Recent Examples of White-Collar Crime in Florida

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, white-collar crime is generally non-violent and involves some form of corruption. Due to the varied nature of business and politics, there is an almost limitless number of white-collar crimes to consider. As the financial and business world evolves, new types of white-collar crimes arise. However, all white-collar crimes have one thing in common: They can lead to serious penalties in Florida. If you have been accused of white-collar crimes, get in touch with a skilled Fort Myers criminal defense lawyer.

LLC Operator Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering 

In May of 2024, the operator of an LLC in Florida pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. These charges represent clear examples of white-collar crime, and the defendant faces decades in prison as a result of these offenses. Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while each money laundering charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. In other words, this defendant faces 70 years in prison. That being said, his decision to plead guilty will likely result in a more lenient sentence – especially since he agreed to forfeit $57 million and two residences.

What exactly did this LLC owner do wrong? He convinced over 1,000 investors that he was an expert in foreign currency exchange and promised they would not lose any money. What followed was a typical Ponzi scheme, where he used funds from one investor to pay the other. He never invested any of these funds, and all of the “returns” were artificial. This is one of the most common types of white-collar crimes.

Five Defendants Plead Guilty to Global Hacking and Money Laundering Scheme 

Also in May of 2024, five individuals in Florida pleaded guilty to 35 counts of money laundering and other crimes related to computer fraud. Each defendant faces decades in federal prison. Their crimes were relatively straightforward: First, they set up fake businesses in Florida and opened accounts at various banks. Next, they allowed hackers to transfer the proceeds of their computer crimes into these accounts. From there, the defendants transferred the funds to businesses throughout China while taking a percentage as payment.

In attempting to hide their tracks, the defendants “structured” the withdrawals to avoid bank reporting requirements. In other words, they were aware that certain types of withdrawals would trigger scrutiny from the banks, and they attempted to circumvent these reporting requirements. A classic example is dividing withdrawals into smaller amounts instead of transferring large sums all at once. Structuring is a separate offense in Florida, and you may face this in addition to money laundering.

Find a White-Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Myers 

If you’ve been searching for a white-collar criminal defense lawyer in Fort Myers, look no further than The Foley & Wilson Law Firm. Over the years, we have assisted numerous defendants accused of white-collar crimes in Florida. We know how serious these charges can be, and we can help you avoid needless penalties. Our law firm also has considerable experience with federal crimes. Reach out today to book a consultation – and get started with a defense strategy.

Sources: 

fbi.gov/about/faqs/what-is-white-collar-crime-and-how-is-the-fbi-combating-it

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/operator-highrise-advantage-llc-pleads-guilty-criminal-charges-related-over-57-million

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/five-plead-guilty-multi-million-dollar-conspiracy-launder-computer-fraud-proceeds