White Collar Criminal Defense of Embezzlement
When anyone uses access to funds or financial information of another and uses that access to siphon funds into their own possession, they have broken white collar crime laws of embezzlement. This crime can take on many forms. The following are just a few examples:
- The Internet has introduced new opportunities for embezzlement. A May, 2010 investigation uncovered Illinois retail store manager in Illinois who photographed store products and sold them online. Between August, 2007 and January, 2010, he netted a profit of approximately $50,000.
- The Internet is not the only way to run afoul of white collar crime laws. In a recent case, a dentist gave his bookkeeper control over his books. Due to his trusting nature, she embezzled at least $130,000 from his business over a two year period.
- In a 2008 case reported to being among the largest fraud cases in the history of Washington, D.C., a number of Tax and Revenue employees wrote bogus property tax refund checks—payable to themselves.
Building a white collar criminal defense
To avoid detection, offenders siphon funds in small amounts over an extended period of time. But, there are red flags, such as abnormal drops in profits, disorganized or missing records, and odd employee behavior—even an employee who rewrites records for the sake of neatness can be a clear sign of a potential problem.
On the other hand, not all suspicious behavior automatically proves embezzlement. Skilled white collar crime lawyers investigate the circumstances behind the charges and are watchful of prosecutions that use circumstantial evidence that is easily refuted in court.
Anyone facing embezzlement charges needs an experienced white collar crime lawyer
If you are being investigated or charged with embezzlement, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as you become aware of an investigation against you. Contact Lotze Mosley, LLP at (202) 393-0535 to schedule an initial appointment to discuss your situation as soon as you are investigated or charged with a crime.
