Fort Lauderdale White Collar Crime Lawyer
Arrests and convictions for financial crimes are surging
The increase in white collar offenses has been attributed to everything from the housing downturn to scandals in the stock market to the economic crisis to computer and communications technology. The FBI has formed a number of groups under its Financial Crimes Section, including the Economic Crimes Unit, the Asset Forfeiture/Money Laundering Unit, the Health Care Fraud Unit, the Forensic Accountant Unit, the Financial Institution Fraud Unit and the Financial Intelligence Center. Contact our Fort Lauderdale white collar crime lawyer for more information.
With vast investigative capabilities on their side, federal prosecutors have plenty of ammunition with which to build a case. Data from the Justice Department shows that there were 659 convictions for fraud and various other white collar crimes in March 2013 alone. If a case is being built against you, Kevin J. Kulik, P.A. can help.
An overview of federal criminal cases prepared by the U.S. Sentencing Commission suggests that most convicted defendants plead guilty. Defending federal white collar crimes requires knowledge of how evidence is collected and how the government develops its cases. It also requires the tenacity to fight for the rights of the accused. Fort Lauderdale white collar crime lawyer Kevin Kulik brings nearly 30 years of experience and a track record of success in countering the government’s evidence for clients across Broward County and throughout Florida.
What is a white collar crime?
The term “white collar crime” was coined in 1939 as a “crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” Today, it is generally defined as a crime committed for financial gain. While it has no element of physical violence, that doesn’t mean there are no victims: An act of white collar crime can cost families or individuals their life savings, homes and property. It can also cost investors billions of dollars and destroy companies.
White collar crime includes:
- Concealing illegal sources of cash through money laundering
- Manufacturing and selling counterfeit goods, including knockoff fashion items, DVDs, branded watches and electronics
- Perpetrating Internet crime by using the Web to commit credit card fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, hacking or phishing
- Other acts of federal financial fraud offenses
If you have deliberately misrepresented your earnings or expenses or have hidden assets from the IRS, you can be prosecuted for tax evasion
Tax evasion is not about making an honest mistake on your return. It is about willfully trying to cheat the government out of what you owe by making fraudulent claims, not filing a tax return, filing a false return or intentionally not paying your taxes.
The IRS goes all out to prosecute tax evaders and punishes those found guilty of tax evasion with fines of up to $100,000 and a sentence of up to five years. Al Capone was eventually taken off the streets for tax evasion — and he spent 11 years in prison for that crime.
Embezzlement costs the public billions each year, and a conviction can cost you 10 years in prison
Embezzlement may be either a state or federal crime. You are prosecuted under federal law if you steal property or money from the federal government directly, or if you steal property or money from a private entity that was paid for by the U.S. government or from any financial institution insured by the FDIC. If you are convicted and are fined $250,000 or more, you are guilty of a felony and may be incarcerated for anywhere from one to ten years.
Are you an official being investigated for public corruption?
If you have been charged with public corruption for extortion, bribery, kickbacks or other federal frauds, you already know what it is like to receive unwelcome media attention and have your family exposed to name-calling — or worse. At Kevin J. Kulik, P.A. we understand the need for discretion and a good public relations presence as much as we do the need to mount an ironclad legal defensive strategy. Our Fort Lauderdale white collar crime lawyers make sure your rights are protected in the court of public opinion.
We uphold your right to a solid defense
We have fought the feds and won. If your rights, reputation and freedom are jeopardized by a federal financial crimes charge, we can help. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with Kevin J. Kulik, P.A., please contact us online or call us at 954-761-9411. We are centrally located in Fort Lauderdale’s River Walk zone but can arrange to meet you offsite or after hours, when necessary. Our Fort Lauderdale white collar crime lawyers can help.
