What You Need to Know About Allegations of White-collar Crime
Although violent crimes and felonies will typically carry significant consequences for a person convicted, white-collar crime is a serious issue as well. Far too many people downplay the potential implications of white-collar crime, and therefore, do not retain an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
However, white-collar crime can do damage to your reputation as well as to your record. If you are convicted of a white-collar crime, you can anticipate criminal penalties to apply as well as the potential for this criminal record to follow you around for years to come, making it difficult for you to get a new job or even to rent an apartment. Most people are not familiar with the many different kinds of crimes that fall under the umbrella of a white-collar crime classification. Most white-collar crimes fall under these various categories:
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Tax evasion
- Money laundering
- Fraud
Many white-collar crimes include some type of allegation of fraud, such as taking money or property from another person for the purpose of financial gain. One of the most commonly referenced types of fraud has to do with securities.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement may include taking money illegally, usually from an employer. These cases may involve:
- An employee who is secretly diverting money from an organizational account or the company into personal bank accounts.
- An accountant who is accused of stealing from the company.
- An investment advisor who is accused of misusing client money.
Tax Evasion
Illegal avoidance of taxes and any behaviors that are associated with it under federal or state tax laws are referred to as tax evasion. Tax evasion can even include filling out a tax form inappropriately. Both businesses and individuals can be accused of tax evasion. You can expect that if the government is pursuing tax evasion charges against you that they have already gathered evidence and therefore you need to respond swiftly and with the proper documentation.
Money Laundering
Money laundering encompasses a broad range of different types of activities that can all land an accused person in hot water. In general, it refers to;
- The process of hiding illegally obtained money.
- Transactions that make it look like the money was illegally obtained.
Other Types of White-Collar Crimes
These are just a couple of examples of the most commonly charged white-collar crimes. There are many different criminal acts that can fall under this umbrella and many of them are not properly understood by a person who is accused.
Often when prosecutors move forward with allegations of white-collar crime, they have already been studying the person for a long period of time and may have already developed a compelling case against you.
This is why it is so important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you, because the other side has a leg up as they may have known about these issues for some time and are prepared to move forward with a trial immediately. Your lawyer usually plays multiple roles in these scenarios, all working towards the best outcome for you whenever that is possible. This includes:
Reviewing the evidence used to charge you
- Evaluating whether or not your rights were violated
- Communicating with prosecutors and working towards a plea deal
- Gathering all the evidence and witnesses that could be used to illustrate your innocence in court
- Making sure that if bail is assessed in your case, that it’s a reasonable amount given the circumstances.
You deserve to have someone in your corner who will do everything possible to protect your best interests, so do not hesitate to get help from an experienced lawyer immediately.
Contact the Law Office of John E. Kusturiss, Jr.
At the Law Office of John E. Kusturiss, Jr., we have more than 30 years of practice experience. We handle the defense of all types of criminal charges. Contact us online or call us at 610-565-0240 to arrange an appointment.
There is no charge for your initial consultation. We are available to meet with you evenings or weekends upon request. We take Visa, MasterCard and Discover, as well as debit cards.
