You likely hear stories of confrontations between law enforcement authorities and organized crime rings and immediately dismiss the notion of you ever becoming caught up in such activity. That is what makes the news of you facing charges of racketeering so shocking....
Complying with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Under the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, an individual or a business may face charges over allegations of bribery. Examples of bribery include offering foreign officials money, services or property in exchange for profitable contracts. According to the Securities...
High-profile embezzlement cases and your reputation
Embezzlement, a white collar crime. will have a number of especially challenging issues to work through. Whenever embezzlement charges arise, those facing allegations of wrongdoing have numerous financial and legal repercussions to take into account. The outcome of a...
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...
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...
How a federal grand jury works
As with any criminal case, a federal charge will typically go before a grand jury before the prosecutor can file a formal indictment. According to the U.S. Courts, the grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence like a trial jury. Instead, it determines if there is...