Rochester White Collar Crime Attorneys

Understanding Fraud and White Collar Crimes

Most fraud charges in New York and Federal Court are also referred to as white collar crimes. A White collar crime encompasses a vast list of charges including: computer tampering, conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, falsifying business records, forgery, grand larceny, insurance fraud, offering a false instrument for filing, official misconduct, prescription fraud, tax fraud, tax evasion, unemployment fraud, and welfare fraud among other criminal charges.

White collar crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies, and sentencing after a conviction or plea can run from small financial restitution to decades in prison.  The victims of fraud can be individuals, businesses, or government agencies. Fraud is usually committed for personal financial gain and can be conducted in countless ways. Defrauding government entities, such as healthcare and welfare agencies, are common examples.

Obviously, even being accused of fraud can wreak havoc on your reputation, affect your future employment options and have numerous other long-term consequences. 

Contact our Rochester white collar crime attorneys for a free consultation. Call us now at (585) 639-3111 or get in touch online to get started on your defense.

What is a White Collar Crime in New York?

White collar crimes are financial crimes that are typically committed by individuals in positions of trust, such as business executives, accountants, or government officials. These crimes often involve a breach of trust or manipulation of financial systems for personal gain.

Common Types of White Collar Crimes

• Mail and wire fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Writing bad checks
• Identity theft
• Forgery
• Tax fraud
• Medicare/Medicaid fraud
• Embezzlement
• Voter fraud
• Internet fraud, phishing, and other scams
• Counterfeit prescription drugs
• Charity fraud
• Bank fraud
• Ponzi schemes and other investment scams
• Mortgage fraud
• Social Security fraud
• Employment benefits fraud
• Falsifying business records

White collar charges are different from other criminal charges and require special defenses. While most criminal prosecutions contain eyewitnesses, fingerprints, DNA, ballistics and other types of “physical evidence,” most white collar crime prosecutions rely heavily on documents, emails, wire taps, bank records, financial analysis and informants. 

Most prosecutors and defense attorneys do not have the experience to appropriately handle these types of cases. Recognizing this, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office has three prosecutors assigned solely to their Economic Crimes Bureau.  These three prosecutors are specially trained for white collar crime, and have years of experience and numerous convictions in this area. This is exactly why you need white collar crime defense attorneys in Rochester who know how to handle these document-driven cases.

Defending Against White Collar Crime Charges

Defending against white collar crime charges requires a strong grasp of both criminal law and financial systems. The prosecution often relies on complex financial records and expert testimony to prove guilt, so it is essential for a Rochester white collar crime lawyer to carefully analyze the evidence, challenge its validity, and identify weaknesses in the case. Common defense strategies include disputing the intent behind the actions, arguing that the defendant did not intentionally engage in fraudulent behavior, or claiming the actions were accidental or based on a misunderstanding.

Other defenses may focus on a lack of knowledge, especially in cases involving large corporations or intricate financial transactions, where the defendant may not have been aware of fraudulent conduct. Additionally, if the prosecution fails to present sufficient evidence to prove the defendant’s involvement, the charges may be reduced or dropped. In some cases, cooperating with authorities can lead to a more favorable outcome, such as reduced charges or penalties, by providing valuable information to assist in prosecuting larger criminal enterprises.

Why Hire a Rochester White Collar Crime Lawyer?

Choose Nobles & DeCarolis for Your White Collar Crime Defense:

• We have handled numerous white collar cases in both state and federal court, including many of the charges listed above.
• We personally know the white collar professionals in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. We work with them regularly to favorably resolve cases prior to trial, and we have successfully gone to trial against them.
• By personally reviewing and organizing all the case documents and performing our own investigations, we have had several clients’ white collar cases dismissed by the Court or the District Attorney’s Office.
• Unlike many other lawyers, Mr. Nobles has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a strong understanding of business operations, accounting and record keeping that can provide key insight in strategy, negotiation and defense of these types of cases.
• We understand the complexity of white collar cases, and with this combination of business knowledge, trial acumen, and mutually respectful relationships with the D.A.’s office and the U.S. Attorney's Office, we know how to prepare, analyze and plot the tactics needed to successfully defend these cases.

Contact Nobles & DeCarolis for a Free Case Evaluation or at (585) 639-3111 to request your free case evaluation today.