Federal white collar crimes in Tulsa, Oklahoma cover a lot of ground. White collar crimes are generally non-violent in nature and tend to involve illegally obtaining money or property.
The FBI usually investigates these crimes, which can include fraud, identity theft, Ponzi schemes, public corruption, and money laundering. Here is some information that you might want to know about federal white collar crimes and how they are handled.
Federal White Collar Crimes: Fraud
Fraud is one of the most prevalent types of white collar crime. It can occur in just about any setting and involve state court and federal court resources. Fraud almost always involves some sort of deceit, concealment, or violation of trust that is used to obtain money, goods, or services.
Corporate Fraud
The Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution allows the prosecution of white collar crimes. Corporate fraud is one of the biggest types of fraud investigated by the FBI. It can include the falsification of financial information by a company, insider trading, misuse of corporate property, and tax evasion.
Corporate fraud can be prosecuted under a number of federal statutes depending on the circumstances. Here are some examples:
- Filing false statements, punishable by up to five years in prison or up to eight years in prison if it involves terrorism. 18 US Code § 1001
- Frauds and swindles; this statute forbids obtaining money under false pretenses. This crime is punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison. 18 US Code § 1341
- Fraud by television, radio or wire. The crime is punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison. If the fraud involves a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency or affects a financial institution, the crime is punishable by a fine of up to $1 million, up to 30 years in prison, or both. 18 US Code § 1343
Defrauding Medicaid or Medicare
Defrauding Medicaid or another government agency is another way this type of crime occurs. This crime can be as simple as lying on an application to receive aid.
However, it can also occur when a healthcare professional bills for treatment that was never given. These matters are covered by the False Claims Act. Filing false claims may result in fines of up to three times the program’s loss plus $11,000 per claim filed. 31 US Code § § 3729-3733
Identity Theft and Aggravated Identity Theft
Identity theft is a growing problem. Hackers use computers and the internet to access the private information of another for their own enrichment or to sell to another. This could be the sale of Social Security numbers or other identifying information that another hacker might use to gain a financial advantage.
For example, when a person posts the Social Security numbers of others on a site where they can be sold, a computer may be involved in first discovering the Social Security numbers and certainly in their sale. An offender may be sentenced up to 15 years in prison. 18 US Code § 1028
Aggravated identity theft is also a federal crime. The statute prohibits a person from knowingly transferring, possessing, or using identifying information belonging to another without authority in connection with a federal law violation or other felony in Tulsa.
When identity theft occurs in this manner, the mandatory minimum sentence is two years in prison.
The law also prohibits such use of identifying information in connection with terrorism offenses. Such a violation is punishable by at least five years in prison. 18 US Code § 1028A
By its nature, the crime of identity theft involves at least two crimes — the identity theft itself and the crime in which the identity theft was used.
In addition, sentences for this crime must be served consecutively rather than concurrently. That means if a person is convicted of two separate crimes, the sentence for the first crime must be fully served before the sentence for the second crime can begin to run.
Federal white collar crimes carry harsh penalties. Get help immediately if you even suspect that you might receive a federal indictment in Tulsa.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Federal Criminal Lawyers
Get the help you need. It’s time to retain a Tulsa criminal defense lawyer who is knowledgeable regarding federal law and procedure and who will look out for your legal interests. Contact a Tulsa criminal attorney at Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation.
A Tulsa defense attorney can advise you on how the process works and offer answers to your specific questions. To begin your free consultation, call 918-256-3400 now.