Gregory Coleman

Gregory Coleman is a retired FBI special agent recognized as the lead investigator in one of the most high-profile financial crime cases in the United States. Coleman joined the FBI as a white-collar crime specialist and was assigned to a Wall Street financial crime squad in New York, where he investigated cases of stock manipulation and fraud. With more than 25 years of experience in the FBI, Coleman specialized in financial crimes, money laundering, and asset forfeiture. His investigations often uncovered stock market manipulations involving illicit proceeds funneled through offshore shell corporations and bank accounts. Coleman is a recipient of the Director's Award (Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys) for outstanding contributions in law enforcement.

Coleman led the criminal investigation of Jordan Belfort, whose rise, arrest, and conviction were depicted in the film "The Wolf of Wall Street," directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In the movie, Coleman was portrayed by Kyle Chandler as FBI special agent Patrick Denham, a fictional character. Coleman and his colleagues typically managed around seven cases at a time, and the investigation into Belfort required years of detailed analysis of financial records. The team spent six years bringing Belfort to justice, including obtaining banking records from numerous offshore jurisdictions by navigating banking secrecy laws. During the investigation, Coleman recounted an incident in which Belfort attempted to bribe him with cash, luxury food, alcohol, and prostitutes, but Coleman and his colleague refused. The encounter ended with Belfort throwing lobsters at Coleman.

As an anti-money laundering expert and public speaker, Coleman reviewed the portions of the film's script that included his character and described the movie as approximately 75 percent accurate. He also assisted with other major investigations during his career, including those related to 9/11. After retiring from the FBI, Coleman leads Coleman Worldwide Advisors, which provides litigation support, funds recovery assistance, and financial consultancy services related to complex financial transactions and systems. The firm also develops and delivers interactive training focused on detecting and preventing money laundering and suspicious activity reporting, featuring real-world case studies.

Coleman is a frequent keynote speaker and guest lecturer, having presented to audiences in 14 countries, often utilizing simultaneous translation. His speaking topics include an insider's account of the "Wolf of Wall Street" investigation, emerging financial threats, and the role of Bitcoin as a virtual currency. He has addressed issues such as the theft of hundreds of billions of dollars in COVID relief funds and strategies for asset recovery, including case studies on unemployment insurance fraud. Coleman is known for his ability to provide audiences with insight into the world of complex financial crime investigations.