Posted on July 11, 2016 in Crime
The phrase “white-collar crime” refers to many nonviolent crimes, usually perpetrated for financial gain. This type of crime is most common in the business and financial worlds and may harm the economy and defraud companies, their clients, and their partners.
Arizona white-collar crime comes in many forms. Essentially, any illegal activity done for business or professional gain is a white-collar crime, but the term is usually reserved for individuals who commit crimes at their workplaces. Some major types include:
There are a variety of types of fraud, but the basic definition is falsifying information or using deceptive means for personal gain. Fraud can include:
Bribery is when an individual offers money under the table to another party for some type of gain. For example, a business manager attempts to pay an inspector for overlooking workplace hazards.
Extortion is when someone threatens to harm another person physically or to damage another’s reputation in exchange for personal gain.
Counterfeiting is when someone illegally reproduces protected property, such as copyrighted materials or currency, and sells the reproduction as if it were the original.
Embezzlement describes any situation in which an employee steals from his or her company for personal gain. Taking money from a company expense account and pocketing it for personal use is a good example.
Insider trading is when one trades stocks using knowledge that isn’t public. Stock transactions are heavily monitored, and employees of companies with publicly traded stock are legally prohibited from making stock purchasing decisions based on insider knowledge. Doing so is essentially rigging the system and taking advantage of other investors outside the company.
Kickbacks are transactions involving a portion of the sale price going back to the person who facilitates the sale. People pay kickbacks to encourage steady or repeat business.
Investment scams are when someone tricks anyone into investing money when there is no possibility for a return on the investment.
Money laundering is the act of transferring illegally obtained money through a legitimate business to make the money untraceable. Some illegal operations set up legal businesses to act as fronts for their criminal activity and run the money earned from that criminal activity through the enterprise to hide it.
Tax evasion is refusing or failing to pay taxes. Tax evasion also includes fraudulently filling out tax forms to avoid paying taxes.
Arizona white-collar crimes may be nonviolent in nature, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful. The illegal actions of a single employee for personal gain can have damaging consequences for an otherwise legitimate company, forever tarnishing its reputation or destroying relationships between the business and clients or partners. White-collar crimes inhibit good commerce and negatively affect the economy.
If you’re facing charges of white-collar crime in Arizona, you need to know your rights and have a reliable Phoenix federal crimes attorney in your corner.
For more information, contact the criminal defense attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.
