Another word for white collar crime is “fraud.” Auto insurance fraud, workers compensation fraud, and unemployment fraud are all examples of white collar crimes. These are all crimes that, if convicted in the state of California, can have unforeseeable negative impacts on your life and future going forward. Find out below how our white collar crime lawyers in Santa Clarita approach these cases.
Auto Insurance Fraud
Auto insurance fraud occurs when someone knowingly makes a fraudulent insurance claim to an auto insurance company with the intent to defraud the company. Such fraud can be committed by anyone from the owner of the car to a repair shop that is working on the car.
Auto insurance fraud can include:
- Faking an accident to defraud an insurer.
- Making some sort of false claim (such as lying about living in a different city or state for a cheaper auto insurance rate).
- Creating or signing a document that supports a false claim.
Depending on the fraud committed, you could be looking at a felony or misdemeanor carrying up to five years in prison. Give yourself a fighting chance against such a charge by hiring an experienced white collar crime lawyer to manage your legal defense.
For a free legal consultation with a white collar crime lawyer serving Santa Clarita, call (310) 896-2723
Embezzlement
In Santa Clarita, someone can be found guilty of embezzlement if he is trusted with someone else’s property but keeps it for himself with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. For example, someone who is entrusted with charitable funds can be found guilty of embezzlement if, instead of donating the money to the intended charity, he keeps it for himself and buys a car with it.
An embezzlement charge involving property worth less than $950 may be treated as a petty theft charge and prosecuted as a misdemeanor. However, those who embezzle $950 or more may be looking at a grand theft charge, which can be treated as either a felony or a misdemeanor.
Either way, an embezzlement charge can be punished with fines, jail time, and probation. An experienced white collar crime lawyer can help you fight these charges and possibly avoid jail or prison time.
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Health Care Fraud and Medi-Cal Fraud
You can be charged with health care fraud if you submit a false claim to a health insurance company with the goal of receiving an undeserved payout. Health care fraud can be treated as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the dollar amount.
Medi-Cal fraud is similar to health care fraud. In the state of California, Medi-Cal is a program that offers free insurance to those who qualify. Users or providers who abuse this program can be charged with Medi-Cal fraud, which can be treated as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
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Mortgage Fraud
Mortgage fraud is committed when a person lies on his or her mortgage application in order to secure the mortgage, or to obtain a larger mortgage than that which would have been lent if the buyer had told the truth. Depending on the circumstances, mortgage fraud can be prosecuted as:
- Wire fraud
- Bank fraud
- Money laundering
- Mail fraud
Mortgage fraud is taken very seriously in the state of California and can be punished with up to 30 years in prison. This is not a charge you should be facing alone. Our lawyers at the Simmrin Law Group can help you fight these charges and potentially negotiate a plea.
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Probation Violations
A person can be charged with a probation violation if s/he fails to fulfill the obligations agreed to under the terms of his or her probation. Such violations can include:
- Failing to complete a court-ordered program.
- Failing to show up for a scheduled court date.
- Possessing, selling, or using illicit substances.
- Not reporting as directed to your probation officer.
- Traveling out of state before getting permission from your probation officer.
- Getting arrested for an additional offense.
Probation violations can come with severe consequences, not the least of which being more time in prison. You can fight these charges with the help of one of our Santa Clarita white collar crime lawyers.
Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Unemployment insurance is provided as a means of income to those who are out of work and looking for a job. Unemployment insurance fraud is committed when people abuse the system in some way. For instance, working while collecting unemployment insurance and inaccurately reporting your earnings counts as fraud. This includes working “off the books” while still collecting unemployment.
Those who commit unemployment insurance fraud could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony that carries a penalty of up to 3 years in state prison.
Workers Comp Fraud
Worker’s compensation is monies provided to those who were injured on the job. If someone claims a false injury or makes a false statement pertaining to an injury with the intent to collect workers compensation benefits, such actions can be prosecuted as fraud. Such a charge can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony and can carry a sentence of up to 5 years in jail.
Facing a White-Collar Charge? Call Us!
Our Santa Clarita criminal defense lawyers have decades of experience fighting white collar crime charges like the one you’re facing right now. Our white collar criminal defense lawyers would be more than happy to answer your questions, and you are ultimately under no obligation to retain us.
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