» White Collar Crime

Some people have the mistaken belief that if they talk to the police officer, the prosecutor, or the investigating agent that they can persuade them of their innocence. 

That’s simply not the case. 

If you are under investigation for a crime, tell the law enforcement officer that you are invoking your right to remain silent, and that you want to speak to an attorney. Then hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible. 

Other times, people are worried that hiring a lawyer makes they “appear” guilty. 

Prosecutors and other law enforcement agents understand that someone accused of a crime wants to speak to a lawyer when they have been notified that they are under investigation. It is your right, and it cannot be held against you.  

White collar crime is punished just like any other criminal offense and may include significant fines and jail time. Sentences for white collar criminal convictions often include restitution, or paying back the ill-gotten financial gains. They also carry significant collateral consequences, such as tax liability, suspension or loss of a professional license, and suspension or debarment from participating in federally funded programs. Health care providers or individuals employed in the health care industry can lose their ability to receive reimbursement from state and federal health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, a process known as “exclusion.”

White collar crimes are typically financial crimes committed by someone who has authority over someone else’s finances. Examples include:

• Bank fraud
• Health care fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Ponzi schemes
• RICO crimes
• Tax evasion
• Bribery
• Theft in office
• Accounting fraud
• Blackmail
• Check fraud
• Embezzlement
• Forgery
• Insider trading
• Racketeering