Soroka & Associates in Columbus

Columbus White-Collar Crime Lawyers

Skilled representation for Central Ohio financial crime defendants

White-collar criminal charges are complex and require a sophisticated defense. With many white-collar crimes, a strong defense requires an extensive review of financial and banking records. If charged with a white-collar crime, it is imperative to get an experienced defense attorney on your side immediately. These types of cases require a strategic and skilled legal team to advocate for you.

Soroka & Associates, LLC is a firm that understands white-collar crime defense cases on both the state and federal levels. We handle trials and post-conviction relief. Call our Columbus office today to set up your free consultation with one of our criminal defense lawyers, who are known for skillful, tough advocacy. We handle a wide range of white-collar crime cases.

What is a white-collar crime?

According to the FBI, the term “white-collar crime” started in 1939. The term generally refers to businesses and government professionals, as opposed to blue-collar laborers. White-collar crimes involve deceit, violations of trust, and concealment. They generally involve money or valuable assets to obtain a business or personal advantage. White-collar crimes do not require force, though force can be used in the advancement of one.

Victims are normally families or companies. The schemes are becoming more sophisticated with time.

White-collar crimes include many different types of financial fraud, including Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, advance fee fraud, commodities fraud, market manipulation, embezzlement, counterfeiting, gambling, securities fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, and promissory note fraud.

White-collar crimes also include corporate fraud, falsifying financial information, and self-dealing by corporate insiders such as insider trading or tax violations.

What types of white-collar crime cases does your Columbus law firm handle?

We represent white-collar criminals who are accused of corruption at the federal level (RICO) or the state level (Engaging in Pattern of Corrupt Activity Act).

Both laws now focus on a broad range of crimes involving groups of people, entities (rackets) to structure the criminal activity, and other related criminal activity. In addition to various types of fraud, RICO and Ohio’s corruption law are now being applied to:

  • Crimes of violence such as murder, homicide, and terrorism
  • Crimes involving force or undue pressure such as bribery and extortion
  • Drug crimes
  • Crimes to influence the justice system
  • Dealing in obscene materials
  • Arson and various robbery offenses

At Soroka & Associates, our criminal defense lawyers also represent defendants accused of different types of financial fraud, including:

Money laundering. The offense of money laundering occurs when an individual or company receives money obtained in illegal activities and then takes steps to make it appear such funds were generated by legitimate and honest business activities. These actions are considered a form of fraudulent activity and may carry serious prison terms.

Mortgage fraud. Mortgage fraud has been on the rise in recent years, and has become one of the most frequently occurring forms of white-collar crime. Mortgage fraud involves any and all misrepresentations, misstatements, and/or omissions in attempting to secure a property or property loan. Both individuals and/or industry professionals can be charged with mortgage fraud when misrepresentations are made in an effort to secure a property loan or obtain a profit from the sale.

Health care fraud. Health care fraud is a broad term and encompasses numerous criminal acts by individuals and entities such as pharmacies, hospitals, and diagnostic facilities. Typical charges for health care fraud include the following activities:

  • Performing unnecessary medical procedure on patients
  • Overcharging and falsely charging patients, insurance providers, Medicare, and/or CareSource
  • Failing to perform a medical procedure but providing documentation and billing the patient as if the procedure was actually performed
  • Illegal payments of “kickbacks” to other medical entities for patient referrals.

Mail fraud. Mail fraud occurs when an individual utilizes the United States mail system in order to illegally obtain money and/or property from another individual. Mail fraud is a federal offense and encompasses a number of various criminal acts under its umbrella. These criminal offenses share common characteristics of misrepresentations or false statements in an effort to obtain money from an individual. Even when the utilization of the United States mail system is only a small part of the criminal activity, an individual can still be charged with mail fraud in the federal system.

Wire fraud. These charges are brought against an individual or business that has used a variety of means of electronic communications to defraud another individual of money and/or property. The penalties for wire fraud depend greatly on whether the violation affects an individual or a banking institution, and on the amount of money or property involved.

Credit card fraud. This type of fraud can involve a variety of criminal acts that range from unauthorized use of another person’s credit card to large operations in which credit card information is stolen via mail or the internet. Credit card fraud includes:

  • Opening accounts using stolen credit card information and/or via identity theft
  • Making purchases with another person’s credit card without their authorization
  • Applying for a credit card or line of credit using another’s personal information
  • Stealing credit card information via the internet

Embezzlement. This crime occurs when an individual or entity misappropriates funds belonging to another individual or entity for their own benefit. The proof of embezzlement typically is financial records. The amount of money involved in the embezzlement determines the severity of the penalties.

Conspiracy. Conspiracy is when two or more people formulate a plan to commit a crime. Two or more people who come to a mutual understanding to commit a crime become willingly and knowingly involved in the conspiracy, and take overt action to carry out the conspiracy. The success of the plan can be irrelevant to the charges. Conspiracy requires a minimum of two individuals, but there is no limit on the number of individuals involved.

What are the penalties for white-collar crimes in Columbus?

The penalties for white-collar crimes are quite severe. Most crimes will result in lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. If convicted, a defendant may lose the right to vote and own firearms. They may have to forfeit their professional licenses. Defendants will normally be required to return or pay for any illegal profits or gains. On release from prison, white-collar defendants may have a very difficult time finding employment or a place to live.

How can your Columbus white-collar crime defense lawyers help my case?

There are numerous defenses that our Columbus white-collar defense lawyers can assert on your behalf. The precise defenses depend on the criminal charges and the facts of your case. Some of the common defenses in white-collar crime cases are:

  • Lack of specific intent. We often argue, for applicable crimes, that you did not intend to defraud the victims.
  • Lack of knowledge. Defendants may argue that they weren’t aware of a criminal scheme or that they weren’t aware of the full scope of the scheme.
  • Violation of your Constitutional rights. These include illegal searches and seizures and forcing you to incriminate yourself.

Other defenses include arguing that there is a reasonable doubt, police misconduct, entrapment, and other defenses.

Do you have a white-collar defense lawyer near me?

Our Columbus office is located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205. We’re happy to give you directions. We can also meet defendants who are in custody.

Facing an investigation or arrest? Let us protect your rights

The Columbus criminal defense attorneys at Soroka & Associates is ready to defend you against federal and state white-collar crime charges. Enforcement agencies have a tremendous amount of resources at their disposal to pursue you. Do not face them alone. We are ready to provide a strong defense. Call 614-358-6525 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio, including in Licking County, Delaware County, Fairfield County, and beyond.