Rich LaMagna

Richard C. LaMagna, CPP- President, LaMagna and Associates, LLC, Business Consultants

Prior to starting LaMagna and Associates in 2006 Rich LaMagna was recruited in 1999 by Microsoft to develop and lead the anti-piracy program as Director of Worldwide Anti-piracy Investigations. It was soon regarded as one of the most successful in the industry dedicated to addressing large-scale counterfeiting. In 2004 he was appointed Director of Worldwide Law Enforcement Training and Outreach, in the Microsoft Legal Department’s, Internet Safety program, assuming the lead role in liaison, training and support to worldwide law enforcement regarding Cyber crime.

Mr. LaMagna has also held positions as Vice President Corporate Investigations at Prudential Financial, Online Safety Advisor and Spokesperson, eBay, Trust and Safety and as a consultant to the world’s premier pharmaceutical company to develop an effective online anti-counterfeiting program. In 2006 he left Microsoft to start LaMagna and Associates, LLC, a successful Intellectual Property, risk management and Cyber security consultancy in the DC area. His recruitment by Microsoft followed a distinguished 28-year federal law enforcement career that culminated in his position as Deputy Chief Intelligence, Senior Executive level (SES-4), at Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Headquarters, Arlington, VA.

During his lengthy DEA career Mr. LaMagna also served as, Deputy Chief Heroin Investigations Section, Executive Assistant to the Administrator and Chief of the Special Intelligence Division where he managed a classified operation of over 200 people. He also held assignments as Section Chief at FBI HQ Criminal Division (1995-98) and the White House, National Security Council (NSC) as Director of Counternarcotics 1989-90). At the FBI he led the formulation of a comprehensive crime strategy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands under the direction of the Attorney General. At the NSC Mr. LaMagna advised the President and the National Security Advisor on drug matters and played a lead role in inter-agency cooperation and coordination in the formulation of drug polices and counter-drug operations. As an international expert on drugs, organized crime, counterfeiting and Asian cultures, Mr. LaMagna has testified before Congress on three occasions. He served for more than 13 years as a Narcotics Attaché to U.S. diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan and France and was responsible for DEA operations in greater China. Following foreign assignments he was promoted to Asian Heroin Task Force Supervisor in the New York Field Division.

Professionally trained as a media spokesperson, he has acted as Microsoft’s principal spokespersons for anti-piracy and online child safety and is the subject of numerous media interviews and profiles. He is an expert in intellectual property enforcement, brand protection, Cyber Security and international investigations and has several publications and interviews to his credit. Mr. LaMagna offers unique perspectives and insights into international operations, cross-cultural cooperation and public-private partnerships and has spent over 30 years in the study of Asian culture, history and languages. He is a graduate of the Department of State’s Foreign Institute (FSI) in Washington DC and Taiwan where he completed studies in Mandarin, Cantonese and French, as well as in culture and area studies.

He received a B.A. from Gettysburg College in 1970 and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, (International Affairs) from Georgetown University in 1996. He completed one year of a master’s program in Asian Studies at Hong Kong University. He is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and French. He holds an active Top Secret clearance, is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) member of the American Society of Industrial Security, the Department of State Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC), the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents (AFFNA) and is the former president of InfraGard Nations Capital Chapter.