Federal White-Collar Crimes Lawyer St. Louis, MO. If you have been charged with or are being investigated for any federal white-collar crime such as fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, money laundering, or Ponzi scheme, you need to speak with a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately. Call Combs Law Group at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online. Our St. Louis white-collar crimes attorney can conduct a free, no-obligation, and confidential case review regarding the specifics of your case.
Despite being nonviolent, white-collar crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible at the federal level and the penalties can be severe. Most of these are investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) working closely with partner law enforcement and regulatory agencies like the Security Exchange Commission (SEC), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. These agencies have clout, and their investigations are lengthy, complex, and intensive. Do not try to go at it alone. You need the expertise of a St. Louis white-collar crime defense attorney from Combs Law in your corner.
St. Louis White-Collar Crimes are not Victimless
Many people have the false notion that St. Louis white-collar crimes are not as dangerous as other crimes due to the fact that those accused do not use violence to commit crimes. While the accused may not carry a weapon, there are plenty of instances where white-collar crime has led to death and destruction. White-collar crime can be devastating for the victims, which is why there are so many federal agencies, watchdogs, and resources devoted to putting the accused behind bars.
If you are facing a white-collar crime charge in St. Louis, it is vital to have an experienced federal legal team like Combs Law on your side, because the federal prosecutor will be working hard to put you away. Our criminal defense team is familiar with the way federal judges and prosecutors handle these cases, and the team has a history of winning. When you hire us, we go to work for you right away – conducting our own investigation, examining the arrest records, search warrants, and other paperwork involved with your case. Armed with this information, we can often challenge the evidence being used against you. We can also likely get certain evidence blocked, perhaps from having a search and seizure ruled unconstitutional, just as an example. That puts us in a position to negotiate a better deal or even get the case dismissed. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online. We can’t guarantee that we will win your case, but we can guarantee that we will:
- Provide dedicated and professional legal representation to the best of our abilities, backed by years of experience
- Pay the greatest attention to detail during every step of your case
- Fight aggressively on your behalf
- Make your defense strategy as solid as possible, using lessons learned from past cases
- Refuse to accept anything less than the absolute best possible outcome for your case
What Offenses are Considered Federal White-Collar Crimes in St. Louis, MO?
Federal white-collar crimes truly run the gamut – from wire fraud, money laundering, and Ponzi schemes, to embezzlement, securities fraud, and insider trading. Regardless of the alleged crime, an experienced and aggressive St. Louis federal white-collar crimes lawyer is essential if you find yourself targeted by the federal government. For more information on the best approach to take in your federal case, schedule an office visit with a determined criminal defense attorney at Combs Law who has a strong track record defending clients against allegations of the following types of white-collar crimes:
- Fraud
Under 18 U.S. Code § 47, fraud is the “intentional or negligent misrepresentation or falsification of information to gain information or money.” In short, fraud is deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain, or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Types of fraud include:
- Tax fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Wire fraud
- Securities fraud
- Bankruptcy fraud
The penalties for fraud are almost as broad as the types. Though sentences differ widely, federal charges can lead to up to 20 years in prison and maximum fines of $250,000, as well as possible restitution. However, when a fraud scheme involves federal disaster relief or a financial institution those maximums increase to 30 years and $1 million. One important thing of note is that the charges often pile up quickly – they are charged per instance, meaning, as an example, for wire fraud, every mail, email, phone call, text, etc., is one count. Speak with a white-collar crimes attorney at Combs Law right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online.
Key takeaways: Mail fraud is the most common fraud charge and is, in fact, one of the most common federal criminal charges. Also, it is estimated that businesses lose an average of 5 percent of their gross revenues to fraud.
- Embezzlement
- Tax Evasion
Tax evasion is the use of illegal methods of concealing income or information from the IRS or other tax authority. There are actually two potential offenses under 26 U.S. Code § 7201 – the willful attempt to evade or defeat the assessment of a tax, and the willful attempt to evade or defeat the payment of a tax. Therefore, in order to prove a violation, the government must prove: (1) An affirmative act constituting an attempt to evade or defeat a tax or a payment thereof; (2) an additional tax due and owing; and (3) willfulness. You may be fined up $100,000 ($500,000 for corporate tax evasion) and sent to jail for up to five years. Examples of tax evasion include:
- Paying for childcare under the table
- Ignoring overseas income
- Banking on cryptocurrency
- Not reporting income from all-cash business or illegal activities
Key takeaway: The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.
- Insider Trading
Embezzlement is the misappropriation of property or funds that have been entrusted to a person and are misused for personal gain. Embezzlement has certain characteristics that distinguish it from the more common crime of larceny, defined under 18 U.S. Code § 31. An important aspect to keep in mind is that the person who has been accused of embezzlement has a legal right to possess or access the property, but does not actually own the property. Proving embezzlement requires the prosecution to establish fraudulent conversion of the property of another, when the accused had lawful possession of the property. The federal crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. If you are facing embezzlement charges, get in touch with a St. Louis white-collar crimes lawyer at Combs Law immediately by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online.
Key takeaway: How easy it was for a team member to embezzle over $240,000 from a small business over the course of 2 years.Insider trading is the practice of encouraging or discouraging investors based on insider information about the company. Some executives may feel the need to warn their friends or partners if the company is in trouble. Like most white-collar crimes, insider trading is often paired with another charge like fraud, wire fraud, or conspiracy. If you have been charged or investigated for insider trading, get in touch with a St. Louis white-collar crimes attorney at Combs Law today. According to the SEC, the maximum sentence for insider trading is 20 years with a fine of $5 million.
Key Takeaway: Five surprising facts about insider trading.
Contact a St. Louis White-Collar Crimes Attorney Today | Combs Law Group
If you or someone you know has been charged with or investigated for a white-collar crime, you need an experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyer on your side as soon as possible.
No matter what type of charges you are currently facing, hiring a white-collar crimes attorney is in your best interest. Contact Combs Law online or call us at (314) 900-HELP to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation. We are here to help you. Even if you don’t choose us to defend you, we are here to explain your rights and ensure you are aware of your options.