The phrase " white collar crime " was coined in 1939 during a speech given by Edwin Sutherland to the American Sociological Society. Sutherland defined the term as "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." The term today generally encompasses a variety of nonviolent crimes usually committed in commercial situations for financial gain. Many white collar crimes are especially difficult to prosecute because the perpetrators are sophisticated criminals who have attempted to conceal their activities through a series of complex transactions.

 

White collar crimes typically refer to a type of crime committed by business people, entrepreneurs, public officials, and professionals through deception, as opposed to street crimes which tend to involve force (i.e., violent crimes).

 

The most common white collar offenses include: Bank fraud, antitrust violations, computer / internet fraud, credit card fraud, phone / telemarketing fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, environmental law violations, insurance fraud,  mail fraud, government fraud, tax evasion, financial fraud,  securities fraud, insider trading, bribery, kickbacks, counterfeiting, public corruption, money laundering, embezzlement , economic espionage,  trade secret theft, Computer Hacking, Credit Card Fraud, Cyber Crime, Email Interception, Extortion, Forgery, Health Care Fraud, Cellular Phone Fraud, Disaster Relief Fraud, Intellectual Property Theft, Perjury,  Identity Theft, Internet Fraud, Investment Fraud, Pandering, Pyramid Schemes, Racketeering / RICO, Tax Fraud, Telemarketing Fraud and Wire Fraud.

 

Depending on whether Federal or State law has been violated, white collar crimes can be prosecuted at the Federal or State level. A number of Federal agencies including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Secret Service, U.S. Customs, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, participate in the enforcement of Federal white collar crime legislation. In addition, most states employ their own agencies to enforce white collar crime laws at the State level.

 

Our firm has the confidence and experience to deal with Federal and State authorities when it comes to defending individuals and/or corporations against white collar criminal charges. Early intervention in criminal matters, specifically white collar offenses, can  achieve outstanding results.

If you, or someone you know, is facing these charges, contact this office for a free, confidential consultation.