Charlottesville White Collar Criminal Lawyer

What are White Collar Crimes?

White collar crimes include offenses such as antitrust, healthcare fraud, medicare fraud, fraud, tax evasion, securities violations, money laundering, embezzlement, bribery, public corruption, theft of trade secrets, economic espionage, alcohol and firearms violations, and environmental crimes generally committed in commercial settings by individuals or corporations for financial gain.

White collar crimes are punishable under various federal statutes, including the Bank Secrecy Act, the False Claims Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970, the Securities Act and Securities Exchange Act, the Sherman Act, and the Tax Code, as well as environmental statutes, intellectual property statutes, and numerous provisions of the Federal Criminal Code. These statutes are enforced by a number of federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Trade Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the Secret Service, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Penalties for violations of these statutes may be significant and may include terms of imprisonment, fines, home detention, forfeiture, restitution, and supervised release.

Given the high stakes involved, it is imperative that individuals facing criminal white collar charges choose an attorney with the knowledge and experience necessary to defend such a case. We fight hard to enforce the rights of our clients, and we believe in the integrity of that fight.

Recent Cases

• Advised a financial advisor being investigated by federal prosecutors as well as the SEC and FINRA
• Defended a business executive falsely accused of criminal bribery of a public official
• Defended a business executive falsely accused of immigration fraud
• Advised fellow lawyers on how to best present and preserve for appeal key constitutional issues to avoid prison for their clients
• Represented a physician falsely accused by prosecutors of Medicare “upcoding fraud”
• Represented a financial professional accused of operating and conspiring to operate with others an international Ponzi scheme
• Represented a university student facing alleged honor code violations and before a federal grand jury
• Represented a public school administrator accused of embezzlement
• Represented a university student called as a material witness before a federal grand jury
• Defending a university administrator accused of offenses involving cocaine use and obstruction of justice

What Should You Do if You Receive a Target Letter?

If a federal prosecutor sends you a target letter, that means that at least one federal prosecutor, and likely several federal agents, believe that you probably have committed a crime. It also probably means that they intend to prosecute you for it, or at least squeeze you until you “flip” and assist them to prosecute someone else. You need to call an attorney immediately!

You definitely should not talk with the federal agents who are investigating you or testify to a grand jury before you have obtained representation. Your statements can be used against you, and many federal agents are very good at getting you to make statements that hurt you. You should only communicate with the government through your attorney or with the attorney’s assistance.

Contact Us

If you are facing criminal allegations, we are prepared to stand up for your rights. Call us today at (434) 972-9600 or contact us online.