Non-violent criminal activity, usually involving financial offenses, is often called “white collar crime.” When the public hears this term, they often think of high-profile cases where wealthy offenders end up with slap-on-the-wrist penalties for their misdeeds, like paying minimal fines or ending up in “resort prison” at the very worst. But for everyday citizens charged with these types of crimes, the reality is much, much harsher. White collar crimes are serious crimes, and in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, they come with serious penalties.
Just as impactful, being charged with a white collar crime can ruin your reputation and affect both your professional and your personal life long before the case ever goes to trial. Even if you're never convicted, simply being charged with certain crimes could cost you your professional license or even your career.
If you are facing charges of committing white collar crime in Allegheny County, the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is ready to help protect your rights and your reputation. Contact us today at 888.535.3686 or connect with us online for your confidential consultation.
What Is White Collar Crime in Allegheny County?
White collar crimes generally have financial motives—embezzlement, fraud, forgery, or other ways of illegally gaining money. In Allegheny County, as in the rest of Pennsylvania, these crimes can be either misdemeanors or felonies depending on their severity and other circumstances. Common white collar crimes include:
- Various types of fraud
- Embezzlement or theft by deception
- Identity theft
- Forgery
- Deceptive business practice
- Writing bad checks
Let's take a closer look at what constitutes each of these offenses.
Fraud in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania differentiates fraud into several categories, including:
- Access Device Fraud: More commonly known as credit card fraud, this charge encompasses using any access device— meaning credit cards, debit cards, bank/ATM cards, account numbers, PIN numbers, or any other means of account access—to fraudulently obtain money, goods, services, or anything else of value. This crime can be classified as a second-degree misdemeanor, first-degree misdemeanor, or third-degree felony depending on the value of the money or property obtained. Convicted offenders could face up to seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines.
- Insurance Fraud: This charge covers knowingly deceiving a government agency, insurer, broker, or a self-insured party in order to illegally gain something of value. This includes automobile insurance fraud, homeowners insurance fraud, health care fraud, and more. Insurance fraud is generally charged as a third-degree felony, though in some cases it can be lowered to a first-degree misdemeanor.
- Food Stamp Fraud: Whether you under-report your income or over-report the size of your family, collecting benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to which you were not entitled is a type of fraud. Business owners who exchange money, alcohol, or cigarettes for SNAP benefits can also be charged with committing food stamp fraud. This type of fraud can be charged as anything from a third-degree misdemeanor up to a third-degree felony.
- PPP Loan Fraud: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government issued a series of forgivable loans as part of the Paycheck Protection Program. Unfortunately, many businesses falsified their applications to illegally obtain more PPP money than they were entitled to. PPP loan fraud is a federal offense, possibly involving several different crimes, and the penalties can be severe.
Whether you've been charged with one of the above types of fraud or something not listed here, the LLF Law Firm knows how to help. We will make sure your side of the case gets heard, with witness testimony and other evidence to support your defense.
Identity Theft in Allegheny County
Identity theft is a specific type of fraud that involves possessing or using another person's identifying information without their consent. Each time this offense allegedly takes place, it counts as a separate offense. Examples of personally identifying information that would constitute identity theft include, but are not limited to:
- Name
- Birth Date
- Social Security Number
- Driver's License Number
- Non-Driver Governmental Identification Number
- Telephone Number
- Checking Account Number
- Savings Account Number
The penalties for identity theft in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, range from a first-degree misdemeanor with up to five years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines to a second-degree felony with up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. The severity is determined by the amount of money, property, or services obtained and whether the alleged offender has been previously convicted of this offense.
Embezzlement in Allegheny County
Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of money or property by a person entrusted with the care or management of said property. It usually involves a person taking advantage of their position or access in order to steal from a business or employer, often over a period of time. Pennsylvania law does not have a statute specifically referring to embezzlement, but it does consider this type of theft by deception to be a serious form of financial crime.
Depending on the value of the money or goods stolen, charges can range from a summary offense carrying a maximum of 90 days in jail up to a third-degree felony with seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines.
Pennsylvania has even harsher penalties for specific types of embezzlement, including the theft of specified types of property or theft committed during a time of disaster. These can be prosecuted as second-degree felonies with up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.
Tampering with Records
Pennsylvania law defines tampering with records as falsifying, destroying, removing, or concealing any writing, record, distinguishing mark, brand, or other identification with intent to deceive, injure, or conceal wrongdoing. It also states that the offender must know that he or she has no privilege to take such actions. Tampering with records is punishable by up to five years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.
A lesser version of this crime exists for knowingly buying, selling, or moving in commerce any personal property from which the manufacturer's name plate, serial number, or any other distinguishing number or identification mark has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed. Such actions are treated as a summary offense carrying a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail.
Forgery in Pennsylvania
Forgery is a type of crime related to falsifying documentation or other writing with the intent to defraud or injure someone. This includes altering writing without the authority to do so, making or issuing any writing that purports to be the act of another who did not authorize that act, such as falsifying legal documents. Forgery in Pennsylvania can be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, third-degree felony, or second-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.
Passing Bad Checks
Bad checks are a specific type of white collar crime targeting those who knowingly attempt to pass a check or similar sight order for money, knowing that it will not be honored by the drawee. Bad checks with a value of less than $200 are treated as a summary offense with a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail. Bad checks with a value over $75,000 are treated as third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines.
Consequences for White Collar Crimes in Allegheny County, PA
The penalties for white collar crimes depend heavily on the value of the money, goods, or other services obtained via the crime, as well as whether the alleged offender has a previous criminal history. Most of these crimes will fall between a third-degree misdemeanor and a second-degree felony. These are all serious criminal charges that will go on your criminal record.
If you are convicted of a white collar crime, there will be other consequences on top of the punitive measures issued by the court. Your personal or business reputation could be left in tatters. You could lose your job and find it extremely difficult to find new employment, especially in the same line of work. If you're convicted of a felony, you'll lose your right to vote, your right to own firearms, and more. A conviction could even impact your ability to keep custody of your children.
That's why it's important that you take any white collar crime accusations seriously and meet them with the best possible defense.
Allegheny County's White Collar Crime Lawyers
If you're facing charges of white collar crime in Allegheny County, the LLF Law Firm can help defend your rights and preserve your reputation. Whether you're in Pittsburgh, Monroeville, McKeesport, Duquesne, or anywhere else in the County, call us today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to schedule your confidential consultation. There's simply too much at stake to trust your defense to anyone else.
