Syracuse White Collar Crime Attorney

White-collar crimes may not be as serious as those involving violent conduct, but the penalties can be severe. Suspects can be charged with anything ranging from a simple misdemeanor to a serious felony. A conviction could translate into significant fines and a lengthy prison sentence, among other consequences. This is to say nothing of the potentially irreversible hit that your professional reputation and career will take.

You don’t need just any criminal defense attorneys in your corner. You need a law firm that brings decades of combined experience in criminal investigations and the federal prosecutorial system. Our attorneys represent clients in Syracuse, New York and across the country who have been charged with white-collar crimes, and we understand what it takes to deliver results. Trust the seasoned legal counsel of Oberheiden, P.C. when it comes to criminal defense matters.

Types of Cases We Handle

“White collar crime” broadly includes non-violent conduct such as fraud, money laundering, and certain types of theft. Our white-collar crime attorneys has particular experience representing professionals including doctors, business owners, and executives. We are prepared to represent you at federal court in such matters as:

• Money laundering: Anti-money laundering (AML) laws like the Bank Secrecy Act are intended to prevent financial institutions, investment firms, and similar entities from being used to funnel money into criminal enterprises. Prosecutors generally seek stiff penalties for AML violations and financial crimes.
• Antitrust: Federal antitrust laws are intended to protect consumers by preventing monopolies and anti-competitive business practices. Related crimes include price fixing, bid rigging, and conspiracy to enter into monopolistic or anti-competitive agreements.
• Bank and check fraud: These involve knowingly attempting to defraud a financial institution by use of fraud, misrepresentation, and other illegal means. Examples include altering checks, check kiting, and identity theft.
• Computer and intellectual property crimes: Computer crimes have been rampant since before the digital age, but have worsened in recent years with the advent of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Copyright and trade secret misappropriation are examples of intellectual property crimes.
• Embezzlement: The fraudulent taking of money or property by someone to whom it was entrusted is embezzlement. When federally-insured institutions like banks are involved, federal prosecutors will demand steep criminal punishments.
• Environmental crimes: While environmental violations are often civil in nature, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a Criminal Enforcement Division to prosecute especially egregious activities. Wantonly dumping or improperly disposing of hazardous substances is an example.
• Export/import crimes: Federal agencies like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have jurisdiction over these crimes. Companies and their owners can be punished, for instance, for trafficking illegal items like drugs and weapons.
• Forgery: Falsifying a document with the intent to defraud someone is forgery, and it happens in a variety of contexts. Forging checks, legal instruments, and financial documents will invite federal investigation and prosecution.
• Healthcare fraud: A major component of this category is Medicare and Medicaid fraud, largely due to the sheer size of these programs. Federal authorities may also investigate suspected cases of health insurance fraud.
• Mail and wire fraud: These crimes involve the use of the U.S. Postal Service or electronic means (e.g. internet and cell phones) to commit or attempt to commit fraud. Because both means are commonly used in the commission of crimes, prosecutors frequently bring mail and wire fraud charges against defendants.
• Mortgage fraud: Supplying false or fraudulent records to secure a loan for the purchase of real property is fraud. Examples include income fraud, appraisal fraud, and making fraudulent disclosures.
• Tax evasion: When companies and individuals do not pay the taxes they legitimately owe or file false or fraudulent documents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), investigators often dig deeper for evidence of other, related crimes. Tax preparers can also be caught in a federal investigation.
• U.S. False Claims Act (FCA): The FCA criminalizes the submission of false or fraudulent claims for payment from the U.S. government, including through government contracts and programs like Medicare. The government pays whistleblowers to incentivize those with knowledge of these crimes to step forward.
• U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): In combination with similar laws in other countries, the federal government investigates both domestic companies doing business overseas and foreign countries doing business in the United States. Crimes include illicit offers and transactions involving public officials.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Steps to Take If the Government Contacts You

If federal investigators have contacted you in any way – which may range from written communications to subpoenas and criminal raids – you need to speak with national trial lawyers right away. We strongly recommend that you do not speak with investigators, no matter how incorrect the criminal charges or accusations against you are. Instead, do the following:

• Give our law firm a call immediately
• Once you retain legal representation, only speak with investigators if your attorney advises you to do so
• Tell your employees to only respond to information requests as specifically directed
• Determine whether any internal remedial actions may be necessary, and check with your attorney about implementing them
• Work with us to develop and execute a coordinated defense strategy

Acting early can potentially result in investigations and charges being dropped, while opening important lines of communication with the government. Our firm is proud to have attorneys who have previously worked as federal prosecutors, so we understand what the government is looking for and trying to prove against you and your business. We also know what it takes to resolve cases expeditiously for our clients, where possible. In the event criminal prosecution cannot be avoided, we work to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients and minimize the risk of additional criminal or civil liability.

Contact Our Syracuse White Collar Crime Attorney

Being investigated or even charged with a white collar crime does not mean you are guilty. You have legal options, and we are ready to explore them with you. Put our law firm’s experience to the test. Call or contact Oberheiden, P.C. to schedule your confidential consultation with us today.

Additional Pages for Syracuse, New York

• Syracuse federal criminal defense