What to do if you are under federal criminal investigation
A federal agency investigates crimes brought to its attention to determine whether an offense happened and who is responsible. These federal law enforcement agencies investigate your alleged crime when there is reason to believe that your actions violated a federal...
Taking advantage of the SEC Whistleblower Protection Program
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has broad authority to investigate violations of federal securities law. While the SEC has a variety of ways to uncover illegal insider trading, the commission regularly relies on information from whistleblowers. To...
Houston Man Charged with COVID-19 Relief Fraud
A Houston man, Lee Price III, allegedly collected $1.6 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relief funds on account of two businesses with no known employees, and purchased a Lamborghini Urus, a Rolex watch, and real estate among other extravagant personal...
The penalties for financial fraud
Individuals facing fraud-related charges may face lengthy jail sentences, steep fines and probationary periods. These hurdles can cause notable setbacks even for the most innovative and productive of professionals in the field. Financial fraud - an umbrella term...
Is it possible to unwittingly launder money in Texas?
In short, it is technically possible to face a money laundering conviction in Texas even if you are not intentionally breaking the law; however, understanding State Penal Code definitions and laws surrounding this issue may shed light on your concerns. Money...
DOJ Continues to Prioritize and Combat CARES Act and COVID-19 Fraud
In March 2020, The Department of Justice (DOJ) directed federal prosecutors to prioritize their investigation and prosecution of fraud relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because so many Americans and small businesses are suffering from the economic effects of the...
3 common ways the SEC uncovers illegal insider trading
In theory, the securities market should be a level playing field that offers no advantages to anyone. In practice, though, that may not be the case. Individuals who owe a fiduciary duty to someone else may use private information to buy or sell securities. This...
Ethics spotlight: The impact of the FCPA in Mexico
Those who do business in other countries have almost always had to balance the professional ethical environments of the two markets. Organizations often do not play by the same rules in foreign countries as they do in the United States — neither in theory nor in...
Supreme Court Limits SEC’s Ability to Recoup Profits from Fraud
On June 22, 2020, The Supreme Court affirmed the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’) ability to force defendants to forfeit money acquired through wrongdoing, but placed new limits on its disgorgement practice. The Supreme Court held in an 8-to-1 decision...
Bankruptcy Fraud: New Wave of Prosecutions
The affect of the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted businesses across the nation and has caused financial instability, which will lead to an unprecedented amount of bankruptcy filings. It is foreseeable that there will also be an uptick in bankruptcy fraud...
