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Financial Crimes Defense Lawyer in New York, NY

No matter what type of criminal charges you may be faced with, I can defend your rights and your future.

Attorney Peter Katz

New York Financial Crimes Defense Attorney

A financial crime may be committed by an individual or a criminal organization. You may feel confused and worried if you have been accused of a financial crime. With the impact a financial crime has on our country’s financial structure, the government does not go lightly on offenders.

Peter Katz has successfully represented countless clients accused of financial crimes. If you are under investigation for a financial crime, please contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation.

Financial crimes involve any type of criminal activity that exploits financial systems for economic benefits We have experience representing clients charged with the following offenses:

Aggravated Identity Theft

Aggravated identity theft is the act of intentionally stealing someone else’s identifying information without their permission through fraud or deception for your own economic gain. Under New York Penal Code §190.80, aggravated identity theft is a class D felony, punishable by seven years in New York State Prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.

If you are in violation of federal law, you will be sentenced to a mandatory two years in prison, with potential incarceration of 15 years. If the theft was committed as an act of terrorism, then you may be incarcerated for 30 years. In lieu of jail time, you may be fined, or you may be both imprisoned and fined.

Potential defenses for identity theft include authorization (you had permission to use that person’s information), you committed an act without intending the consequences (lack of intent), and insufficient evidence.

Embezzlement

A person who steals funds entrusted to them but intended to benefit another individual is guilty of embezzlement. This can occur if a trustee steals money from a trust or an employee steals money from an organization.

Under New York law, if the embezzled property is greater than $1,000, you may be sentenced to four years in prison, a fine of $5,000 or twice the amount of embezzled funds (whichever is greater), or potentially both imprisonment and a fine. You may be imprisoned for ten years, fined, or both at the federal level. If the embezzled funds do not exceed $1,000, the charge is reduced to a misdemeanor, with a maximum of one year in jail and a potential fine.

Even if you are charged for embezzlement, that does not automatically mean you will be convicted. If you believe you took the money legally or did not intend to steal the funds, you may be able to develop a compelling argument that negates your culpability.

Money Laundering

Money laundering is the crime of making “dirty” money appear “clean.” Basically, it allows criminals who have earned money through illegitimate sources to conceal the true source of the revenue. Money laundering allows individuals to accumulate wealth, avoid prosecution, and avoid paying taxes.

In recent years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has focused its efforts on stopping money launderers. If you are convicted in state court, you may be sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of probation. Under the New York Penal Code §470.25, a defendant may be fined twice the amount of the laundered funds.

If you are convicted in federal court, you could be sentenced to 20 years in prison, fined $500,000, or twice the amount of laundered funds (whichever is greater), or potentially jailed and fined.

While there is no denying money laundering charges are serious, placing doubt in the jurors’ minds is often enough to get these charges dropped or dismissed. Typical legal defenses for money laundering include lack of intent and insufficient evidence.

Relentless Advocacy from a New York Financial Crimes Attorney

If you have been accused of a financial crime, panic is unnecessary. At the Law Offices of Peter Katz, no matter how minor or serious the charge, we are committed to helping you walk away free. If you have been formally charged or are under investigation for a criminal financial offense, we would like to hear from you. To learn more or to schedule your free consultation, contacus by completing the online contact form.

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