For those charged federally for a white-collar crime, there are few factors that can carry as much weight in a plea agreement as cooperation. An individual who is willing to assist in criminal investigations is more likely to be given much more favorable terms in a plea deal. If you are unsure what cooperation entails and how it will impact the outcome of your case when facing federal white-collar crime charges, it is important that you speak to an experienced Dallas, TX white-collar crime lawyer. What Is Involved In Cooperation? Cooperation in a…Read More
Although white-collar crimes are generally considered to be non-violent crimes that often have no single victim like other criminal offenses, the consequences of a white-collar crime conviction can be both serious and long-term. Many white-collar crimes rely heavily on information and evidence gathered from computers. Since computer information can be manipulated, it is important that prosecutors ensure digital traces have not been falsified or insufficiently documented and that the evidence is handled and distributed securely. Many white-collar crimes are charged federally because of the use of the Internet and computers…Read More
The winter holiday season is often called the "season of giving." Individuals and corporations alike are most likely to make charitable donations during the month of decision. Not only is it the holidays, but it is also the end of the year, causing people and businesses hoping to get their tax write-offs to make last-minute donations. With the amount of people who donate and the number of organizations that aggressively seek donations during this time of year, it should be unsurprising that those seeking to profit from charity fraud are…Read More
If you know that you are under federal investigation for a white-collar crime like embezzlement or tax fraud, arrest is likely imminent. Unless everything the federal investigators find shows that you must be innocent, you should anticipate an arrest in the coming weeks or months. You will probably not be warned in advance that an arrest is coming - the federal police prefer to take suspects by surprise so they do not have a chance to flee the state or worse, fight back. Unfortunately, this means that you could be abruptly plucked…Read More
When you are a white-collar professional, jail can be especially uncomfortable. You likely have never experienced these types of conditions before, and the other inmates may take issue with you due to your status. You may be left feeling like a fish out of water. Fortunately, most people accused of white-collar crime are able to make bail and go home to await trial in relative comfort. Because you are dealing with the federal court system, the bail process is slightly different than it would be if you were accused of a state-level crime and…Read More
A businessman who worked for an American energy-trading company has pleaded guilty for his involvement in a scheme to bribe government officials in Mexico. The businessman and his company paid around $600,000 in bribes to secure contracts to provide ethane to a Mexican-owned petroleum company. To facilitate this scheme, the businessman and his co-conspirators used shell companies, fake invoices and contracts, and fake names on email accounts to earn hundreds of millions of dollars in business. The man was charged under The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a federal law that prohibits…Read More
If you are facing sentencing for a white-collar crime, you are likely highly apprehensive. After all, the sentence you receive can affect your life for many years. Some white-collar crimes like fraud or embezzlement that involve large sums of money may trigger a federal mandatory minimum sentence based on the amount of money involved. Mandatory minimums may also be applicable if this is not your first conviction for a white-collar crime. For many other white-collar federal convictions, sentencing can be altered by a number of factors. Having a knowledgeable Dallas, TX…Read More
You can find yourself in a very precarious position if your business partner becomes involved in white-collar crime. You may have initially thought that he was an honest businessman who shared your goals and values. Then, a few months or even years later, you notice that something is not right. Maybe there is an accounting discrepancy, and you realize that he is reporting cash earnings that are much higher than what you know the business takes in. Or, you see that your company paid a lot less in taxes than you were expecting and…Read More