Embezzlement
Aggressive Defense Against Embezzlement Charges
Fraud, bribery and similar white collar crimes are sometimes methods of embezzlement, a form of stealing involving someone’s dishonest handling of monetary resources. The term embezzlement often describes the diversion of funds by someone such as an account manager, treasurer, or office assistant who is responsible for overseeing them. The stealing may come from accounts under the care of the embezzler’s employer, a government agency or a nonprofit organization.
Are you under suspicion because of financial irregularities involving pots of money that you were supposed to manage? Our attorneys urge you to seek legal counsel immediately. Contact Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C., to learn how we can help you protect your constitutional rights in this situation.
Common Embezzlement Scenarios
People embezzle public or organizational funds for their private purposes in these and other ways:
- Forging signatures on checks
- Creating bogus credit cards, bank accounts or other official-looking pathways by which to divert money
- Depositing cash collected into the embezzler’s personal account, with no evidence in an official ledger
- Conspiring with others to falsify records or conduct hard-to-trace financial transactions
Some embezzling scammers have also engaged in money laundering by creating fake businesses and nonprofit organizations through which they have funneled Covid-related government relief funds, GoFundMe account proceeds or Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. If you have any reason to believe that you are under investigation for embezzlement through white collar crimes such as these, your freedom and future are at risk. The sooner you have qualified legal counsel on your side, the more options there may be for a favorable outcome.
How Your Case Might Play Out
If an investigation is in the early stages, we may be able to help you resolve it without charges being filed. We pursue the least punitive outcome for each client, which sometimes involves no criminal charges, but rather, restitution if appropriate.
At Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C., in St. Louis, our defense lawyers have helped clients throughout Missouri, Illinois, and the United States to turn embezzlement accusations around. We want to help you avoid penalties such as those described below.
If You Are Convicted
A state-level conviction for theft in Missouri may bring penalties as follows:
- A misdemeanor conviction with up to 1 year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
- A class C felony conviction with up to 7 years in prison and/or fines up to $5,000.
- A class B felony conviction with up to 15 years in prison and/or fines up to $20,000.
Your case outcome may vary if you face additional criminal charges too, such as identity theft or conspiracy. And if funds crossed state lines, you may be tried in a federal court, with even stiffer penalties.
Contact a White Collar Crime Defense Attorney in St. Louis
Request a free phone consultation to learn how we will fight for you when you have been accused of embezzlement.
Talk over your options with us by calling 314-725-7777 or send us an email inquiry. Ask about paying your retainer with a credit card.
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