White-Collar Defense Lawyer

White-collar crimes, or corporate crimes, refer to financially motivated, nonviolent offenses committed by businesses or government professionals. The term was first defined by the sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939 as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation.” 

Types of white-collar crimes

Many financial offenses are considered “white-collar crimes,” including but not limited to the following:

• Securities and investment fraud
• Bank fraud
• Wire fraud
• Insider trading
• False accounting entries or misrepresentation of financial condition
• Misuse of corporate property for personal gain
• Tax violations
• Embezzlement
• Accounting fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Healthcare fraud
• Identity theft
• Intellectual property theft
• Money laundering
• Credit card fraud
• Cybercrimes
• Counterfeiting
• Corporate espionage

The right defense lawyer matters.

Being charged with a crime is a frightening and potentially life-altering experience. It is imperative that you have a talented, experienced white-collar criminal defense lawyer to guide you through the legal process. The skills, knowledge, and resources provided by your attorney can profoundly affect the outcome of your case. If you believe you are under investigation by the government or have been charged with or convicted of a financial crime, please contact Hickey & Chung LLC today to arrange for a free initial consultation.

FBI investigations and white-collar crimes

The FBI engages in extensive and thorough investigations into white-collar crimes, some of which may take years before charges are filed. Corporate fraud is one of the FBI’s highest priorities, and the agency is focused on cases involving accounting schemes, self-dealing by corporate executives, and cases of obstruction of justice. The FBI reports that the majority of the fraud cases they are pursuing are related to various types of accounting schemes that alter the true financial condition of a corporate entity. 

You may first become aware that you are the target of an investigation into illegal corporate activities when contacted by the FBI or other federal or state investigatory agency. It is imperative that you do not agree to any interviews without ensuring you have the protection of a defense attorney to defend your rights and interests. 

Charged with a financial crime? Contact Hickey & Chung LLP in San Francisco

Legal representation by our legal team at Hickey & Chung LLP can make a profound difference in the outcome of your case. Our attorneys are experienced in federal court and talented litigators. They have access to professional resources that will be needed to challenge the prosecutor’s case against you, including PIs, financial consultants, tax advisors, cyber experts, and others. These offenses are typically document-heavy and require an in-depth evaluation and review of all evidence to identify the areas that could be fruitful in developing a strategic defense case. 

The law under which a white-collar crime is filed will reflect whether the offense is alleged to be a property crime, financial crime, or other corporate crime, such as environmental and health and safety law violations. Some offenses are only possible due to the identity of the offender. For example, a transnational money laundering case will require the participation of senior officers in banks. The FBI has adopted the narrow approach, defining white-collar crime as “those illegal acts which are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust and which are not dependent upon the application or threat of physical force or violence” (1989, 3). While the true extent and cost of white-collar crime are unknown, the FBI and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimate the annual cost to the United States to fall between $300 and $660 billion.