Racketeering is commonly associated with organized crime, thanks in part to documentaries focusing on legendary gangsters. However, there are many scenarios where a defendant might face racketeering charges. A December 2021 press release issued by the Department of...
White Collar Crimes
Teaching and Fleecing the Flock
Fellow believers in a small, close-knit community church in a Michigan town are reeling from the revelation that the man in whom they placed unfettered trust has betrayed them. It has come to light that the ex-pastor pocketed church donations that were designated for...
2 people sentenced for Ponzi scheme
A man and a woman from Michigan were sentenced for their roles in an alleged multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. The alleged fraud involved multiple states and reportedly affected over 140 people. The accused individuals pled guilty in 2019, but their sentencing was...
Medicare fraud as a white-collar crime
Knowingly generating unnecessary business expenses is plain and simple fraud, a major white-collar crime. You complicate matters if you use a government agency like Medicare as a vessel. Michigan law sees this transgression as preying on the disabled, elderly or any...
Michigan man lands on wrong side of SEC crowdfunding lawsuit
The SEC is suing a Michigan man and two business partners over a crowdfunding initiative gone awry. According to the commission, the three individuals and an international crowdfunding platform committed and facilitated fraud in multiple ways. SEC's first crowdfunding...
How can you tell when there is a case of internet auction fraud?
Residents of Michigan may enjoy buying or selling things at auctions. Sometimes, it's preferable to do that right from the safety and comfort of home. However, there are instances of fraud on the internet. It's important to know how to identify this white-collar...
What are the different degrees of money laundering?
Money laundering is a common white-collar crime. If a person gets arrested for this offense in Michigan or another state, it's important to take the matter seriously because the prosecution could recommend harsh penalties. There are varying degrees of money laundering...
How prevalent is mortgage fraud?
Procuring a mortgage lets many people enjoy their dream of owning a home. The mortgage industry in Michigan also benefits from the chance to generate profits from reliable borrowers. Not everyone turns out to be honest when seeking a mortgage, however, and some...
Fraud and the healthcare system
If you need medical treatment in Michigan, you expect that the doctor and other workers in the office or the hospital are professional in nature. However, some providers could be charged with health care fraud that could result in the practice being closed....
Insurance agent pleads guilty to embezzlement
According to the State of Michigan's Attorney General, an insurance agent located in Muskegon was charged in June with both fraud and embezzlement using the money of his own clients. The insurance agent pleaded guilty to all charges that were brought against him....