Examples of White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes can be broadly defined as illegal enterprises that are undertaken for the intent to achieve financial gain without the physical harm of another person. Although white collar crimes do not generally lead to violence, they are serious charges that involve significant penalties. If you have been charged with any type of white collar crime, contact a defense attorney as soon as possible. While white collar crimes often carry the potential for lengthy prison sentences, your criminal defense lawyer in Columbus can work to mitigate the charges and protect your legal rights.

Embezzlement

If you have been placed in charge of someone else’s assets—either property or money—you could be charged with embezzlement. A charge of embezzlement alleges that you have stolen the assets under your management. For example, an accountant may be accused of manipulating accounting records to transfer funds to his or her account. A store clerk may be accused of pilfering money from the cash drawer. In order to be convicted of embezzlement, the prosecutor must prove that you intentionally took the money. Your criminal defense lawyer may be able to prove that the funds went missing unintentionally. For example, a cash drawer in a retail store may be short because of a simple counting error.

Bankruptcy Fraud

If you’re charged with bankruptcy fraud, it’s important to hire a veteran white collar crimes attorney, just as you would hire a weapons charge defense attorney if you were accused of that particular crime. Bankruptcy fraud is a complex type of white collar crime that typically involves accusations of lying under oath, concealing funds, transferring financial assets, and sometimes even bribing a bankruptcy trustee.

Investment Fraud

Investment fraud is a common type of white collar crime that often involves “pump and dump” schemes. With this scheme, an individual will create a shell company. The shares are issued to fictitious names. Then, the stock is hyped up through news releases and other venues. Legitimate investors then purchase shares, driving the price up. Then, the individual dumps his or her own shares and reaps the financial rewards, while the other investors lose their funds. Investment fraud is complex and requires a strong legal defense by a veteran attorney.