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COGEL Connect: Public Corruption Post-McDonnell: Considerations for the Present and Future
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COGEL Connect: Public Corruption Post-McDonnell: Considerations for the Present and Future

COGEL Connect events are FREE for all COGEL members. To secure your spot, please sign in before completing your registration.

3/26/2026
When: Thursday, March 26, 2026
3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT | 12:00 - 1:00 pm PDT
Where: Zoom
United States
Contact: aellison@cogel.org
(916) 329-1890


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Public Corruption Post-McDonnell: Considerations for the Present and Future

This presentation provides a timely jurisprudential update on the evolving landscape of public corruption law following the Supreme Court's landmark decision in McDonnell v. United States. The session will examine how federal changes through SCOTUS have reshaped corruption theories and identify the downstream impacts that state-side ethics practitioners should consider moving forward. Panelists will clarify the post-McDonnell definition of "official act," survey recent Supreme Court decisions, and provide a practical framework for identifying a "thing of value" under federal and state regimes. Attendees will gain actionable insights on charging and defense considerations, compliance guardrails, and policy implications for ethics agencies.

Please note this session will be recorded. Attendees will be asked to turn off cameras and type any questions into the Zoom chat.

Panelists & Moderator

Seth Agata, Esq.

Professor; Of Counsel, Albany Law School; Law Firm of César de Castro, P.C. (New York City)

Professor Seth Agata is of counsel to the Law Firm of César de Castro, P.C. in New York City, where he practices public ethics law and criminal law. He is the former longest-serving Executive Director of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), where he launched the first comprehensive lobbying regulations in New York State history and revamped post-employment "revolving door" restrictions. He has lectured extensively on government ethics and co-authored The History of the New York Court of Appeals, 1932-2003.

Benedict P. Kuehne, Esq.

Attorney / Criminal Defense Lawyer, Kuehne Davis Law, P.A.

Known as the “Iron Lawyer” for his success and accomplishments in complex, protracted trials and appeals, as well as for being an Ironman athlete (140.6 miles of swim, bike, and run), Benedict P. Kuehne has made his formidable career in trial and appellate courtrooms throughout the State of Florida and across the nation. Known for his significant representations as a white-collar criminal defense lawyer, he is also a premier ethics and election law specialist, having represented Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 election recount litigation. He is triple certified by The Florida Bar in Criminal Trial Practice, Appellate Practice, and Criminal Appellate Law, and is a Past President of the Dade County Bar Association.

Mina Mirzaie, Esq. (Moderator)

Attorney, Associate, Lippes Mathias, LLP

Mina Mirzaie works in Government & Corporate Investigations Practice Team, where she focuses her practice on government investigations and compliance matters, internal investigations, and civil and criminal defense litigation. Mina began her career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

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