Fraud Crimes Attorney

Fraud Crimes Defense Attorney in Suffolk County, New York

Being charged with fraud crimes in Suffolk County can result in severe criminal penalties including lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, restitution payments that can reach millions of dollars, permanent felony convictions, and devastating consequences for your career, professional licenses, and financial future. Fraud charges encompass a wide range of offenses from credit card fraud and identity theft to securities fraud and insurance fraud. These are often complex white-collar cases involving detailed financial records, electronic evidence, and sophisticated investigative techniques. Attorney Michael Brown is Suffolk County’s most experienced fraud crimes defense lawyer, with a proven track record of successfully defending clients against all types of fraud charges.

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Understanding Fraud Crimes Under New York Law

Fraud crimes in New York involve obtaining property, money, or services through deception, false pretenses, or misrepresentation. Unlike crimes of violence, fraud offenses are characterized by intentional deception for financial gain. New York law addresses fraud through various statutes in the Penal Law, each targeting specific types of fraudulent conduct.

Fraud cases are often prosecuted aggressively because they:

Involve substantial financial losses to victims
Undermine trust in financial systems and commercial transactions
Often involve vulnerable victims like the elderly
Can be prosecuted at both state and federal levels
May involve multiple victims across jurisdictions

Grand Larceny by Fraud

While larceny is often thought of as theft by taking property, grand larceny can also be committed through fraud—obtaining property through false pretenses or misrepresentation.

Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree

Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, under New York Penal Law § 155.30, is a Class E felony. A person is guilty when they steal property exceeding $1,000 in value. When accomplished through fraud or false pretenses, this becomes a fraud crime.

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years in state prison
Probation: Possible for first-time offenders
Fines: Up to $5,000 plus surcharges
Restitution: Full payment of victim losses
Permanent Felony Record: Employment and licensing consequences
Professional Consequences: Loss of professional licenses

Grand Larceny in the Third Degree

Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, under New York Penal Law § 155.35, is a Class D felony when property value exceeds $3,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years in state prison
Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Full repayment to victims
Permanent Felony Record

Grand Larceny in the Second Degree

Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 155.40, is a Class C felony when property value exceeds $50,000, or when property is obtained by extortion.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 3.5 to 15 years in state prison
Substantial Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Full payment of losses
Serious Felony Record: Devastating professional consequences

Grand Larceny in the First Degree

Grand Larceny in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 155.42, is a Class B felony when property value exceeds $1,000,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 5 to 25 years in state prison
Massive Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Payment of all victim losses, potentially millions of dollars
Permanent Serious Felony Record: Career-ending conviction

Identity Theft

Identity theft has become one of the most prevalent fraud crimes in the digital age. New York Penal Law Article 190 specifically addresses identity theft offenses.

Identity Theft in the Third Degree

Identity Theft in the Third Degree, under New York Penal Law § 190.78, is a Class A misdemeanor. A person is guilty when they knowingly and with intent to defraud assume the identity of another person by presenting themselves as that person, or by acting as that person or using personal identifying information of that person, and thereby:

Obtains goods, money, property, or services
Uses credit in the name of that person
Causes financial loss to that person or another
Commits a Class A misdemeanor or higher crime

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year in county jail
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Restitution: Full payment of victim losses
Criminal Record: Permanent misdemeanor conviction

Identity Theft in the Second Degree

Identity Theft in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 190.79, is a Class E felony. A person is guilty when they commit identity theft in the third degree and:

The person thereby obtains goods, money, property, or services with a value in excess of $500, or
They have previously been convicted of identity theft in the third, second, or first degree within the preceding five years

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years in state prison
Fines: Substantial fines and surcharges
Restitution: Full repayment of losses
Permanent Felony Record

Identity Theft in the First Degree

Identity Theft in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 190.80, is a Class D felony. A person is guilty when they commit identity theft in the second or third degree and:

The person thereby obtains goods, money, property, or services with a value in excess of $2,000, or
They have previously been convicted of identity theft in the first degree within the preceding five years, or
They have previously been convicted of identity theft in the second degree within the preceding five years and have been convicted of identity theft in the third, second, or first degree within the preceding ten years

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years in state prison
Substantial Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Full payment of all losses
Permanent Felony Record: Serious career consequences

Aggravated Identity Theft

Aggravated Identity Theft, under New York Penal Law § 190.80-a, is a Class D felony. A person is guilty when they commit identity theft and:

The person with the intent to further the commission of identity theft supervises more than three accomplices, or
The person with the intent to further the commission of identity theft supervises more than two accomplices and has previously been convicted of identity theft in the first degree within the preceding ten years

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years in state prison
Substantial Fines
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Serious Felony Record

Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information

New York criminalizes mere possession of stolen personal identification information, even without using it.

Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the Third Degree

Under New York Penal Law § 190.81, this Class A misdemeanor occurs when a person knowingly possesses another person’s personal identifying information with intent to use it unlawfully.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Criminal Record

Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the Second Degree

Under New York Penal Law § 190.82, this Class E felony occurs when:

A person commits unlawful possession in the third degree and has been previously convicted of the same or related offenses within the preceding five years, or
The person possesses 250 or more items of personal identification information

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years
Fines: Substantial fines
Permanent Felony Record

Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the First Degree

Under New York Penal Law § 190.83, this Class D felony occurs when:

A person commits unlawful possession in the second degree and has been convicted of unlawful possession in the first degree within the preceding five years, or
Has been convicted of unlawful possession in the second degree within the preceding five years and has been convicted of unlawful possession in the third, second, or first degree within the preceding ten years, or
The person possesses 250 or more items with intent to further the commission of identity theft

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years
Substantial Fines
Permanent Serious Felony Record

Credit Card Fraud and Related Offenses

Credit card fraud is addressed under New York Penal Law Article 165, which criminalizes various forms of credit card and debit card crimes.

Criminal Possession of Stolen Property (Credit Cards)

Under New York Penal Law Article 165, possessing stolen credit or debit cards constitutes criminal possession of stolen property:

Fifth Degree (Class A misdemeanor): Possessing stolen property with intent to benefit yourself or someone other than the owner

Fourth Degree (Class E felony): Possessing stolen property with value exceeding $1,000

Third Degree (Class D felony): Possessing stolen property with value exceeding $3,000

Second Degree (Class C felony): Possessing stolen property with value exceeding $50,000

First Degree (Class B felony): Possessing stolen property with value exceeding $1,000,000

Unlawful Use of Credit Card, Debit Card, or Public Benefit Card

Under New York Penal Law § 165.17, Unlawful Use of Credit Card, Debit Card, or Public Benefit Card is a Class A misdemeanor when a person uses a credit card, debit card, or public benefit card with intent to defraud.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and restitution
Criminal Record

Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (Credit Cards)

Under New York Penal Law Article 170, possessing forged credit or debit cards constitutes criminal possession of a forged instrument:

Third Degree (Class A misdemeanor): Knowingly possessing a forged instrument with intent to defraud

Second Degree (Class D felony): Knowingly possessing ten or more forged instruments with intent to defraud

First Degree (Class C felony): Knowingly possessing ten or more forged instruments with intent to defraud and having been convicted of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second or first degree within the preceding ten years

Forgery Offenses

Forgery involves creating, altering, or possessing false documents with intent to defraud.

Forgery in the Third Degree

Forgery in the Third Degree, under New York Penal Law § 170.05, is a Class A misdemeanor. A person is guilty when, with intent to defraud, deceive, or injure another, they falsely make, complete, or alter a written instrument.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Restitution: Payment of losses
Criminal Record

Forgery in the Second Degree

Forgery in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 170.10, is a Class D felony. A person is guilty when they commit forgery in the third degree and the written instrument is or purports to be:

A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, or other instrument which affects legal rights
A public record or instrument filed with a public office
A prescription for a controlled substance
A check or similar instrument for $1,000 or more

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years
Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Felony Record

Forgery in the First Degree

Forgery in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 170.15, is a Class C felony. A person is guilty when they commit forgery in the second degree and the instrument is or purports to be:

Money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by government or corporation
A check or similar instrument for $10,000 or more

Penalties:

Prison Time: 3.5 to 15 years
Substantial Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Full payment
Serious Felony Record

Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud is a significant category of fraud crimes prosecuted under New York Penal Law Article 176.

Insurance Fraud in the Fifth Degree

Insurance Fraud in the Fifth Degree, under New York Penal Law § 176.05, is a Class A misdemeanor. A person is guilty when they commit a fraudulent insurance act with intent to defraud and knowingly make or cause a false or fraudulent material statement or material omission as part of an application for insurance, for payment of a benefit, or to receive compensation.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Restitution: Full repayment
Criminal Record

Insurance Fraud in the Fourth Degree

Insurance Fraud in the Fourth Degree, under New York Penal Law § 176.10, is a Class E felony. A person is guilty when they commit insurance fraud in the fifth degree and the value of the benefit, payment, or compensation exceeds $1,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years
Fines: Substantial fines
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Felony Record

Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree

Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, under New York Penal Law § 176.15, is a Class D felony when the value exceeds $3,000, or when the person has previously been convicted of insurance fraud within the preceding five years.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years
Fines: Up to $5,000
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Felony Record

Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree

Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 176.20, is a Class C felony when the value exceeds $50,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 3.5 to 15 years
Substantial Fines
Restitution: Full payment
Serious Felony Record

Insurance Fraud in the First Degree

Insurance Fraud in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 176.25, is a Class B felony when the value exceeds $1,000,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 5 to 25 years
Massive Fines
Restitution: Payment potentially in millions
Permanent Serious Felony Record

Aggravated Insurance Fraud

Aggravated Insurance Fraud, under New York Penal Law § 176.30, is a Class D felony when someone commits insurance fraud and has been convicted of insurance fraud within the preceding five years.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years
Substantial Fines
Permanent Serious Felony Record

Scheme to Defraud

Scheme to Defraud offenses provide broad authority to prosecute various fraudulent schemes that don’t fit neatly into other fraud categories.

Scheme to Defraud in the Second Degree

Scheme to Defraud in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 190.60, is a Class A misdemeanor. A person is guilty when they engage in a scheme constituting a systematic ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud more than one person, or to obtain property from more than one person by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, and thereby obtain property from one or more such persons.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Restitution: Payment to all victims
Criminal Record

Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree

Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 190.65, is a Class E felony. A person is guilty when they engage in a scheme to defraud in the second degree and thereby obtain property with a value in excess of $1,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years
Fines: Substantial fines
Restitution: Full payment to victims
Permanent Felony Record

Check Fraud and Related Offenses

Issuing a Bad Check

Issuing a Bad Check, under New York Penal Law § 190.05, is a Class B misdemeanor when someone issues a check knowing they have insufficient funds and intending to defraud.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to 90 days
Fines: Fines and restitution
Criminal Record

Higher degrees of check fraud fall under the general larceny and fraud statutes depending on amounts involved.

Falsifying Business Records

Falsifying Business Records is commonly charged in conjunction with other fraud offenses, particularly in white-collar crime cases.

Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree

Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 175.05, is a Class A misdemeanor. A person is guilty when, with intent to defraud, they:

Make or cause a false entry in business records
Alter, erase, obliterate, delete, remove, or destroy a true entry
Omit to make a true entry
Prevent the making of a true entry

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Restitution
Criminal Record

Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree

Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 175.10, is a Class E felony. A person is guilty when they commit falsifying business records in the second degree with intent to commit another crime or to conceal the commission of another crime.

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years
Fines: Substantial fines
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Felony Record

Mortgage Fraud

Mortgage fraud is prosecuted under various statutes including residential mortgage fraud offenses in New York Penal Law Article 187.

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Fifth Degree

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Fifth Degree, under New York Penal Law § 187.05, is a Class A misdemeanor when a person knowingly makes material misstatements, misrepresentations, or omissions in residential mortgage loan applications or documents with intent to defraud.

Penalties:

Jail Time: Up to one year
Fines: Fines and surcharges
Restitution: Payment of losses
Criminal Record

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Fourth Degree

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Fourth Degree, under New York Penal Law § 187.10, is a Class E felony when the misrepresentation involves a loan exceeding $1,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: Up to 4 years
Fines: Substantial fines
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Felony Record

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Third Degree

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Third Degree, under New York Penal Law § 187.15, is a Class D felony when the loan exceeds $50,000 or when there’s a prior mortgage fraud conviction.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 2 to 7 years
Substantial Fines
Restitution: Full payment
Permanent Felony Record

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, under New York Penal Law § 187.20, is a Class C felony when the loan exceeds $250,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 3.5 to 15 years
Substantial Fines
Restitution: Full payment
Serious Felony Record

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the First Degree

Residential Mortgage Fraud in the First Degree, under New York Penal Law § 187.25, is a Class B felony when the loan exceeds $1,000,000.

Penalties:

Prison Time: 5 to 25 years
Massive Fines
Restitution: Payment potentially in millions
Permanent Serious Felony Record

Securities Fraud

Securities fraud is often prosecuted under federal law but can also be charged under New York’s Martin Act (General Business Law Article 23-A) in state court.

Securities fraud involves:

Making false statements or omissions regarding investments
Insider trading
Ponzi schemes and investment fraud
Broker misconduct
Market manipulation

Securities fraud cases are complex and often involve coordination between state and federal prosecutors.

Tax Fraud

Tax fraud offenses in New York include:

Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree (Class A misdemeanor): Filing false tax returns or failing to file returns with intent to evade taxes

Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree (Class E felony): Tax fraud involving more than $3,000

Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree (Class D felony): Tax fraud involving more than $10,000

Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree (Class C felony): Tax fraud involving more than $50,000

Criminal Tax Fraud in the First Degree (Class B felony): Tax fraud involving more than $1,000,000

Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud

While typically federal offenses under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1341, wire fraud and mail fraud can also be prosecuted under New York’s scheme to defraud statutes when the fraudulent scheme uses electronic communications or mail services.

Long-Term Consequences of Fraud Convictions

Career Devastation

Fraud convictions destroy professional careers:

Professional licenses are automatically revoked in many fields (law, accounting, finance, real estate, insurance)
Financial institutions refuse to hire individuals with fraud convictions
Bonding companies won’t provide surety bonds required for many positions
Employers conducting background checks automatically disqualify fraud offenders
Self-employment in many industries becomes impossible due to licensing requirements
Security clearances are permanently unavailable

Financial Ruin

Beyond criminal penalties, fraud convictions cause:

Restitution payments that can reach millions of dollars
Civil lawsuits from victims seeking additional damages
Inability to obtain business loans or credit
Garnishment of wages for restitution payments
Seizure and forfeiture of assets
Bankruptcy (though restitution debts often survive bankruptcy)

Professional Licensing Consequences

Fraud convictions affect numerous professional licenses:

Legal Licenses: Attorneys are automatically disbarred
Financial Licenses: CPAs, financial advisors, brokers lose licenses permanently
Real Estate Licenses: Real estate agents and brokers lose licenses
Insurance Licenses: Insurance agents and adjusters are prohibited
Healthcare Licenses: Medical professionals may lose licenses
Educational Licenses: Teachers and administrators face license revocation

Employment Barriers

Fraud convictions create employment obstacles:

Financial services industry is permanently closed
Government employment is unavailable
Many corporate positions require disclosure and background checks
Positions of trust are inaccessible
Entrepreneurship is hindered by inability to obtain business licenses and bonding

Immigration Consequences

For non-citizens, fraud convictions have serious immigration consequences:

Fraud crimes often constitute “crimes involving moral turpitude”
Convictions can trigger deportation proceedings
Naturalization applications are denied
Legal permanent residents may lose status
Re-entry to the United States becomes difficult

Reputational Damage

Fraud convictions carry unique stigma:

Media coverage of fraud cases damages reputation
Professional communities shun convicted fraudsters
Personal relationships are strained
Social standing in communities is destroyed
Digital records make fraud convictions easily discoverable

Civil Litigation

Beyond criminal prosecution, fraud defendants face:

Civil lawsuits from victims
Treble damages under various consumer protection statutes
Attorney fee awards to plaintiffs
Punitive damages
Long-term liability extending decades

Common Defenses to Fraud Charges

As Suffolk County’s most experienced fraud crimes defense attorney, Michael Brown employs sophisticated defense strategies:

Lack of Intent to Defraud

Fraud requires specific intent to deceive and defraud. Attorney Brown demonstrates:

Any misrepresentations were unintentional mistakes
You believed statements were true
You acted in good faith
There was no criminal intent
The prosecution cannot prove intent beyond reasonable doubt

Many fraud prosecutions involve complex business transactions where honest mistakes or misunderstandings are misconstrued as intentional fraud.

No False Statements or Misrepresentations

Attorney Brown challenges whether:

Statements were actually false
Alleged omissions were material
Representations were statements of fact rather than opinion
Disclosures were adequate under the circumstances

Lack of Materiality

For fraud convictions, false statements must be material—meaning they influenced the victim’s decision. Attorney Brown shows:

Alleged misrepresentations were not material to the transaction
Victims would have proceeded regardless of the statements
Other factors motivated victim decisions

Victim Knowledge

Attorney Brown can demonstrate:

Alleged victims knew or should have known the true facts
Victims had equal access to information
Victims conducted independent investigations
Victims cannot claim reliance on defendant’s statements

Authorization and Permission

In cases involving use of others’ financial information or assets, Attorney Brown establishes:

You had permission to use credit cards, accounts, or identification
Authorized users cannot be guilty of fraud
Business relationships authorized the conduct

Identification and Attribution Issues

In identity theft and credit card fraud cases, Attorney Brown challenges:

Whether you were actually the person who committed the fraud
Whether electronic evidence reliably identifies you
Whether others had access to accounts or devices
Whether identity theft victims accurately identified perpetrators

Challenging Financial Loss Calculations

Fraud charges often depend on loss amounts determining the degree of the offense. Attorney Brown scrutinizes:

How prosecutors calculated losses
Whether alleged losses were actually suffered
Whether loss calculations include speculative or inflated amounts
Whether victim’s own conduct contributed to losses

Statute of Limitations

Fraud prosecutions must be commenced within the statute of limitations. Attorney Brown examines:

When the offense allegedly occurred
When the limitations period expired
Whether prosecution was timely filed

New York’s statute of limitations for fraud offenses is typically five years for felonies and two years for misdemeanors, though exceptions apply.

Challenging Search Warrants and Electronic Evidence

Fraud cases often involve:

Search warrants for computers and electronic devices
Email and text message evidence
Financial records and bank statements
Cloud storage data

Attorney Brown challenges whether:

Search warrants were properly obtained
Searches exceeded warrant scope
Electronic evidence was legally obtained
Chain of custody was maintained
Digital evidence was properly preserved and analyzed

Challenging Expert Testimony

Fraud prosecutions often rely on expert witnesses including:

Forensic accountants
Computer forensic experts
Industry experts
Document examiners

Attorney Brown challenges expert testimony by:

Questioning expert qualifications
Cross-examining methodology
Presenting defense experts
Challenging reliability of expert opinions

Entrapment

When fraud charges result from undercover operations or sting operations, Attorney Brown may argue:

You were entrapped by government agents
Government induced criminal conduct
You lacked predisposition to commit fraud

Negotiating Favorable Resolutions

Even in complex fraud cases, Attorney Brown’s experience often results in:

Reduction from felony to misdemeanor charges
Reduction to lower degrees of fraud charges
Deferred prosecution agreements
Plea agreements emphasizing restitution over incarceration
Alternative sentencing avoiding prison time
Cooperation agreements for defendants with information

Five Reasons Attorney Michael Brown Is Your Best Choice for Fraud Crimes Defense

Unmatched Experience in Complex White-Collar Cases: As Suffolk County’s most experienced fraud crimes defense attorney, Michael Brown has successfully defended hundreds of clients against sophisticated fraud charges including identity theft, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, credit card fraud, and large-scale financial fraud schemes. His deep understanding of complex financial transactions, electronic evidence, forensic accounting, and white-collar investigation techniques provides clients with sophisticated defense strategies that less experienced attorneys cannot match.
Technical and Financial Expertise: Fraud cases involve complex financial evidence, accounting principles, electronic records, and technical evidence that many criminal defense attorneys don’t fully understand. Attorney Brown has extensive knowledge of financial systems, accounting practices, banking operations, insurance industry standards, real estate transactions, and securities regulations. He works with forensic accountants, computer forensic experts, and industry specialists to analyze prosecution evidence, identify errors in financial calculations, and present compelling technical defenses.
Strategic Approach to Federal-State Jurisdictional Issues: Many fraud cases can be prosecuted in both state and federal court, and the choice of jurisdiction dramatically affects potential sentences and defense strategies. Attorney Brown has experience with both state fraud prosecutions and federal fraud cases, understands the differences in sentencing exposure, and knows how to navigate jurisdictional decisions strategically. He can sometimes influence whether cases remain in state court or are referred to federal prosecutors, which can mean the difference between probation and decades in federal prison.
Restitution and Asset Protection Expertise: Unlike most criminal cases, fraud prosecutions focus heavily on financial restitution to victims and often involve asset seizure and forfeiture. Attorney Brown has extensive experience negotiating restitution agreements, challenging inflated loss calculations, structuring payment plans, protecting clients’ assets from seizure, and resolving civil litigation arising from fraud allegations. His comprehensive approach addresses not just criminal liability but financial consequences that can extend far beyond criminal sentences.
Professional License Defense and Career Protection: Fraud convictions often result in automatic professional license revocation in fields like law, accounting, finance, real estate, and insurance. Attorney Brown understands the collateral consequences for professional licenses and structures defenses specifically to minimize career damage, negotiating resolutions that may allow license retention, coordinating criminal defense with professional licensing proceedings, and protecting clients’ ability to continue their careers when possible.

The Critical Importance of Immediate Representation

Fraud cases require immediate legal intervention. Contact Attorney Michael Brown right away because:

Investigations Occur Before Arrests: Unlike street crimes, fraud investigations often occur over months or years before arrests. If you’re contacted by investigators, subpoenaed for documents, or learn you’re under investigation, Attorney Michael Brown can intervene before charges are filed, potentially preventing prosecution.

Evidence Preservation: Financial records, electronic evidence, business documents, and communications must be preserved immediately. Attorney Brown ensures all potentially exculpatory evidence is protected.

Preventing Damaging Statements: People under investigation for fraud often try to explain transactions or provide documents to investigators, inadvertently making incriminating statements or providing evidence. Attorney Brown ensures you exercise your right to remain silent.

Asset Protection: Government agencies move quickly to freeze assets and seize property in fraud cases. Early legal intervention can protect your bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and other assets from seizure.

Civil Litigation Coordination: Fraud allegations often trigger civil lawsuits from alleged victims. Attorney Brown coordinates criminal defense with civil litigation to protect you in both arenas.

Professional License Protection: If you hold professional licenses, immediate action may prevent automatic suspension pending criminal proceedings.

Cooperation Decisions: Prosecutors sometimes seek cooperation from defendants in fraud investigations. These decisions have enormous consequences and must be made strategically with experienced counsel.

Understanding Federal Fraud Prosecutions

Many fraud cases are prosecuted federally, particularly when they involve:

Interstate commerce or wire communications
Mail or wire fraud
Bank fraud
Healthcare fraud
Securities fraud
Tax fraud
Large-scale financial schemes

Federal fraud sentences under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1344, and related statutes are often substantially longer than New York State sentences:

Federal sentencing guidelines calculate sentences based on loss amounts using Loss Tables
Enhancements apply for sophisticated means, leadership role, and vulnerable victims
Sentences can reach 20-30 years for large fraud schemes
Federal restitution requirements are strict and enforced

Attorney Michael Brown coordinates with federal defense counsel when cases involve federal charges or potential federal prosecution.

What to Do If You’re Charged with or Investigated for Fraud

If you’ve been arrested, charged, or are under investigation for fraud:

Immediately Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent: Do not answer questions from police, investigators, or prosecutors. Do not try to explain transactions, provide your version of events, or provide documents without counsel. State: “I want to speak with my attorney and I am exercising my right to remain silent.”

Do Not Provide Documents or Records: Investigators often request financial records, business documents, emails, or other materials. Do not provide anything without first consulting an attorney. Documents you provide can become evidence against you.

Request an Attorney Immediately: If questioned, clearly invoke your right to counsel: “I want an attorney.”

Do Not Delete or Destroy Evidence: Do not delete emails, destroy documents, or eliminate electronic evidence. Such conduct can result in obstruction of justice charges and creates the appearance of guilt.

Preserve All Evidence: Preserve all documents, communications, electronic records, and information that may support your defense. Provide these only to your attorney.

Do Not Discuss Your Case: Don’t talk about your case with anyone except your attorney—not business associates, family members, friends, or others. These conversations are not privileged and can be used against you.

Do Not Make Restitution Payments Without Counsel: While restitution may ultimately be required, making payments before consulting counsel can be interpreted as admission of guilt.

Protect Your Assets: Consult with Attorney Michael Brown about protecting assets from seizure and forfeiture.

Contact Attorney Michael Brown Immediately: Fraud investigations and prosecutions are complex and require immediate sophisticated legal representation. Attorney Brown needs to begin immediately preserving evidence, protecting your assets, preventing damaging statements, coordinating with civil counsel, and developing your defense strategy.

Your Career and Financial Future Are at Stake

Fraud charges threaten not just your freedom but your entire professional career, your financial security, your professional licenses, and your reputation. The stakes in fraud cases often exceed those in violent crime cases because the consequences extend far beyond criminal penalties to include permanent professional exclusion, massive restitution obligations, civil litigation, and career-ending license revocations.

But fraud charges are defensible. Fraud requires proof of specific intent, materiality, false statements, victim reliance, and causation—all elements that skilled defense attorneys can challenge. Complex financial evidence can be reinterpreted. Alleged victims’ own conduct can negate claims of justifiable reliance. Technical defenses relating to authorization, good faith, and honest mistakes can defeat fraud charges. Every fraud case deserves sophisticated, aggressive defense.

You need Suffolk County’s most experienced fraud crimes defense lawyer—someone who understands complex financial transactions, who can analyze sophisticated electronic and financial evidence, who knows how to challenge forensic accounting and expert testimony, who can negotiate favorable restitution arrangements, and who will fight tirelessly to protect your freedom, your career, your professional licenses, and your financial future.

Contact Attorney Michael Brown today for a confidential consultation about your fraud case. Time is absolutely critical in fraud investigations and prosecutions. Assets can be seized, professional licenses suspended, civil litigation filed, and damaging statements made to investigators if you delay obtaining experienced representation. Don’t let fraud charges destroy your career and financial future. Early action and sophisticated legal representation can make all the difference. Let Suffolk County’s most experienced fraud crimes defense attorney put his expertise, his experience, and his unwavering commitment to work protecting you and fighting for the best possible outcome in your case.