White Collar Crime usually involves many types of non-violent criminal offenses. White Collar Crime generally includes fraudulent schemes carried out by more sophisticated means and persons than is the case with more typical street type criminals. Bankruptcy fraud, consumer fraud, financial fraud, insurance fraud, Medicare or medical fraud, computer crimes, bribery, blackmail, counterfeiting, identity theft, illegal gambling activity, forgery, money laundering, violation of anti-trust laws, tax evasion or schemes to evade taxes, embezzlement, racketeering, insider trading and securities fraud are examples of White Collar Criminal activity.

Criminal investigation of suspected White Collar Crime often begins years before charges are brought. They may start with seemingly casual conversations during an audit during which a person ultimately charged with a crime turns over all manner of documents, proclaiming, “I have nothing to hide”. And later on business acquaintances, accountants, bookkeepers and others may provide information to the authorities that place themselves in the best possible light without admitting that they gave advice along the way. All of this occurs while the government is focusing on its suspect and planning to use the suspect’s conduct during the investigation to demonstrate his or her state of mind by things such as whether the suspect seemed or acted evasive, misleading, deceitful, secretative, etc., etc.

There is an old, generally true, adage that what a suspect says to the prosecution team can be used against him or she but that whatever your attorney discusses usually cannot be used against you. John Reilly & Associates has years of experience with representing potential white collar criminal defendants prior to any charges being brought, many times helping to turn an investigation of this type into a civil matter or nothing at all. At other times our early pre-indictment representation has allowed us to help clients minimize or entirely avoid potential legal damage by restricting the flow of protected information, reaching out to witnesses before the prosecution so that they remain truthful, fearless and willing to avoid pre-judging our clients, and guiding our clients through these treacherous days, weeks and years. And post-indictment, we have excellent experience in defending our clients by presenting their case, correcting erroneous facts and conclusions, challenging the “evidence”, presenting affirmative defenses and convincing a judge and/or jury that the government has not proven its case “beyond a reasonable doubt”. So if you are or suspect that you may be the target of a White Collar criminal investigation or charges, contact us immediately for a free initial consultation.