White Collar Crimes Attorney

White Collar Crimes Defense Attorney in Suffolk County, New York

Being charged with white collar crimes in Suffolk County can result in lengthy prison sentences, massive fines, devastating restitution obligations, permanent felony convictions, professional license revocations, and the complete destruction of your career, reputation, and financial future. White collar crime prosecutions involve complex financial evidence, sophisticated investigations by specialized law enforcement units, and aggressive prosecutors who view these cases as high-priority matters. Whether you’re facing charges for fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, securities fraud, tax crimes, or other financial offenses, you need an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of white collar criminal defense. Attorney Michael Brown is Suffolk County’s most experienced white collar crimes defense lawyer, with a proven track record of successfully defending clients against all types of financial and business-related criminal charges.

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Understanding White Collar Crimes Under New York Law

“White collar crime” is a broad term encompassing non-violent financial crimes committed for monetary gain, typically involving deception, fraud, or breach of trust. These crimes are prosecuted under various New York Penal Law provisions and often involve:

Complex financial transactions and records
Lengthy investigations by specialized units
Multiple victims and substantial financial losses
Both state and federal jurisdiction
Civil liability in addition to criminal charges
Professional license consequences
Asset forfeiture and seizure

White collar crimes can be prosecuted at the state level under New York law, at the federal level, or both, and the choice of jurisdiction dramatically affects potential sentences and defense strategies.

Common White Collar Crime Charges in New York

Fraud Offenses

Grand Larceny by Fraud: Under New York Penal Law Article 155, obtaining property through false pretenses constitutes larceny. Charges range from fourth degree (Class E felony for amounts over $1,000) to first degree (Class B felony for amounts over $1,000,000).

Scheme to Defraud: Under New York Penal Law § 190.60-190.65, engaging in a systematic course of conduct to defraud multiple persons constitutes a Class A misdemeanor (second degree) or Class E felony (first degree when obtaining property exceeding $1,000).

Identity Theft: Under New York Penal Law Article 190, assuming another’s identity to obtain property, money, or services ranges from third degree (Class A misdemeanor) to first degree (Class D felony).

Insurance Fraud: Under New York Penal Law Article 176, making false insurance claims ranges from fifth degree (Class A misdemeanor) to first degree (Class B felony for amounts over $1,000,000).

Healthcare Fraud: Fraudulent billing, false claims to Medicaid/Medicare, or healthcare provider fraud prosecuted under state and federal laws.

Forgery and Document Crimes

Forgery: Under New York Penal Law Article 170, falsely making, completing, or altering written instruments with intent to defraud ranges from third degree (Class A misdemeanor) to first degree (Class C felony).

Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument: Possessing forged documents with intent to defraud ranges from third degree (Class A misdemeanor) to first degree (Class C felony for possessing ten or more forged instruments).

Falsifying Business Records: Under New York Penal Law Article 175, making false entries in business records is second degree (Class A misdemeanor) or first degree (Class E felony when done to commit or conceal another crime).

Embezzlement and Theft by Fiduciaries

Embezzlement is prosecuted as grand larceny under Article 155, typically involving employees, corporate officers, trustees, or fiduciaries who misappropriate funds entrusted to them. Penalties range from Class E to Class B felonies based on amounts involved.

Tax Crimes

Under New York Tax Law Article 1800:

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

Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth through First Degrees: Felonies ranging from Class E (amounts over $3,000) to Class B (amounts over $1,000,000)

Money Laundering

Under New York Penal Law Article 470, money laundering involves knowingly engaging in financial transactions with proceeds of criminal conduct:

Money Laundering in the Fourth Degree (Class E felony): Transactions exceeding $5,000

Money Laundering in the Third Degree (Class D felony): Transactions exceeding $50,000

Money Laundering in the Second Degree (Class C felony): Transactions exceeding $100,000 or conducting transactions to promote specified criminal conduct

Money Laundering in the First Degree (Class B felony): Transactions exceeding $1,000,000 or knowing the property is proceeds from specified felonies

Securities Fraud

Securities fraud is primarily prosecuted under New York’s Martin Act (General Business Law Article 23-A), which criminalizes:

Making false statements about securities
Fraudulent securities sales practices
Market manipulation
Insider trading
Broker misconduct
Ponzi schemes

Violations can be prosecuted as felonies with substantial prison time.

Bribery and Corruption

Bribery: Under New York Penal Law Article 200, offering or receiving bribes ranges from third degree (Class D felony) to first degree (Class B felony for public corruption).

Commercial Bribery: Under Article 180, bribing employees or fiduciaries ranges from second degree (Class A misdemeanor) to first degree (Class E felony).

Computer Crimes

Computer Tampering: Under New York Penal Law Article 156, unauthorized computer access and data alteration ranges from fourth degree (Class A misdemeanor) to first degree (Class C felony).

Computer Trespass: Knowingly accessing computers without authorization is a Class E felony.

Unlawful Duplication of Computer Related Material: Copying computer data without authorization ranges from second degree (Class E felony) to first degree (Class C felony).

Credit Card and Payment Fraud

Criminal Possession of Stolen Property: Possessing stolen credit cards prosecuted under Article 165, ranging from misdemeanors to Class B felonies based on value.

Unlawful Use of Credit Cards: Using credit cards with intent to defraud under Penal Law § 165.17 (Class A misdemeanor).

Mortgage Fraud

Under New York Penal Law Article 187, residential mortgage fraud involves making material misstatements in mortgage applications:

Fifth Degree (Class A misdemeanor): Basic mortgage fraud

Fourth through First Degrees: Felonies ranging from Class E (loans over $1,000) to Class B (loans over $1,000,000)

Enterprise Corruption

Under New York Penal Law Article 460, enterprise corruption (New York’s version of RICO) targets organized criminal enterprises. This Class B felony carries 8 to 25 years in prison and applies when someone participates in criminal enterprises through patterns of criminal activity.

Criminal Penalties for White Collar Crimes

White collar crime penalties vary based on offense severity:

Class B Felonies: 5 to 25 years in prison, fines up to $5,000 (or double the gain/loss), massive restitution

Class C Felonies: 3.5 to 15 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, substantial restitution

Class D Felonies: 2 to 7 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, restitution

Class E Felonies: Up to 4 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, restitution

Class A Misdemeanors: Up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, restitution

Long-Term Consequences Beyond Criminal Penalties

Career Destruction

White collar convictions permanently destroy careers:

Automatic disqualification from financial services, banking, accounting, and related industries
Professional license revocation (CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, real estate brokers, insurance agents)
Inability to serve as corporate officers or directors
Permanent employment barriers in business and finance
Loss of security clearances
Government employment unavailable

Professional License Revocation

White collar convictions result in automatic license loss:

CPAs and accountants lose licenses permanently
Attorneys face disbarment
Financial advisors and brokers barred from industry (SEC/FINRA disqualification)
Real estate agents and brokers lose licenses
Insurance professionals cannot practice
Corporate fiduciaries barred from serving

Financial Devastation

Beyond criminal fines, white collar crimes cause:

Restitution obligations potentially exceeding millions of dollars
Civil lawsuits from victims seeking treble damages
Asset forfeiture and seizure of property
Wage garnishment for restitution
Securities law violations triggering civil penalties
Bankruptcy (though restitution obligations often survive)
Lifetime earning capacity destroyed

Immigration Consequences

For non-citizens, white collar convictions are immigration disasters:

Most white collar crimes constitute “crimes involving moral turpitude”
Fraud offenses with losses exceeding $10,000 are “aggravated felonies”
Aggravated felonies trigger mandatory deportation with no relief
Legal permanent residents lose status
Pending naturalization applications denied
Re-entry permanently barred

Regulatory Consequences

White collar convictions trigger regulatory actions:

SEC bars from securities industry
FINRA permanent prohibitions
Federal banking prohibitions
State regulatory agency sanctions
Professional board discipline
Exclusion from government contracting

Reputational Destruction

White collar crimes carry devastating stigma:

Media coverage and public exposure
Professional communities permanently shun convicts
Social isolation and judgment
Destroyed personal relationships
Permanent digital records
Inability to rebuild reputation

Federal vs. State White Collar Prosecutions

Many white collar crimes can be prosecuted federally, particularly:

Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343)
Mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341)
Bank fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344)
Securities fraud (15 U.S.C. § 78j)
Money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956-1957)
Tax evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201)
Healthcare fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1347)

Federal sentences are often substantially harsher than New York State sentences due to federal sentencing guidelines that calculate sentences based on loss amounts, sophisticated means enhancements, and leadership role enhancements.

Common Defenses to White Collar Crime Charges

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

Lack of Criminal Intent

White collar crimes require specific intent to defraud or deceive. Attorney Brown demonstrates:

You lacked intent to defraud
Actions were mistakes, not intentional crimes
You believed statements were true
You acted in good faith
Honest business disagreements don’t constitute crimes

Good Faith and Honest Belief

If you believed your conduct was legal or proper, this negates criminal intent. Attorney Brown establishes:

You relied on advice of counsel or accountants
You believed financial statements were accurate
Industry practices supported your conduct
You acted transparently without concealment

Insufficient Evidence

Attorney Brown demonstrates:

Evidence is insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt
Circumstantial evidence doesn’t support conviction
Financial records don’t prove fraud
Witnesses lack credibility
Alternative explanations exist

Challenging Financial Evidence

White collar cases depend on financial evidence. Attorney Brown challenges:

Accuracy of accounting records and forensic analyses
Methodology used to calculate losses
Qualifications of prosecution experts
Whether alleged losses actually occurred
Alternative interpretations of financial data

Constitutional Violations

Attorney Brown examines whether:

Searches of computers, emails, or financial records were constitutional
Statements were obtained in violation of Miranda rights
Grand jury proceedings were proper
Evidence should be suppressed

Statute of Limitations

Many white collar crimes have five-year statutes of limitations. Attorney Brown examines whether prosecution was timely filed.

Entrapment

In sting operations or undercover investigations, Attorney Brown may argue government agents induced criminal conduct.

Mistaken Identity and False Accusations

Attorney Brown investigates:

Whether you actually committed the alleged crimes
False accusations by business partners or competitors
Scapegoating by corporations
Accounting errors blamed on individuals

Negotiating Favorable Resolutions

Attorney Brown’s experience often results in:

Reduction from felony to misdemeanor charges
Reduction to lower degree charges
Deferred prosecution agreements
Plea agreements emphasizing restitution over incarceration
Cooperation agreements for defendants with information
Resolutions protecting professional licenses where possible
Agreements minimizing immigration consequences

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

Unmatched Experience in Complex Financial Crime Cases: As Suffolk County’s most experienced white collar crimes defense attorney, Michael Brown has successfully defended hundreds of clients against sophisticated financial crime charges including securities fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, tax fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and complex fraud schemes involving millions of dollars. His extensive experience with every aspect of white collar criminal defense provides clients with sophisticated strategies based on decades of successful outcomes.
Technical and Financial Expertise: White collar cases involve extraordinarily complex financial evidence, accounting principles, securities regulations, tax law, and technical financial testimony. Attorney Brown has extensive knowledge of financial systems, accounting practices, forensic accounting techniques, securities regulations, and business operations. He works with forensic accountants, financial experts, and industry specialists to analyze prosecution evidence, identify errors, and present compelling technical defenses.
Strategic Federal-State Jurisdictional Navigation: Many white collar cases can be prosecuted in state or federal court, and this choice dramatically affects potential sentences and defense strategies. Attorney Brown has experience with both state and federal white collar prosecutions, understands 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.
Comprehensive Asset Protection and Restitution Expertise: White collar prosecutions focus heavily on financial restitution and often involve asset seizure and forfeiture. Attorney Brown has extensive experience negotiating restitution agreements, challenging inflated loss calculations, protecting clients’ assets from seizure, structuring payment plans, and resolving civil litigation arising from criminal allegations. His comprehensive approach addresses both criminal liability and financial consequences that extend far beyond criminal sentences.
Professional License Defense and Career Protection: White collar convictions often result in automatic professional license revocation in fields like accounting, law, finance, real estate, insurance, and securities. Attorney Brown structures defenses specifically to minimize license consequences, negotiates resolutions that may allow license retention, coordinates criminal defense with professional licensing and regulatory proceedings, and fights to protect clients’ ability to continue their careers when possible.

What to Do If You’re Charged with or Investigated for White Collar Crimes

Immediately Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent: Do not answer questions from police, FBI, SEC, IRS, or other investigators. 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, or emails. Do not provide anything without first consulting an attorney.

Request an Attorney Immediately: Clearly invoke your right to counsel.

Do Not Delete or Destroy Evidence: Do not delete emails, destroy documents, or eliminate electronic evidence. Such conduct results in obstruction charges.

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

Do Not Discuss Your Case: Don’t talk about the case with anyone except your attorney—not business associates, family, or others.

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

Contact Attorney Michael Brown Immediately: White collar investigations and prosecutions are extraordinarily complex and require immediate sophisticated legal representation. Early intervention can sometimes prevent charges from being filed. Attorney Brown needs to begin immediately protecting your rights, preserving evidence, and developing your defense strategy.

Your Career, Reputation, and Financial Future Are at Stake

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

But white collar charges are defensible. White collar crimes require proof of specific intent, which skilled defense attorneys can challenge. Complex financial evidence can be reinterpreted. Alleged victims’ own conduct can negate fraud claims. Technical defenses relating to good faith, authorization, and honest mistakes can defeat charges. Every white collar case deserves sophisticated, aggressive defense.

You need Suffolk County’s most experienced white collar crimes defense lawyer—someone who understands complex financial transactions, who can analyze sophisticated financial evidence, who knows how to challenge forensic accounting and expert testimony, who can navigate federal-state jurisdictional issues, 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 white collar crime case. Time is absolutely critical in white collar investigations and prosecutions. Assets can be seized, professional licenses suspended, and damaging statements made if you delay obtaining experienced representation. Don’t let white collar crime charges destroy your career and financial future. Early action and sophisticated legal representation can make all the difference. Let Suffolk County’s most experienced white collar crimes defense attorney put his expertise and experience to work protecting you and fighting for the best possible outcome in your case.