White collar crime is typically defined as a crime that intends to benefit someone financially without the use of force. If you or a loved one has been accused of a white collar crime, a white collar crime lawyer in Glendale from the Simmrin Law Group can help you protect your freedom and/or potentially limit the punishments.
If you’ve been arrested, or if your workplace has been raided by police or federal authorities, try to remember these 3 things:
- Don’t talk to investigators.
- Don’t plead guilty.
- Hire an white collar crimes lawyer.
Even if you’re not the one who has been arrested, you may want to seek legal advice before speaking with local, state, or federal investigators. You could somehow be implicated in the crime and not even know it. In this situation, it does not hurt to seek the advice of our experienced Glendale criminal defense counsel.
Types of White Collar Crime
There are several types of white collar crime cases that we can help you with.
Auto Insurance Fraud
You can be charged with auto insurance fraud if you lied or falsified documents in order to unlawfully collect money from an auto insurance company. The owner of the vehicle (insurance policy owner), an auto mechanic, or a health care provider can all easily commit auto insurance fraud in order to collect money from the insurance company.
The penalties vary based on who committed the fraud, what exactly you’re accused of doing (staging an accident, submitting a false claim, falsifying documents, etc.) Auto insurance fraud laws are very complex, so it’s important to have an experienced lawyer on your side.
Embezzlement
Being accused of embezzlement can be devastating to your career, your reputation, and your family. An experienced white collar defense lawyer may be able to help you beat the charges. The California Penal Code Section 503 defines embezzlement as unlawfully taking (diverting) money that was entrusted to you to benefit yourself.
Penalties range from less than 6 months in jail to 3 years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. It all depends on the individual case and whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony.
Health Care Fraud
Health care fraud means intentionally submitting a false or inflated claim for payment. In most cases, the people investigators target for health care fraud are medical providers including doctors, nurses, therapists, and administrators. It’s important to note that you can be charged with health care fraud if you knew what was going on, but kept your head down and didn’t report it.
Penalties range from less than 6 months in jail to 5 years in jail and a fine of $50,000 or twice the value of the fraud, whichever is larger.
Medi-Cal Fraud
The California state Medi-Cal system helps low income people, seniors, pregnant women, and foster children with affordable health care. Many people try to game the system, but others get confused and make a mistake. Individuals and healthcare providers can commit Medi-Cal fraud.
Penalties depend generally on how much money was involved, and can range from less than a year in jail to 3 years in jail and a fine of $10,000.
Mortgage Fraud
Mortgage fraud is any fraud involving mortgages or mortgage modifications. Property owners, real estate agents, appraisers, mortgage brokers, and loan officers can all face charges of mortgage fraud. Examples of mortgage fraud can include intentionally inflated appraisals, falsified mortgage documents, and more.
Penalties can range from less than a year in jail to 8 years in jail and $10,000 in fines, plus repayment of the defrauded amount.
Probation Violations
Probation violations can undo all of your good behavior since you first started probation. A single probation violation such as a speeding ticket or relapsing on drugs or alcohol can put in jail. You might need an experienced lawyer to help you limit the potential consequences in court.
If you’re convicted of a probation violation, you could face several penalties including:
- If you were given probation instead of jail time, you might have to serve your original sentence.
- If you already served your sentence, you might be given more jail time.
- Or the judge could extend your probation and add more conditions.
Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Both employees and employers can be charged with unemployment insurance fraud. Workers can be charged if they are collecting unemployment benefits they are not entitled to, or they have falsified documents. Employers can be charged if they have tampered with payroll deductions or provided false information.
Penalties range from less than a year in jail and a $20,000 fine to 3 years in state prison and a $20,000 fine. Penalties also include a probation period.
Workers Comp Fraud
Workers Comp fraud is surprisingly common. Workers, employers, and health care providers can all be charged with workers compensation fraud. Workers comp fraud is a very specific fraud charge covered in the California Insurance Code, Section 18.71.4. Only the person who actually committed the fraud should be charged, but sometimes an innocent employee is charged when an employer is charged, and vice versa.
Penalties involve:
- Less than one year in jail, and up to 5 years
- Probation
- Payment of restitution
- Fines of up to $150,000 or twice the amount of fraud, whichever is greater
Federal White Collar Crimes
In addition to the crimes mentioned above, there are white collar crimes that are automatically a federal offense, because they involve federal agencies. They include:
- Bank Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Identity Theft
- Mail Fraud
- Medicare Fraud
- Social Security Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
In federal cases, you would want an experienced federal crimes lawyer to help you navigate the federal court system. We have several on staff to help you.
Talk to a Glendale, CA White Collar Crime Lawyer for Free
If you, a loved one, or a co-worker has been charged with a white collar crime, you need an experienced white collar crime lawyer in Glendale on your side. Call the Simmrin Law Group at 310-997-4688 or use our contact form for a free case evaluation. We’re available to help you anytime, night or day.
