Blog Posts - Fraud
What Protections Are Available If I Face Retaliation for Whistleblowing?
The state, through the South Carolina Whistleblower Act and other relevant authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, provides strong protections for whistleblowers. Whistleblowing is risky for employees because they cannot be certain whether or not their employer will retaliate. Unfortunately, even though there are various federal…
READ MORECan I Remain Anonymous as a Whistleblower?
Yes and no. You can remain an anonymous whistleblower as long as the entity you are reporting to provides protection for anonymity. Whistleblowing is when a worker reports misconduct or unlawful activity within an organization that they believe can potentially harm the public. This can include safety and health threats, environmental damage, or criminal activities,…
READ MOREQui Tam/Whistleblowing
In fiscal year 2023, 18,000 whistleblowers reported fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of funds. Whistleblowing is the reporting of unlawful activity to a person or party that has the power to remedy the situation. To encourage this legal disclosure of information, private citizens are given the authority to work on behalf of the federal government….
READ MOREAre Whistleblowers Protected?
Whistleblowers serve a vital role by reporting fraud, mismanagement, safety, and health violations that pose a danger to the public. Federal laws, policies, and regulations are in effect to encourage whistleblowers to report these injustices while also protecting their jobs. If you have faced repercussions for reporting illegal activity performed by your employer or company,…
READ MOREWhat is the Legal Definition of a Whistleblower?
Whistleblowers are people who report information regarding waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement. In fiscal year 2022, there were 12,300 tips reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by whistleblowers. Although not always kindly looked upon, whistleblowers are performing a public service, given protections under the law. If you have experienced retaliation from whistleblowing, our…
READ MOREImportant Qui Tam Lawsuit Requirements
Today, it seems that whistleblowers often face retaliation for their service. However, the federal statute allows whistleblowers to report corruption on behalf of the federal government without fear of repercussions. Latin for “in the name of the king,” qui tam allows citizens to report acts of fraud and as a reward, the whistleblower can recover…
READ MOREBreaking fraud down into its elements of proof
White collar crimes are serious legal allegations. In South Carolina, the conduct that can constitute a while collar crime can range from alleged deceit in the procurement of a diploma to using telecommunications devices to commit fraud. At the heart of many white collar crimes is a claim of dishonest conduct that results in the…
READ MOREWhat will embezzlement charges mean for you?
Facing criminal charges is a grave threat to your future, especially when you are up against white collar criminal allegations, such as embezzlement. While a white collar case lacks an element of violence, these are not victimless crimes, and the federal government takes these cases seriously. You should take your situation seriously as well. Embezzlement…
READ MOREThe implications of bank fraud charges
A conviction of any type of white collar crime can result in penalties that will alter the direction of your future. You could spend time behind bars and suffer other consequences that will affect your long-term opportunities, personal freedom and reputation. Bank fraud is a common type of white collar crime, and if you are…
READ MOREPPE fraud on the rise during the pandemic
One of the most important Senate hearings of the year happened last week, and I can guarantee that you likely missed it. Don’t worry, there was a lot happening in the news. Even the media barely noticed the hearing with the mundane, even benign, title of “COVID-19 Fraud: Law Enforcement’s Response to Those Exploiting the…
READ MOREThe CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Fraud
The CARES Act was designed to help people and businesses survive through the Covid-19 pandemic. With it came the PPP, or Paycheck Protection Program. This specific item was created to provide financial support to small businesses based on their monthly expenses, number of employees, etc. We know that a program like PPP can be easy…
READ MOREInsurance fraud: is it serious?
Allegations of a financial crime could result in serious penalties for you, including the possibility of spending time behind bars. There are many types of white-collar crime, and insurance fraud is one of them. If you recently filed a major claim, you could find that this leads to questions about the nature of your claim…
READ MOREWhy are you suspected of health care fraud?
When you decided to become a doctor, you agreed to do no harm to your patients. You committed yourself to helping Greenville residents recover from injuries and illnesses and get back to a healthy and normal life. If you can’t do that, you provide them with the best care possible in order to manage their…
READ MOREAn investigation for wire fraud may have you feeling on edge
Conducting any type of business can come under scrutiny from time to time. Employees may have complaints, or the Internal Revenue Service may feel the need to conduct an audit over financial matters. While these can be stressful and difficult to address, your situation can become more distressing if you are accused of criminal charges….
READ MOREWhat should you know if charged with tax evasion?
If you are facing charges of tax evasion, you may be tempted to underestimate the serious nature of this type of criminal offense. White collar crimes, which are offenses that often involve financially motivated criminal activity, can result in penalties that can change the course of your life. It is in your interests to take…
READ MORETheft, embezzlement and fraud: What’s the difference?
Theft, fraud and embezzlement are all serious criminal charges. And one is not necessarily worse than the other. The penalties vary with the severity of the crime – the circumstances and the amount of money involved. Here’s a closer look at these terms you often hear in the news and what they may mean in…
READ MOREProfessionals facing criminal charges may have twice the worries
Professionals licensed in their field have twice as much to worry about when facing a criminal charge. On top of defending their rights against criminal allegations, they must protect their professional license. Most professional fields take a criminal conviction very seriously, as their freedom and their livelihood are at risk if convicted. It is important…
READ MOREInsider trading – a brief FAQ
What do you think of when you hear the words “insider trading”? Quite likely, you think of white collar criminals who got wind of some juicy information, used it to make a killing in the stock market, then got caught and winded up in jail. But most insider trading is actually legal. Corporate insiders trade…
READ MOREWhat you need to know when facing embezzlement charges
Facing charges of embezzlement can be overwhelming. While you may face significant penalties if convicted, even facing charges can come with substantial consequences for your career, reputation and future. For those working in sales, finance, accounting or another industry involving close contact with company or client funds, understanding what embezzlement is and the penalties you…
READ MORECollege scandal leads to fraud and conspiracy charges
The college admissions scandal has resulted in unprecedented – and extremely serious – felony charges. “Operation Varsity Blues” led to grand jury indictments of dozens of parents, coaches and administrators across the country. Rich parents buying their kids’ way into elite schools is hardly new – why is it suddenly a federal offense? Will “Aunt…
READ MOREGovernment’s tax evasion case did not add up
Sometimes prosecutors have the right guy but may not have all the facts right. This is a case where the government got just about everything wrong. Their math was bad. Their methods were sloppy. Their conclusions were wrong. Tax fraud charges against a Seattle restaurant owner were originally announced as the largest sales suppression case…
READ MORETax professional acquitted in federal tax fraud trial
An Ohio tax preparer feels vindicated (and relieved) after a jury acquitted him on 21 counts of tax fraud. He was facing the prospect of not merely losing his professional license but spending the rest of his life in prison. Although the case had a happy ending, it was a years-long ordeal for the accused….
READ MOREFailed Fyre Festival leads to fraud arrest and civil lawsuits
Billy McFarland, founder of the failed Fyre Festival, says he overestimated his ability to pull together a successful first-time event. Billed as “more than just a music festival,” Fyre Festival was supposed to be an upscale destination experience. Instead, the island concert was a lackluster debacle on many levels and McFarland is now facing federal…
READ MOREBe aware of implication in wire fraud
Working in a position of power in South Carolina is a double-edged sword. While your job may be well-paid and interesting, it can also mean that you come under a lot of scrutiny. If you make any kind of mistake, there may be suspicions that it was a deliberate action intended to benefit yourself or…
READ MOREWoman charged with credit card fraud in South Carolina
Being faced with a criminal investigation is seldom easy. You may experience negative treatment at work or in your personal life as a result of the charges against you. You may even be suspended from work during the course of the case. Even so, if you become involved a federal investigation, it can be helpful…
READ MOREMultimillion dollar fraud charges threaten South Carolina duo
Business transactions often involve large sums of money and for some it is all too great a temptation. So when something goes wrong, or that money goes missing, people soon want answers. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to make mistakes that can ultimately appear incriminating. This in turn can lead to charges of fraud,…
READ MORELawmaker battles charges of fraud
In South Carolina, charges of federal crimes such as fraud are taken very seriously. Unfortunately, some people fall foul of such allegations through no fault of their own. Mistakes on tax returns, missed payments and other such errors can all come into play in a fraud charge. The consequences of a conviction can be severe,…
READ MORECouple charged with felony fraud over welfare payments
Filing for tax refunds, welfare and other such benefits can be a complicated process. Furthermore, if you misrepresent yourself, you could face criminal charges if your mistake is deemed intentional. Both defrauding the government and tax evasion are federal crimes carrying hefty penalties. Residents of South Carolina should take care in such matters and be…
READ MORETwo South Carolina tax preparers convicted on tax fraud charges
One of the goals of tax preparers is to provide the best possible tax outcome for their clients. It is very important for tax preparers to exercise great care to stay within the bounds of the law when pursuing this goal. Accusations of having prepared fraudulent returns for a client in order to benefit a…
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