Posted on May 23, 2022 in Federal Crimes

Opioid addiction is a national epidemic. It spans the entire country, and Chicago is no exception. Individuals who are caught trafficking illegally obtained prescription drugs may be subject to state or federal prosecution. Doctors who distribute narcotics outside the scope of their normal, reasonable medical practice may be subject to prosecution for federal drug crimes as well. It is a federal felony to knowingly and intentionally hand out opioid prescriptions when it is not for a legitimate medical purpose. While a large number of known “pill mills” were taken down years ago when the opioid epidemic first became a known problem, there are still doctors who attempt to discreetly continue prescribing opioids to individuals they know are likely to resell or abuse them.

That said, it can be difficult for federal investigators to fully determine whether or not a prescription for narcotics is based on a patient’s genuine need for relief from legitimate pain. If you are a doctor and believe that you may be under scrutiny for prescribing narcotics, it is important that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.

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 Posted on May 16, 2022 in Federal Crimes

When you are convicted of a federal crime, the next step is sentencing. In sentencing, the judge will decide what the appropriate legal punishment for your offense is. This may include fines, jail time, or a term of probation. You may think that once the sentence imposed by the court is over with, you will be free to move on with your life as it was before. Unfortunately, a return to normalcy is unlikely for most defendants due to what is known as “collateral consequences.” Collateral consequences are any consequences of a conviction not imposed by the court. They are very real and may change the course of your life forever. In some cases, you may experience collateral consequences even if you are not convicted. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney may give you the best odds of avoiding or minimizing collateral consequences.

4 Collateral Consequences of a Federal Conviction You Could Face

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 Posted on May 09, 2022 in Money Laundering

Money laundering is, simply put, the illegal act of making “dirty” money appear “clean.” Generally, this involves making illegally-obtained money, such as profits from selling illicit drugs, look like it came from a legitimate source. Money laundering schemes are growing increasingly sophisticated and hard to detect. With the rise of online and international trade, it is easier than ever for unscrupulous actors to filter dirty money through legitimate businesses. If you own a business, it is important that you keep an eye out for any signs that someone is using your company to launder their illicit funds. Even if you are doing everything in your power to run your business in a legal and ethical manner, all it takes is one criminal to take advantage of you and you could find yourself facing federal charges. If you suspect that your business is being used for money laundering, do not wait to hear from the FBI - call an attorney immediately and follow their advice.

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 Posted on April 27, 2022 in White Collar Crime

The term “white collar crime” started gaining popularity in the 1930s. Crimes involving fraud for financial gain are often referred to as white collar crimes because these offenses are often committed by business professionals. Unlike violent offenses, the motivation behind white collar crimes like wire fraud and identity theft is typically financial in nature. Many white collar crimes are prosecuted by the federal government. A conviction for a federal white collar crime can lead to serious criminal consequences, including substantial prison time.

If you or a loved one were charged with a federal offense involving fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, money laundering, or conspiracy, contact a federal crimes defense lawyer for help right away. Your attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best defense strategy moving forward.

How to Defend Yourself Against White Collar Criminal Offenses

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 Posted on April 20, 2022 in Drug Crimes

Drug laws have changed dramatically throughout the last few decades. More and more states have legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana. Some states are even legalizing psilocybin mushrooms. However, there are still multiple state and federal laws regulating drug possession, manufacture, and sale. Violating federal drug laws can lead to significant criminal penalties, including years behind bars.

Moving Drugs Across State Lines Can Lead to Federal Charges

Drug crimes vary dramatically in terms of punishments and prison sentences. The amount of the substance and the type of substance determine the severity of drug possession charges. Manufacturing or cultivating drugs is usually penalized more harshly than simple possession. Transporting drugs may also be punished severely, especially if drugs are transported across state lines.

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 Posted on April 13, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Federal criminal offenses are generally considered to be more severe than state-level offenses. The penalties for federal crimes are often severe, involving years or even decades in prison. If you have received a subpoena from a grand jury, you may understandably feel confused and panicked. You may be unsure of what this means and how you should respond.

If you have received a grand jury subpoena, it means that the federal government believes that you have information related to a federal criminal case. It is very important to understand your rights and obligations in this situation. It is even more important to retain a skilled federal criminal defense lawyer who can advocate on your behalf and give you the personalized legal guidance you need.

Types of Grand Jury Subpoenas

Grand jury subpoenas are legal tools used by the government to gather evidence during the investigation or prosecution of a crime.

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 Posted on April 06, 2022 in Federal Crimes

Working from home and online jobs are more popular than ever. Unfortunately, many scammers are taking advantage of this situation by offering seemingly legitimate jobs that are actually money laundering schemes. The FBI and BBB have warned of these scams and explained to job-seekers that getting caught up in these scams can even lead to federal charges.

Moving Money or Packages for a Third Party May Lead to Money Laundering Changes

Many people are looking for jobs they can complete from the comfort of their own home or car. Unfortunately, not all job listings are from legitimate employers. One common scam involves inspecting and delivering packages. The individual is asked to receive packages and then re-label the packages and ship them elsewhere. What the package inspector may not know is that the packages were purchased using stolen credit card information and they are simply a middleman in an illegal scheme. Anyone participating in a scam like this could face criminal charges for money laundering or conspiracy.

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 Posted on March 31, 2022 in Fraud

Most students have little choice but to take out student loans. College, let alone graduate school, can be wildly expensive. Gone are the days when a student could work their way through college with a part-time job. For most, taking out federal student loans is the only way they can hope to access higher education. However, students and their families must be careful when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Providing inaccurate information could lead to criminal charges, as could misusing student loan funds. This type of fraud is nearly always handled at the federal level. If you are facing charges for student loan fraud, it is important that you work closely with a skilled federal criminal defense attorney.

What Actions Can Lead to Fraud Charges Relating to Student Loans?

It is easier than you may think to find yourself charged with fraud after applying for or receiving student loan funds. A conviction could lead to prison time, and you could lose educational opportunities in the future. Colleges may be very reluctant to admit someone who has this type of conviction on their record. Even finding employment may be difficult.

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 Posted on March 27, 2022 in Money Laundering

Federal money laundering charges can result in years of prison time. Financial crimes are taken very seriously by the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies. If you are up against charges for money laundering, building a strong defense is your top priority right now. Even after any judicially-imposed penalties have been completed, you could be left a felon. Being a felon closes doors - it may be extremely difficult to find the type of job you want or desirable housing. There are a number of possible defense strategies. The particular strategy your lawyer will use is heavily dependent on the specific facts and circumstances of your case. After assessing your case, your attorney will design a defense that is most likely to work well for you.

What Are Some Defense Strategies for Money Laundering?

There are a number of strategies your lawyer may want to use, some specific to money laundering, and others more general. You may have a good defense that is not listed here, so make sure to speak with an attorney to find out whether another defense could apply to your situation. Some defense strategies for money laundering include:

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 Posted on March 18, 2022 in Federal Crimes

Like everything else lately, medical care has become extraordinarily expensive for the average person. It should come as no surprise that some people have resorted to identity theft in order to obtain medical care. However, doing so can lead to federal charges rather easily. Because most major hospital systems are tied to some form of federal funding or operate in multiple states, most instances of medical identity theft will fall under federal jurisdiction. While a somewhat understandable offense, identity theft remains a felony even when it is committed in an effort to receive health care. If you have been charged with identity theft in a medical context, it is important that you immediately contact a skilled federal crimes defense attorney.

How Does Medical Identity Theft Work?

Medical identity theft is a bit of an unusual, but increasingly common form of stealing another person’s identity. In general, it occurs when someone uses false documentation or provides false information to a medical provider, claiming to be someone else in order to be treated. Forms of this offense include:

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