White collar crimes are criminal activities that attract federal law enforcement interest because of their national or regional scope or because of their potential to destroy public confidence in privileged organizations. Bribery, extortion and health care fraud are examples of white collar fraud that attract the attention of federal and state prosecutors, and keep New York City White Collar Criminal Defense Attorneys busy .
The increased use of the internet to conduct business has added to the rise of new kinds of white collar crimes. Computer-based fraud, hacking and identity theft are growing areas of white collar crime in New York and nationwide.
Types of White Collar Crime
- Racketeering – the extortion of money by force or a pattern of criminal activity committed to further the interests of a criminal syndicate.
- Computer Fraud – using a computer to commit a crime.
- Obstruction of Justice – interfering with the criminal process by impeding an investigation.
- Perjury – lying while under oath in a judicial proceeding.
- Securities and Commodities Law Violations
- Environmental Law Violations
- Embezzlement – the taking of someone’s property by a person with whom it is entrusted.
- Bribery - occurs when someone gives or takes a bribe.
- Larceny – involves taking someone’s property without paying for or returning it.
- Extortion – also known as blackmail.
- Fraud – this often includes but is not limited to health care fraud and tax fraud.
- Price Fixing – an agreement between two parties to set prices for a certain product, thereby violating free market operations.
Many people who have been accused of white collar crimes are professionals such as stock brokers, lawyers and doctors. In these cases it is important to implement a plan to preserver the career and integrity of the accused person.
In many cases a defendant may be faced with losing his or her professional license and therefore their ability to earn a living and provide for their families.
The majority of white collar offenses are felonies that can result in significant term of imprisonment and substantial fines. In many cases, the longer the prosecution has to investigate the charges, before the defendant has mounted an effective defense, the less amenable they will be to negotiations.
A target of a white collar crime investigation may have a legitimate defense that only needs to be properly presented to investigators. Not taking the appropriate action early on in an investigation may hurt your ability to get a deal or even dismissal of the charges.