White Collar Crimes

Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Defending Illinois Clients against White Collar Crimes Charges

White collar crimes are criminal activities, generally for financial gain, performed during the course of business by an individual or corporation. Differing from other criminal activities, these crimes rarely involve violence and are usually performed by a team working together to defraud or take advantage of a situation. While many of these crimes are thought to be the result of large schemes such as those carried out by Bernie Madoff, smaller crimes are committed on a regular basis, with some crimes such as identity theft seeing a large spike in the last few years.

A federal charge can be very intimidating, as the federal government has virtually unlimited resources and funds and will often work for years investigating and building its’ case. If you find out that you are being investigated for a federal offense, it is likely that you will be charged and it is crucial that you gain the help of a Chicago criminal defense attorney. Usually by the time you find out that an investigation is in progress, there is already a substantial case built against you.

Most crimes are committed at the state level and include driving under the influence of alcohol, battery, theft, minor property damage and similar offenses. Other crimes are prosecuted by the federal government and can include crimes committed on federal property, against the federal government or spanning state lines or national borders. Most attorneys are familiar with the laws of the state in which they practice. When confronted with a federal charge, however, it is essential to have a Chicago criminal defense attorney who is educated and knowledgeable in the pertinent federal laws.

If you are currently facing formal charges or suspect that you are under investigation for a federal crime, you should immediately contact a Chicago criminal defense lawyer who has the necessary skills to defend you against such charges. 

Chicago White Collar Crimes Lawyer Defending Against White Collar Crimes Charges in Illinois

Sami Azhari has the expertise to effectively represent white collar criminal suspects in several different types of cases, such as:

• Insider Trading – the practice of using confidential information to trade on the stock exchange in order to benefit oneself or another.
• Embezzlement – the misappropriation of funds or theft of funds of another, which have been placed into the care of someone or their employer. 720 ILCS 5/16-1
• Money Laundering – the act of trading or moving money that has been illegally obtained, through placement, layering and integration. 720 ILCS 5/29B-1
• Bribery – as pertaining to white collar crimes, this is the offer or an acceptance of something to be exchanged for a favor, such as influencing a public official or particular situation. 720 ILCS 5/33-1
• Anti-Trust Violations -committing abusive practices such as price-fixing and monopolization for financial gain.
• Wire Fraud – using telecommunication or technology in order to financially defraud someone or something.
• Healthcare Fraud – the intentional defrauding by a provider or consumer of information in order to mislead another in determining health care benefits.
• Securities Fraud – the intentional defrauding of another using stocks and commodities induced by providing false information and altered sales information.
• Tax Fraud – a major problem the IRS is continuing to combat over the past four years, this is when an individual or corporation intentionally falsifies information in order to alter the amount of tax liability they incur for the year.
• Corporate/Business Fraud – acts committed by either an individual or a corporation in an effort to gain advantage over another. This type of fraud is broad and encompasses many other areas.
• Public Corruption – another type of illegal activity that is broad and can be all encompassing, this is the breach of public trust by an official, either federal, state, or local, while involved with private sector corporations for benefit.
• Computer Crimes – crimes committed by another computer user, aka hacker, in an effort to destroy, alter, maliciously take, the files of another user for their benefit.
• Identity Theft – the acquisition of another individual’s private information, through fraudulent means, in order for financial gain. 720 ILCS 5/16-30

Penalties for these crimes can include anywhere from community service to federal prison time. Like other criminal charges, some of the above listed crimes have mandatory minimum sentences and thus can result in several years in prison without the possibility of parole or probation. Other possible penalties include fines to pay back those individuals whose money was taken as well as the state, probation either after prison or as a result of the crime, restitution which can variety and is determined on a case by case basis by the court, as well as forfeiting assets, generally in an effort to make another whole and if property was purchased using funds that were illegally obtained.

Illinois Law

When determining penalties for a crime committed while in Illinois, the court here will generally look at the crime committed, the scope of the crime, and amount of money involved. These crimes can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on their scope and the amount of money involved. Generally speaking, misdemeanors can result in up to one year in jail and fines from $500 to $2,500 dollars. If classified as a felony, these crimes can vary from two years in prison up to 30 years in prison, and fines up to $25,000 or more, depending on any previous convictions.

Free Consultation with a Chicago Defense Lawyer

Any of the above crimes carry substantial consequences for anyone who is found guilty of the charges. If you or someone you know has been the victim of any of these crimes or has been falsely accused of such, there are a number of possible legal defenses available to discuss. Due to the complicated nature of these charges, it is imperative to have an experienced defense attorney like Sami Azhari to help fight the charges against you.

Contact Sami Azhari today to discuss your white collar crime charges and learn more about what he can do to help you. If you would like to reach Sami quickly and directly, please call his cell phone 24/7 at (312) 626-2871 or (847) 255-2100. The consultation is free. For your convenience, weekend appointments are available.