Long Island White Collar Crime Attorney Serving Suffolk & Nassau Counties

If you or someone you love was accused of a white collar crime in New York, it’s important to retain an experienced Long Island white collar crime attorney as soon as possible to protect your freedom and defend your rights. Schedule a free consultation and let our nearly three decades of experience work for you.

White collar crime is a phrase that encompasses many different types of criminal activity. Typically, white collar crimes are illegal actions that involve dishonesty. The primary motive is generally financial gain.

Increasingly, state and federal prosecutors use regulations and laws to put businesses and individuals under enormous scrutiny. This is happening in almost every industry.

Individuals in insurance companies, financial institutions, healthcare corporations, and individual entrepreneurs have all faced accusations of this type of crime. To avoid conviction, securing the services of a white collar crime attorney is crucial.

If you have been accused of fraudulence in Nassau or Suffolk counties, do not wait. Contact the white collar crime attorneys at The Matera Law Firm. Our skilled attorneys have more than 25 years of combined legal experience.

Do not take charges of white collar crime lightly. In many cases, a conviction could result in steep fines or prison time. The legal team at The Matera Law Firm can effectively defend the rights of those who have been accused of white collar crime.

Allegations of white collar crimes can be incredibly complex. It is important to find a white collar crime attorney who knows how to build a powerful defense.

Hiring the right attorney can protect your business and personal interests. Contact The Matera Law Firm for a free initial consultation.

How Can Criminal Allegations Affect My Business?

When you have been accused of a white collar crime, it can cause many difficulties within your professional and personal life. Even the perception of impropriety can do irreparable damage to your company’s reputation.

Businesses cannot afford to let authorities and regulators push them around. It is important to respond aggressively to allegations of white collar crimes.

Because these cases often involve financial and organizational complexity, it is vital to consult with skilled white collar crime attorneys. It can take time to collect all of the relevant evidence to build your defense.

For many companies and individuals, criminal charges can ruin business relationships and public standing. This can happen even if you are acquitted of any criminal charges.

In many cases, prolonged investigations happen before charges are filed. Speaking with a knowledgeable white collar crime attorney may help you to avoid charges altogether. A proactive approach is necessary when you are facing criminal accusations.

The experts at The Matera Law Firm have plenty of experience in defending the rights of our clients. We know the difficulties that people face because of baseless allegations. Contact us today to begin building an effective defense.

What Are Some Common White Collar Crime Charges?

White collar crimes vary in nature. Many specific charges fall under the umbrella of white collar crimes. However, these types of charges tend to involve deceit or fraudulence. With the rise of modern technology, many crimes are committed digitally.

Some common examples of white collar crimes include:

Securities Fraud

There are many different subcategories of securities fraud. A typical example is insider trading.

Insider trading occurs when someone has private information about a business or investment and uses that information to their financial advantage. Oftentimes, the perpetrator will use the information in violation of their professional obligations or duties.

Suppose that a senior executive at a corporation is aware of an upcoming financial report for the company. The report entails a belief that the company’s stock will decrease in value in the coming months.

If the executive decides to sell shares of their stock for private financial gain, it would qualify as securities fraud. Specifically, this would be a case of insider trading.

Another type of securities fraud occurs when someone misleads an investor to secure finances or capital. If a person misrepresents a business’s finances or prospects to lure in investments, it would qualify as securities fraud.

Other Types of Fraud

There are other types of white collar fraud, as well. Insurance and mortgage fraud are some of the most common forms of white collar fraud.

Mortgage fraud has been increasing in recent years. In 2019, one study found that one in every 123 mortgage applications contained fraudulent information.

Insurance fraud occurs when an individual or business entity lies to increase their insurance policy reimbursement. Insurance fraud can also involve systemic schemes to defraud consumers, vendors, and more.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement occurs when an individual:

• Possesses another person’s property in a lawful manner;
• Takes or converts that property for their own benefit; and
• Does not intend to return the property to its rightful owner

For instance, suppose that an employee of a business secretly transfers company funds into a personal bank account for their own private use. This constitutes embezzlement. Most cases of embezzlement involve someone that has been entrusted with valuable assets, such as an employee or business leader.

Money Laundering

This crime occurs when someone siphons money that was gained through criminal activity through a seemingly legitimate business or another channel. The goal of money laundering is to make it seem as if the money were earned in a lawful manner by concealing its source.

In New York state, there are a wide variety of possible consequences for a money laundering conviction. There are different degrees of money laundering charges, as well.

The least severe (fourth-degree money laundering) carries a sentence of four years in prison at most. The most severe (first-degree money laundering) carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

White collar crime allegations are incredibly serious. If you are facing an allegation of wrongdoing, consult with a white collar crime attorney as soon as possible.

Tax Evasion and Tax Fraud

White collar tax evasion occurs when an individual or business intentionally attempts to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Perpetrators may use a range of strategies when they are attempting to evade taxes.

The simplest example of tax evasion happens when the perpetrator provides fraudulent information on their required tax forms. However, tax fraud can also be much more complex and intricate.

For instance, companies may underreport their revenue to avoid paying taxes on their income. This often happens with businesses that deal primarily in cash.

In more complex cases, an individual or business may improperly transfer property or assets to avoid the taxes they owe. It is important to note that making a mistake when you file your taxes is not grounds for a tax fraud or tax evasion charge.

If you or your business is facing a charge of tax evasion, speaking with an accomplished white collar attorney can help to secure the best outcome in your case.

At The Matera Law Firm, we understand the seriousness of white collar crime allegations. Criminal accusations can destroy your reputation and damage your professional prospects.

Contact a White Collar Attorney at The Matera Law Firm

If you are facing a white collar criminal charge in Long Island, it is crucial to secure competent legal representation. At The Matera Law Firm, our team of accomplished attorneys will fight effectively for you.

We employ former prosecutors, which gives us a unique advantage when defending those accused of criminal activity. Do not let your reputation be ruined because of false allegations. Contact the best white collar crime attorneys in Long Island.

An experienced white collar crime attorney at The Matera Law Firm knows what it takes to undermine accusations of white collar crime. With nearly three decades of combined experience, our attorneys can secure a positive outcome in your case. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.