Tax rules and regulations are complex. One simple mistake can have serious consequences for taxpayers. Being charged with tax fraud can lead to monetary repercussions, incarceration and a criminal record. Understanding three common tax mistakes that can lead to...
White Collar Crimes
Intent in money laundering cases
An individual, professional, entrepreneur or organization can be accused of money laundering if they handle and conceal money from a criminal activity and make it appear as if it came from a legitimate source. Some find themselves facing this charge through everyday...
Tax mistakes are not the same as tax fraud
Tax fraud is generally defined as an intentional action to defraud the government of tax money that would otherwise be due. It is a willful step that someone takes to pay less on their taxes. When filing taxes, individuals and business owners are often worried that...
Embezzlement often involves misappropriation
Many types of theft involve someone illegally obtaining something that they were never supposed to have possession of to begin with. This could include a home robbery, for example, or shoplifting from the local mall. It could also include high-tech computer crimes,...
Upcoding, unbundling and other common billing allegations
Medical billing is complicated. It operates at the intersection of medicine, federal regulation and payer-specific policies. And few words can cause more anxiety for healthcare providers than “billing fraud.” Many Medicare fraud investigations begin with allegations...
Phantom billing is an illegal action that requires a firm defense
Health insurance programs, including those administered by the federal government, pay providers based on the services they provide to patients. They rely on the providers to give the patients proper care, and they also rely heavily on proper billing. Unfortunately,...
How quiet compliance can lead to white-collar conspiracy charges
As a high-level professional, you may think that you are safe as long as you are not the one executing a fraudulent transaction. But under Michigan law, staying in your lane can be a dangerous legal strategy. Your liability as a party to the crime You may think that...
Why using payroll withholdings constitutes tax fraud
As a business owner, you deal with payroll constantly and act as a temporary collection agent. You withhold taxes from your employees’ paychecks and remit them to government authorities at the federal and state levels. When cash flow is tight, it can be tempting to...
“Borrowing” funds: Can you still face embezzlement charges?
When you are in a position of trust, taking funds from a company account, even if you call it "borrowing" and fully intend to pay it back, is not a simple mistake. It is the very action that defines the white collar crime of embezzlement. From a legal standpoint, the...
When might financial professionals face investment fraud charges?
White-collar crimes may involve a variety of different forms of financial misconduct. Professionals working in the finance and investment sectors are among those most at risk of white-collar criminal charges. Access to capital creates an opportunity for financial...

