State & Federal Criminal Defense
State & Federal Criminal Defense
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There are many different white collar crimes, from numerous distinct forms of fraud to embezzlement and money laundering. Most of those crimes violate both federal and state criminal statutes. State laws often mirror federal regulations, and people may not understand...
It is quite common for people to try to handle the early stages of a legal controversy on their own. They might only reach out for support from an attorney when things spiral out of their control. That approach can be dangerous for a defendant. They could implicate...
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc., with the National Fair Housing Alliance recently released a report entitled “Have I Got a Deal For You!” documenting the ways in which homeowners facing foreclosure have taken advantage of by companies offering loan modifications that do not live up to their promises. The report was the result of a year-long investigation that…
Former Florida state legislator Mandy Dawson was arrested by the F.B.I. this summer for tax evasion and failure to file tax returns for allegedly underpaying the I.R.S. by $11,889 in 2004 and $12,966 in 2005. Authorities also allege Dawson failed to file income tax returns in 2006-2008. Dawson was released on a $100,000 personal surety bond and cannot travel outside…
At the Marian Gardens Tree Farm just outside Orlando, Gary Williams held a position of trust: in 20 years of employment, he had risen to the position of chief financial officer. As CFO, Williams had unfettered access to company accounts. Over several years, Williams falsified checks, took out credit in his employer’s name and made large cash withdrawals from company…
This summer, Sky Capital Holdings founder Ross Mandell was convicted by a federal jury of mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and securities fraud after operating what prosecutors claimed was a scheme that defrauded investors of $140 million over an eight year period. Federal prosecutors argued that Mandell and others at Sky Capital manipulated shares in two companies the firm owned…
Former Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein is currently serving a 50-year federal prison term for fraud, racketeering and money laundering. Assisted by numerous other professionals (bankers, lawyers, financial advisors, accountants and computer experts), Rothstein convinced scores of investors to pour money into his $1.4 billion Ponzi scheme, which claimed stakes in large legal settlements that did not exist. Rothstein’s scheme…
Former South Daytona, Florida magistrate Jerome Mitchell recently pled guilty to federal bribery charges for using his official position to reduce code enforcement fees on a local condominium in exchange for money. Mitchell’s friend and South Daytona’s acting mayor, Ron Clifton, also pled guilty to federal bribery charges and giving false information to federal officials regarding the same incident. The…
Not all crimes involve allegations of violence or outright theft. Some crimes, such as fraud, are less clear. Depending on the circumstances, such allegations are a result of the perceptions of others. This may best be illustrated in the recent trial of a Florida...
Most probably assume that crimes with severe consequences for conviction are violent in nature. This is not true however, particularly when charges are at a federal level. A couple from the Orlando area is facing that reality right now. They were recently found guilty...