The term “white collar crimes” generally refers to financial crimes or crimes committed by professionals who abuse their employment position or power. A variety of different white-collar crimes exist and are punishable under both federal and state laws.
White-collar crimes can have serious consequences. In addition to possible penalties of jail time and fines, you may need to make restitution to the victims. You may also be disqualified from holding many types of jobs in the future as a result of your criminal background. To avoid these potentially serious consequences, it is important that you act to protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney. The knowledgeable professionals at Musca Law have extensive experience representing clients accused of white collar crimes and can help you to determine the best response to white collar crimes that you have been charged with.
White Collar Crimes in Florida
There are many different types of illegal activities classified as white-collar crime in the state of Florida. These include:
- Embezzlement: Embezzlement offenses involve taking of money or property that does not belong to you through unlawful or fraudulent means. Various types of embezzlement are prohibited under laws preventing False Pretenses and Frauds (Fl. Stat. 817.02-817.569) and under Offenses Related to Financial Transactions (Fl. Stat. 896.101-896.108).
- Money laundering: Money laundering is prohibited by the Florida Money Laundering Act (Fl. Stat. 896.101). Money laundering involves attempting to conceal or disguise the source of money, property or assets obtained through the commission of a crime.
- Healthcare fraud: (FL Stat. 817.50) Healthcare fraud involves obtaining goods or services from a health care provider under false pretenses. Providing a false name or identification is prima facie evidence of health care fraud. Health care fraud is a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Mortgage Fraud: Obtaining a mortgage or mortgage note through dishonest means is prohibited under FL. Stat. 817.52 and is defined as a third degree felony. Other types of mortgage fraud are addressed under Fl. Stat 817.545. Telling an lies related to important issues (aka making material misstatements) can constitute mortgage fraud for purposes of this Act, unless the lie relate to employment, assets or income for a loan that does not require this information.
These are just a few examples of the many different types of white-collar crimes that you may be charged with in the state of Florida. Other possible examples of white collar crimes include mail fraud; Medicaid or Medicare fraud; banking fraud; credit card fraud; real estate fraud; tax fraud; insider trading; or participation in organized crime.
In some cases, these criminal acts and offenses are punished by state law only. In other instances, such as with insider trading crimes or tax fraud crimes, the crimes are federal crimes and the federal courts have the exclusive right to hear the case and impose the appropriate penalties. Some acts and offenses may be crimes under both federal and state law and a determination as to where you face charges will be made based on the severity of the crime and its results.
Whether you are charged on the federal level or the state level, it is very important to be proactive in fighting white-collar crime charges. There are a number of different defenses that you can raise including lack of intent; lack of sufficient evidence; or a violation of your constitutional rights during the investigation process. The experienced attorneys at Musca Law will help you to understand the different options for responding to white collar criminal charges and help you to decide on the best method for avoiding the potentially serious consequences you face.
If you have been charged with white collar crimes in Florida, call the Florida criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law for a free consultation. 800-687-2252. Phone answered 24/7.
