Most Michigan residents hire a professional to complete their tax returns, but what should they do if their tax preparer makes a mistake that costs them money? The latest tax preparation software is designed to identify errors and ensure that taxpayers claim all of...
White Collar Crimes
Does insider trading have to involve selling stock?
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly penalizes Michigan investors who influence market prices based on insider information that isn’t available to the public. While buying and selling stocks can create shifts in the market that give other...
Guarding against social security fraud
Financial crimes don't just hit a handful of people. Criminal acts that involve unlawfully collecting someone else's benefits impact all Michigan residents. They create tax gaps that impact services and government programs, and such fraud makes it more difficult for...
Understanding racketeering charges and its penalties
The crime of racketeering violates both federal and Michigan state laws. While the federal government originally created the term as a way to address illegal organized violent crime, racketeering now includes ongoing white-collar crimes as well. Defining racketeering...
Types of white-collar crimes
Not all activity defined as criminal under Michigan law involves violence. Indeed, there is a large category known as white-collar crimes that are not violent in nature. The term is not a legal one, but it typically refers to crimes committed by people in the...
Health Insurance Fraud in Michigan
In Michigan, health insurance fraud is a felony offense punishable by up to four years in prison and $50,0000 in fines. Health insurance fraud involves the policyholder, practitioner or another party providing misleading, false or fraudulent information to obtain...
Securities fraud is a white collar crime
The commission of a white-collar crime in Michigan can take many forms. These include several varieties of securities fraud. It's important to be totally up-front about the nature of your investments in this area. Even an accidental report that contains misleading...
The act of defrauding insurance companies
Insurance is often beneficial in Michigan whether it's for your car or for your health. However, there are times that fraud can be committed when an individual or a business submits a false claim in order to get money for a loss that might not have occurred. Defining...
What are some statistics on white-collar crimes?
Michigan is no stranger to white-collar crimes. These offenses involve fraud and deception and are usually carried out for monetary gain. You might want to know some statistics relating to these types of charges. What are white-collar statistics by white-collar...
What’s the difference between blue- and white-collar crimes?
Everyone has heard of white-collar crimes in Michigan and elsewhere. There are also blue-collar crimes, so it’s important to know how they differ. What are white-collar crimes? The term “white-collar crime” dates back to 1939 when the president of the American...