White-Collar and Financial Crimes

What a white-collar charge means

"White-collar" crimes are accusations about money, business or records rather than violence. They include:

• Fraud, such as wire, mail, bank, health care, insurance or tax fraud
• Embezzlement, meaning taking money you were trusted to manage
• Money laundering, meaning hiding where money came from
• False statements, bribery and public-corruption charges
• Identity theft and computer-related crimes

These cases can be filed in state court or federal court. They often involve large amounts of documents, emails and financial records, and they can start with an investigation that lasts months or longer.

What may be at stake

• Your freedom, through prison time or a period of supervision
• Paying money back (restitution), fines, and losing property the government says is connected to the case
• Your career, business, professional license and reputation
• Your immigration status, if you are not a U.S. citizen

How a white-collar case usually moves

Every case is different, and the steps and timing can vary. In general:

1. Investigation. Agents or investigators gather records, sometimes with subpoenas or search warrants, and interview witnesses.
2. Charge. In federal court, a grand jury usually issues an indictment. In state court, the case is filed in the county where it happened.
3. Evidence review. Your attorney reviews the records, which can be very large, often with help from people who understand accounting or technology.
4. Resolution. The case may be dismissed, resolved by agreement, or go to trial. You decide whether to accept an offer or go to trial.

How our attorneys help

• We get involved early, when there may still be a chance to influence whether and how charges are brought.
• We organize and study the records so we understand them as well as the government does.
• We look closely at intent: whether you meant to deceive anyone, or whether there was a mistake, a disagreement, or someone else's decision.
• We help protect your business and reputation while the case goes on.