White Collar Fraud

In an effort to demonstrate that the Federal Government is even handedly prosecuting members of society, and not simply going after drug dealers, there is an increasing emphasis on behalf of the Federal Government to charge individuals with various types of fraud.

While most people charged with a crime are arrested by police officers and spend the night in jail, most white collar defendants first learn that they are under investigation either when the Inspector General of their particular agency or a member of the FBI contacts them. Usually suspects are given a chance to speak with the agent, hire an attorney and later meet with an Assistant United States Attorney.

If you are contacted by a government agent who alleges that you have broken the law, or if your boss, either in a government agency or in the private sector, contacts you about allegations of fraud, theft, misuse of property, etc., you should immediately call an experienced criminal defense attorney. Since you have been only "contacted" and not arrested, any statements you make may ultimately be used against you. Speak with a lawyer before you say anything. Even a denial of guilt could later hurt you.

Often times the agent may be simply fishing. But even if you know you have broken the law and know from the statements the agent makes that he or she is not fishing, the agent might still be unaware of the full extent of your involvement and your statements may alert the government to facts about which they are unaware. This is of extreme importance given the Federal Sentencing Guidelines which call for mandatory jail time in most circumstances. The more the government knows about illegal activity, especially as it relates to the amount of money taken or lost, the more severe the jail time can be.

If you are contacted you should politely tell the agent that you appreciate being contacted but that you wish to call an attorney. Assure them that you will call an attorney promptly and that you will have your attorney contact them as soon as possible. Ask the agent for identification and make sure you receive a telephone number where the agent can be contacted. You should also inquire of the agent as to what agency is investigating the allegations he/she has made and ask them for the name of a prosecuting attorney.

I can provide you, over the phone, with answers to many of the questions you will have as a free initial consultation. I can make sure that you avoid many of the errors most people make in the first few days after being contacted by government agents. And if you decide to hire me, I will work with you in an effort to avoid being charged and, if charged, avoid a conviction or avoid incarceration.

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