Blog Posts - White collar crimes
What 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 MOREWhen can people be charged with insurance fraud?
Unexpected events occur in people’s lives in South Carolina. Many of these unexpected events can be very costly as well. This could be a car accident resulting in damage to vehicles and injuries. There could be a hurricane or other weather event that damages people’s homes. People can also develop diseases or other medical conditions…
READ MOREEarly intervention can position you well in healthcare fraud case
The healthcare industry is incredibly complicated. Not only do doctors and nurses have to be trained and educated sufficiently enough to adequately treat their patients and avoid medical malpractice claims, but they also need to know how the law applies to their billing practices so that they don’t end up facing criminal charges. After all,…
READ MOREFacing fraud charges? Recent case shows importance of intent
White collar crimes are those offenses that typically involve some time of fraud in order to acquire financial gain. Embezzlement is a common white collar crime, but prosecutors often bring these types of charges against individuals who work in a professional capacity outside of standard corporate America. For example, doctors and other health care professionals…
READ MOREThe difference between Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes
White-collar crimes in South Carolina include several nonviolent felonies the offender commits for personal gain. They take their name from the white-collar workers who tend to commit them, often by taking advantage of their position. An example of a white-collar crime is a Ponzi scheme, which often gets confused with pyramid schemes. Definition of Ponzi…
READ MORECan a tax payer accidentally commit fraud?
White-collar crimes in South Carolina include several categories of non-violent actions like money laundering, ID theft and tax fraud. It involves the perpetrator knowingly and willfully trying to deceive to benefit themselves. These crimes come with fines and may include prison terms, but they aren’t always committed intentionally. Tax fraud vs. evasion According to statistics,…
READ MOREWhy kickbacks are illegal
Receiving kickbacks is still a very real crime being committed in South Carolina and across the country. Understandably, this is often confused with bribery, which is similar but not the same. Bribery is something of value given upfront, whereas kickbacks are usually a reward for something which has already been done. But, of course, there…
READ MORECommon types of auto insurance fraud
When it comes to reporting an auto accident in South Carolina or other states around the country, it is incredibly important to ensure that you are reporting accurate information. Failure to do so can lead you to be accused and charged with committing auto insurance fraud. In fact, insurance companies around the nation take this…
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 MOREDoctor at the center of prescription drug case is going to prison
Medical providers in South Carolina and elsewhere try to do what they believe is best for their patients. In doing so, though, they sometimes cross lines that can have criminal consequences. If convicted, those consequences can be severe. Recently, a doctor in a nearby state received a prison sentence for the illegal distribution of prescription…
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 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 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 MOREAre you being investigated for a white collar crime?
The chances are high that you have been pulled over for speeding or some other minor traffic violation. In that situation, you know immediately that you may have broken a law. Not all violations result in immediate notification, however. In the case of white collar crime, you may actually be one of the last people…
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 MORENoncompliance with ACA could trigger IRS audit, prosecution
Many business practices can attract scrutiny as possible tax fraud Obamacare is still the law of the land. Failure to extend coverage or make Affordable Care Act payments can result in a tax audit and civil penalties or even charges of tax fraud. Avoiding ACA obligations joins the long list of red flags that might…
READ MOREHelping To Hide A Crime Is A Crime
Recovering the money is often a chief priority in fraud investigations Just like the proverbial person who helps bury a body, a person who helps conceal a white collar crime can likewise be charged with fraud, wire fraud or conspiracy. Five former executives of a credit card processing company are accused of siphoning more than…
READ MORECompany to pay large fine to settle allegations of misconduct
The U.S. Government has a long tradition of using government contracts to promote small businesses. Among those initiatives is a preference granted to small business owned by veterans who were disabled due to their service. Congress set up procurement targets for the VA to promote these small businesses. To be eligible for one of these…
READ MOREJustice Department catches former U.S. citizen in Switzerland
In a stirring narrative that brings to mind images of Frank Abagnale from “Catch Me If You Can,” a former U.S. citizen pleaded guilty to tax fraud while living in Switzerland. This particular individual used a complex association of companies and bank accounts to funnel money around the world, with the alleged goal of avoiding…
READ MOREIt is easier than you think to infringe on a copyright
Everyone knows the classic way to violate a copyright, downloading music. Downloads violate copyrights because in addition to stealing an idea, federal law also prohibits using a copyright in a manner not prescribed by the copyright holder. This means that republishing material and posting material could also violate copyrights. Republishing material could be as sinister…
READ MOREWhat Are Crimes of Deception?
With technology providing people greater interconnectivity than ever before there’s an evolution of white-collar crime. Actions enabled through new technologies can still be classified under the 1939 FBI definition of white-collar crime; crimes of lying, cheating and stealing. You may be surprised to find that federal investigators are focusing more than ever on stopping fraud…
READ MOREWhite collar charges can have serious penalties
When you hold a position of responsibility within an organization, it is vital to keep your record clean. A blemish on your reputation or a mistake made on the job can be a big problem and could result in you being suspended from your position. This is especially the case if you are charged with…
READ MOREWhite collar charges can severely affect your future
In South Carolina, it is no secret that a criminal conviction can be extremely detrimental to your future prospects and even have an effect on your current employment. This is especially the case if you are in a position of great responsibility as the damage to your reputation could result in you being dismissed. Even…
READ MOREGraduate charged with theft from sorority
As most people in South Carolina know, positions involving the handling of large sums of money come with a significant amount of responsibility. A mistake can be extremely costly for the organization involved and can even bring you under suspicion. Not only could you be removed from your position, but you might even find yourself…
READ MOREWhat is tax evasion?
Tax forms can be extremely confusing and it is all too easy to make a mistake. However, as most residents of South Carolina know, such an error can be costly. It is vital to thoroughly check all tax documents before submitting them as an error could be interpreted as an attempt at defrauding the tax…
READ MORECriminal charges can destroy your reputation
When you work in a position of power and responsibility, your reputation is critical. You need to be seen as trustworthy and reliable or you could find yourself being removed from the position or, perhaps worse, being blamed for mistakes or illicit activity connected with your office. In South Carolina, law enforcement officials are so…
READ MOREGreat responsibility can lead to serious accusations
Reaching a position of great responsibility within your organization can be a worthy achievement. However, like all such things it comes with its risks. The more responsibility you bear, the greater the scrutiny under which you are held and the more serious your mistakes are considered to be. Worse still, some may even suggest that…
READ MOREBe careful when filing your taxes
If you work in a position of power or influence, there is a good chance that you will be constantly under scrutiny. The slightest mistake may be construed as deliberate and before you know it you could be accused of a white collar crime. It is a reality that all too many individuals in South…
READ MOREWhat is a white collar crime?
When you work in a position of power, you may be constantly under scrutiny. The slightest mistake might be deemed to be a deliberate attempt to misuse that power. Furthermore, any such slip could severely damage your reputation and jeopardize your position. In South Carolina, white-collar crimes are not an uncommon occurrence and as such…
READ MOREWhite collar charges can seriously harm your reputation
High profile individuals and those in positions of power often find themselves under considerable scrutiny. The slightest mistake may be called into question, however innocent, and motives may be inferred from your every action. Unfortunately, this can have serious repercussions for your personal and professional life. We saw in a previous post how conjecture about…
READ MOREQueries about mayor’s conduct arise in South Carolina trial
The possibility of facing criminal charges is worrying for anyone. However, for those in the public eye and positions of power, it can have an even more significant impact. For a Columbia Mayor, this is all too real a possibility as queries about his business practices arose during the trial of another South Carolina official….
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,…
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