In October 2024, PA Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that she would pursue charges against a Philadelphia man for seeking fraudulent tax refunds. This alleged tax refund fraud scheme involved making online deposits to an individual tax account with stolen bank account information and then seeking tax refunds of these funds with the state. The Defendant is charged with numerous "white collar" crimes, including theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, access device fraud, and identity theft.

If you are charged with fraud or other 'white-collar' crime, you need defense counsel experienced in these crimes. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is here to defend your life, freedom, and reputation. We understand the complexities of "white collar" and fraud crimes. Call the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and we will promptly contact you.

White Collar Crimes and Fraud

"White-collar" crimes are nonviolent offenses involving alleged financial misconduct or fraud. These charges may be filed under either Pennsylvania state law or as federal crimes for mail or wire fraud. Mail and wire fraud can apply to various alleged violations, including consumer fraud, stock or securities fraud, bribery or kickbacks, swindles involving elderly victims, or insurance fraud.

Under Pennsylvania law, white-collar crimes include:

• Identity theft.
• Credit card fraud.
• Theft by deception.
• Access device theft.
• Embezzlement.
• Insurance fraud.
• Forgery.
• Other fraud crimes.

Whether white-collar crimes are charged under federal or state law, they often involve long prison sentences and significant fines.

Penalties for White Collar or Fraud Crimes

Pennsylvania punishes fraud crimes as up to second-degree felonies, which can lead to a 10-year prison sentence. Federal penalties are even steeper, with wire or mail fraud punishable by up to 20 years in prison and potentially 30 years if the fraud involves a bank.

Defenses to White-Collar Crimes

If you are charged with a white-collar crime, you may feel the urge to panic and make a hasty decision against your interests. However, many accusations of white-collar crime are unfounded or difficult to prove. You have defenses, including:

• Mistake.
• Lack of Intent.
• Statute of limitations.
• Illegally obtained evidence.
• Puffery or exaggeration used by salespeople.

Discussing your case with an experienced white-collar crime attorney is critical. Even if the allegations involve tax evasion or other financial crimes, you have a defense, and you need to hire an attorney who understands this.

If you have been accused of a white-collar crime or have been arrested, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The LLF Law Firm has a decade of experience defending people accused of white-collar crime in Pennsylvania. Whether you are in Philadelphia County or elsewhere in the Keystone State, we can aggressively defend you. Let the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team defend your freedom and good name. Call us at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online, and we will promptly contact you.