Tacoma White Collar Crime Attorneys

Allow Our Skilled White Collar Crime Defense Team to Help You When You Need It Most

Being charged with a white collar crime can ruin your reputation and potentially end up with you being sentenced to a lengthy prison term. You could also be ordered to pay steep fines and be prohibited from holding a professional license.

Due to the legal complexities involved with white collar crimes, you must have a skilled attorney on your side who will defend your rights and reputation. At South Sound Law Group, our white collar defense attorneys have extensive experience representing clients charged with financial crimes.

If you have been arrested for white-collar crimes or believe you may be under investigation, it is best to hire an attorney immediately. Contact our Tacoma law office today to schedule a free initial consultation, which will allow us to evaluate your case thoroughly.

What are Considered White Collar Crimes?

Under state and federal law, white-collar crimes are considered those that have a financial motive and involve deceit and a violation of trust. Although they are non-violent offenses, they can have a significant financial impact on businesses or investors. White-collar crimes are typically committed in a professional or business setting through fraud or deception to obtain a business advantage, money, or property.

Common examples of white collar crimes include:

• Ponzi schemes
• Insider trading
• Securities fraud
• Bank fraud
• Wire fraud
• Tax evasion
• Tax fraud

Although this is far from a comprehensive list, these types of crimes are aggressively pursued against those who have been accused of committing offenses. State and federal agencies aggressively pursue white collar crimes because they undermine public trust and often have devastating financial repercussions for victims.

What are Some of the Laws in Place That Are Meant to Prevent White Collar Crimes?

Several state and federal laws have been enacted over the years to regulate industries and impose penalties on those who attempt to commit economic crimes and engage in market manipulation.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits U.S. citizens and companies from bribing foreign officials to gain a business advantage. Under the FCPA, U.S. businesses must also maintain accurate records and reporting procedures to ensure compliance.

Bank Secrecy Act

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), also known as the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, requires financial institutions to assist in government investigations aimed at preventing economic crimes and money laundering. Under the BSA, all financial institutions are required to adhere to strict record-keeping requirements to detect fraudulent activity.

False Claims Act

The False Claims Act (FCA) is a federal law that empowers the government to pursue legal action against individuals or companies that attempt to make fraudulent claims, often with the assistance of whistleblowers. The FCA is often used by individuals who wish to report deception and misuse of government contracts and programs, especially in healthcare fraud.

Who Investigates White Collar Crimes?

In Washington, both federal and state agencies are responsible for investigating allegations of white-collar crime. Federal law enforcement agencies like the IRS and FBI investigate federal offenses. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigates market manipulation and insider trading issues.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is another federal agency that provides market oversight. Occasionally, congressional investigations may also be conducted to expose fraud. Many businesses and organizations also conduct internal investigations, and if fraud or abuse is discovered, they turn their findings over to federal law enforcement agencies.

The Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office investigates allegations of state-level fraud and collaborates with multiple investigative agencies when a white-collar crime is suspected.

Criminal investigations that focus on economic crimes usually take time to be analyzed by federal or state agencies. If you have concerns that you are under investigation, your best option is to retain legal representation immediately so your attorney can begin building a solid white collar defense.

What Are Some Legal Defenses Attorneys Use to Fight White Collar Crime Charges?

No one wants to be labeled a white-collar criminal, which can damage their professional reputation. A white collar defense attorney has the skills to evaluate your case and determine the best legal strategies to provide maximum benefits.

Lack of Intent

One of the most common defense strategies is to argue that the client did not intend to commit fraud or use deceptive tactics for financial gain. A knowledgeable attorney can demonstrate that their client’s actions were unintentional and not deliberate.

Insufficient Evidence

The prosecution has the burden of proof and must demonstrate that a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A defense attorney will analyze the evidence to pinpoint flaws in the prosecution’s case and argue that the charges should be dismissed or possibly reduced.

Entrapment

Sometimes, government investigations go too far, and law enforcement officials persuade defendants to commit crimes they would not have done otherwise. An attorney can argue that a case of entrapment should be dismissed.

What are the Penalties for White Collar Crimes?

State and federal courts view white-collar crimes negatively and impose harsh penalties for offenders. Federal prosecutors often seek to make defendants an example to deter others from repeating the same behavior.

Some common penalties for white collar crimes include:

• Bankruptcy fraud: Defendants may be sentenced to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000
• Securities fraud: In Washington state, defendants convicted of securities fraud may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $20,000. Federal courts often impose sentences of up to 20 years in prison and a five-million-dollar fine
• Wire and mail fraud: Wire or mail fraud can result in steep penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for individuals and up to $500,000 for businesses
• Healthcare fraud: Penalties for healthcare fraud can vary, but may result in defendants being sentenced to serve lengthy prison sentences and being ordered to pay steep fines totaling up to $250,000

Whether you are facing state or federal criminal charges, you need an experienced attorney who is unafraid to challenge prosecutors. Our attorneys understand the legal complexities of state and federal rules and know what it takes to get favorable client results.

Does Your White Collar Defense Team Have the Experience It Takes to Help Me Win My Case?

If you have been charged with an economic crime, you need a white-collar defense to protect your freedom and professional reputation. South Sound Law Group has a proven reputation for delivering the high-quality legal services clients need to achieve a favorable outcome in their cases.

When you come to us for help, our dedicated team will professionally evaluate the evidence to identify inconsistencies that we can use as leverage when negotiating with state and federal courts. Our attorneys are not intimidated by prosecutors and will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and freedom.

If you have been charged with a white-collar crime, contact our Tacoma law offices today at 253-465-2722 to schedule a free initial consultation.