The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Act) was passed in 1970 with the aim of eradicating organized crime. It focuses on “racketeering,” which comes to us from the Prohibition-era phrase, “running rackets.” However, the RICO Act is not limited...
Proving that someone has broken federal drug trafficking laws can be challenging. The standard of proof is high and the evidence connecting an individual to each of the elements is often too flimsy to convince a jury. At the same time, however, you can serve serious...
Bankruptcy fraud occurs when an individual doesn't represent accurate information when filing for bankruptcy. It can also happen when someone files for bankruptcy to deceive creditors. According to Bankruptcy Code, 18 U.S.C, if the U.S Department of Justice finds you...
When discussing white-collar crimes, things like embezzlement and tax evasion are often at the top of the list. A less-talked-about form of white-collar crime, however, is healthcare fraud. Understanding exactly what healthcare fraud is, who might engage in it, and...
Many defendants first find out that they are facing white-collar charges when they receive an indictment via certified mail from the U.S. Attorney's Office. A copy of the indictment is generally accompanied by a letter letting the defendant know of their upcoming...
Under Missouri state law, people can be prosecuted for a variety of computer crimes. These include tampering with computer data, tampering with computer users or tampering with computer equipment. But what constitutes a federal computer crime? How does prosecution...
The United States government requires all citizens to file a federal income tax annually. However, if your annual income does not exceed a certain threshold, you might not be obliged to file a return. Non-residents may also file U.S. tax returns depending on their...
Most people conduct their business above board. Yet, the lure of easy money can cause otherwise upstanding folks to engage in shady dealings. Through no fault of your own, you may have found yourself involved in a scheme and are now facing federal racketeering...
People make mistakes on their taxes all the time. Most people have very limited education and experience regarding their own taxes, yet they are expected to do them on their own -- unless they want to pay someone to do it for them. This leads to many errors, some more...
Complex tax codes may turn a simple stroke of the pen into a tax fraud charge. If you’re unfamiliar with their intricacies, a mistake could cost you a serious fine or even jail time. There’s no harm in trying to reduce your tax bill. Even the I.R.S. offers tactics for...
