding Cadet in Academics)
- Fulton County Public Safety Training Center (2003) – Basic Police Officer Mandate –Academic Achievement Award
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Glynco, GA)- Basic Investigator Training – Academic Achievement Award
- US Secret Service Special Agent Training (Beltsville, MD) – Academic Achievement Award (Highest GPA)
- "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty" Award (Hapeville, GA Police Department)- May 2004
- 2010 Letter of Commendation from Acting United States Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia (United States v. Katherine Twigg)
- 2010 Law Enforcement Public Service Award (United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia)- May 5, 2010 (United States v. Christopher Pope and Codie Harris)
- Inspector General Award (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration)- January 2018
- Most Valuable Agent Award (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Atlanta Group)- 2020
- 2024 Letter of Commendation from United States Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Georgia (United States v. Shelitha Robertson et al.)
References
- Linda Little, Retired, 714-269-9759, Littlepray2jc@bellsouth.net
- Vance Williams, Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office, Investigator, 404-625-0332, vancarlton16@gmail.com
- Mark Grant, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Special Agent, 404-925-9471, Mark.grant@tigta.treas.gov
Skills
- Law Enforcement
- Strong Investigative Abilities
- Intelligence Experience
- Firearms Training
- Law Enforcement Practices
- Body Language Expertise
- Public Safety and Security
- Surveillance Operations
- Witness Interrogations and Interviews
- Emergency Situations
- Criminal Investigation Coordination
- Arrest and Search Warrants
- Financial Crimes Expertise
- Investigations
- Counterterrorism
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Special Agent
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
2011.04 - Current
Special Agent
United States Secret Service
2005.07 - 2011.04
Police Officer
City of Hapeville Police Department
2003.01 - 2005.07
Correctional Lieutenant
City of Atlanta Department of Corrections
1992.09 - 2003.01
Correctional Officer II
Georgia Department of Corrections
1990.04 - 1992.09
Facility Police Corporal
Georgia Department of Human Resources
1988.06 - 1990.04
Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice
Georgia State University
Some College Coursework Completed - Psychology
Emory University
Similar Profiles
Reginald McNeill JrReginald McNeill Jr
Law Enforcement Inspector Detective at FDC Office of the Inspector GeneralLaw Enforcement Inspector Detective at FDC Office of the Inspector General
Ryan DiazRyan Diaz
Intern at Office of the Inspector GeneralIntern at Office of the Inspector General
James HunterJames Hunter
Resident Agent in Charge, Investigations at Okla. Dept. Of Corrections, Inspector GeneralResident Agent in Charge, Investigations at Okla. Dept. Of Corrections, Inspector General