Federal White Collar Crimes
Being charged with a white-collar crime can be devastating. Accusations alone can impact your reputation – personal and professional, and your business interests.
That’s why it’s essential to retain an attorney with experience in white-collar defense in Houston, TX, as soon as possible after you know an investigation is underway or looming. Early action can help your attorney get ahead of the process and potentially avoid an indictment.
These types of cases can get very complex and document-intensive. At SKJM Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to defend our clients against federal charges related to healthcare fraud, P.P.P. fraud, RICO Act violations, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act violations, and other white-collar crimes.
Every client’s circumstance is unique, and one of the most valuable things we do for our clients is to clarify their situation. We present a realistic picture of potential outcomes based on the case’s evidence so you can decide how you would like to proceed.
When you retain SKJM, you own the power of a well-staffed firm of highly trained professionals and top-tier attorneys with extensive experience in successfully defending clients against federal criminal charges.
Federal White Collar Crime Defense Attorney
Trust Houston’s Leading White Collar Crime Lawyers to Safeguard Your Rights and Your Future
White-collar crimes include a broad range of nonviolent offenses, all occurring in commercial/business environments to secure financial gain. Many legal cases based on white-collar crime involve high-achieving individuals with notable success in their professional field.
Federal white-collar crimes are those which violate federal law. Cases such as these make up the more significant part of all white-collar crimes and are prosecuted nationally. The penalties sought for federal crimes are typically very harsh, making it critical that an accused individual seek out an experienced and proven white-collar crime attorney with expertise in federal court.
In our many years of serving as defense attorneys for white-collar crime in Houston, TX, our experts have found that most cases are highly complex. More often than not, individuals accused of white-collar crimes are driven by diverse motivations that may include – but are not limited to – the pursuit of profits and success. Many Houston white-collar crimes occur over an extended period and involve sophisticated, technical, and often highly intricate actions.
Types of White Collar Crime
The lawyers at SKJM can provide you with a skilled white-collar crime lawyer for your defense if you have been accused of one or more of the following criminal activities.
Bribery
Bribery is the acceptance or offer of anything of monetary value in exchange for influence on a public or government employee. Bribes can include gifts or payments, most commonly used to obtain favorable treatment. In many cases, the individual offering and accepting the fix can be legally charged.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 201, there are specific penalties for direct and indirect bribery. Whether the attempted bribery was accepted or refused, an individual is still eligible for prosecution. A federal bribery conviction can result in significant fines of up to three times the equivalent monetary value of the bribe or a federal prison sentence of up to 15 years. Additionally, a convicted individual can be disqualified from holding any government position in the U.S.
If you are being investigated for bribery, you must contact a specialized bribery defense attorney in Houston. This white-collar crime is usually investigated by federal authorities rather than local law enforcement. It entails a highly detailed and lengthy investigation by federal law enforcement and government agencies.
Consumer Fraud
Consumer fraud charges encompass any trade practices considered unfair or deceptive, specifically about consumer transactions. However, intentional deceit is not required for an individual to be charged and convicted of consumer fraud.
There are various forms of consumer fraud, including practices connected to telemarketing, advertising, selling, and the provision of services and goods. Subcategories include credit card fraud, credit fraud, healthcare fraud, health insurance fraud, insurance fraud, and business fraud. Federal consumer fraud charges can be filed against any individual involved in a consumer-directed scam, such as identity theft, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, internet scams, or auction fraud.
It is not unusual for individuals to be unaware that they are being investigated, and investigations can span many years before charges are filed. A conviction can result in significant fines and imprisonment. Regardless of the type of consumer fraud criminal charges you may face, your priority should be retaining the legal counsel of an aggressive white-collar crime attorney from SKJM.
Corporate Fraud
Corporate fraud, or “securities fraud,” is a material misrepresentation/distortion linked to stock information committed by a corporate officer/director. This white-collar crime is most often related to an exaggeration of the value of a stock. An officer or director can also be charged with corporate fraud if disclosing confidential information about a store leads to an individual or entity acting upon that information.
Corporate fraud has been strictly regulated and considered a harshly enforced financial crime for decades. A conviction requires evidence of intent to deceive, defraud, or manipulate, but there is no requirement of providing an intent to cause harm. If you are charged with corporate fraud, you may also face a federal indictment from a Federal Grand Jury. As a result, additional charges (such as mail fraud, wire fraud, RICO crime, money laundering, and federal conspiracy) may be brought against you. Fines and imprisonment are among the possible penalties for this charge.
Counterfeiting
Like the crime of forgery, counterfeiting relates to creating a false document. These documents can include contracts, money, legal certifications, and identification cards. Under 18 U.S.C. § 471, any individual intending to defraud, forge, or alter any obligation or other security can be charged. The following sections (472 and 473) also allow charges against anyone who utters and deals in counterfeit obligations or other securities.
In many cases, counterfeiting is tied to legal tender. However, producing false replicas of a product (such as a legal document, piece of jewelry, or clothing item) is also considered a counterfeiting crime.
A conviction may result in a sentence of up to 20 years and hefty fines. They can be highly challenging because federal counterfeiting charges are headed by federal agencies and prosecutors, who possess extensive resources and training. Furthermore, a federal conviction tends to result in a more severe penalty due to differences in the federal and state court processes. You must seek out a skilled defense attorney if you are accused of counterfeiting.
Extortion
Extortion (referred to as “blackmail” in plain language) uses force to gain property or money. The staff may take the form of violence, but it can also be a threat of harm to reputation or adverse government action. In the eyes of prosecutors, extortion is often categorized as a type of theft, regardless of whether the threat poses any imminent danger.
By 18 U.S.C. § 873, an individual can be charged with extortion if they have threatened to inform or not inform against a violation of U.S. law unless the victim meets their demands for money (or something of value). The law goes one step further, criminalizing the concealment of any proceeds resulting from extortion. This means that even if you did not directly extort money from the victim, hiding the financial effects can lead to severe charges. Fines and prison sentences of up to three years are among the possible penalties for extortion charges on a state level.
Extortion becomes a federal crime when an individual utilizes telephone, U.S. mail service, internet, or other interstate commerce to issue their demands. A federal conviction can lead to a maximum imprisonment of 20 years in a federal facility.
Forgery
Forgery is creating a false document, altering an existing one, or signing any document without proper authorization. These documents include contracts, legal certificates, identification cards, etc.
Like counterfeiting, forgery and its penalties are regulated under 18 U.S.C. § 471, 472, and 473. Prison terms can range upwards of 20 years, accompanied by significant fines. Our Houston forgery defense attorneys can advocate for you in state and federal court cases, ensuring you receive a proper defense and your rights are adequately protected.
Insider Trading
If a person uses inside information (about a company and its dealings) to make stock trading decisions, insider trading charges can be pursued. Insider trading includes buying and selling a security that breaches trust and confidence due to the individual utilizing information that was not made public.
Individuals who may commit insider trading, intentionally or not, can include anyone with access to inside information about a company: stock analysts, investment bankers, brokers, and company employees. It is a federal crime for individuals with inside information to use that knowledge or their specialized perspective to buy or sell stocks.
You may face hefty fines or a prison sentence if convicted of insider trading. Although many individuals charged with insider trading assume it to be a relatively low-level white-collar crime, the federal government will not hesitate to enact serious measures to enforce securities laws and impose stringent punishments.
Tax Evasion
Under federal law, it is a crime for an individual or business entity to avoid paying federal taxes intentionally. As stated in 26 U.S.C. § 7201, tax evasion is a felony federal offense.
A conviction for tax evasion can precipitate fines upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars and incarceration of up to five years. There are many reasons the I.R.S. may choose to charge you for tax evasion, the most common of which include failing to file timely tax returns or misrepresenting income.
Unfortunately, individuals charged with tax evasion are often the victims of faulty tax preparation by an accountant, assistant, or other third parties. But whether or not you were in charge of your tax preparation, the government still considers you accountable. Due to the high complexity of U.S. tax codes, locating a dedicated and experienced tax evasion attorney in Houston is crucial for your defense.
Other Types of White Collar Crime We Defend
The crimes above are the most common white-collar charges, but SKJM is also well-equipped to defend against many others. Our track record includes clients who have been charged with:
- Bankruptcy fraud
- Ponzi schemes
- M.L.M. fraud
- Money laundering
- Theft of trade secrets
Our defense attorneys are well-versed in white-collar crime cases, and we are very aware that these crimes are often overcharged and tirelessly prosecuted by the government. We aim to stand as our clients’ last line of defense and advocate for their rights.
White Collar Crime Lawyer in Houston, TX
If you need a trusted white-collar crime lawyer, Houston is home to some of the nation’s top-performing legal experts with state and federal experience.
The federal government prosecutes virtually all white-collar crime cases, making harsh penalties a genuine possibility. The government has the legal authority to pursue claims against individuals and companies, and the ramifications for an accused party are often severe and long-lasting. Legal penalties can run the gamut from fines and home detention to community confinement, forfeitures, restitution, supervised release, and even imprisonment.
You must hire a knowledgeable and experienced white-collar crime attorney who has navigated similar cases. Not only could your freedom be on the line, but your reputation, employment prospects, and professional future could also be at risk.
Discuss Your Charges With a Qualified Legal Team
If you feel you have been falsely accused of white-collar crime and need an attorney, please get in touch with us for assistance. Remember that not all law firms offer the same level of legal expertise. So, make sure you are adequately represented by contacting SKJM today. Call 713-228-8500