White-Collar Crime | Los Angeles Criminal Defense Blog
Defending Against Telemarketing Fraud Charges

Telemarketing fraud, as defined by California Business and Professions Code 17511.9, involves deceptive or fraudulent practices carried out through telemarketing calls, stating:
“any person, including, but not limited to, the seller, a salesperson, agent or representative of the seller, or an independent contractor, who willfully violates any provision of this article or who directly or indirectly employs any device, scheme, or artifice to deceive in connection with the offer or sale by any telephonic seller, or who willfully, directly, or indirectly, engages in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person in connection with a sale by any telephonic seller shall, upon conviction, be punished…”
Welfare Fraud: Accusations, Prosecutions, and Defenses

Throughout the State of California, local task forces have been established to prevent welfare fraud. These task forces are well-staffed with enthusiastic investigators who build strong cases before handing them off to prosecutors.
Local prosecutors are eager to convict people of welfare fraud. It provides good headlines and helps get them reelected. Prosecutors have a lot of discretion when it comes to which cases they decide to pursue and the type of penalties they seek.
Unmasking Unemployment Insurance Fraud: Common Penalties and Defenses

In recent years California has experienced a rise in unemployment insurance fraud—a crime with severe penalties for those convicted of the offense. This blog delves into the scope of unemployment insurance and the deceptive practices involved in fraudulent claims.
What Constitutes “False Evidence”?

Knowingly preparing false evidence or offering false evidence in a legal proceeding or investigation is a serious legal offense in California. In fact, it’s a felony that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
The courts have a keen interest in protecting the integrity of the judicial process. That’s why judges and prosecutors aggressively pursue defendants when they suspect that evidence has been tampered with.
Defendants who are accused of submitting false evidence will want to find an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom.
Who Is Held Responsible for Invoice Fraud?

Invoice fraud is a type of expense fraud that involves sending fake or inflated invoices to a business. Perpetrators may intentionally invoice for more than the correct amount, prompting companies to overpay, or they may invoice for goods or services the company never received. This crime may also involve double invoicing – sending duplicate invoices for the same products or services.
Personal Use of Business Funds: How Is It Prosecuted?

When business owners use business funds for personal expenses, it is bad practice that can lead to operational, legal, and tax problems. Using company funds as a personal piggy bank for one’s own benefit is not only a breach of fiduciary duty, but also unlawful. For one thing, according to the IRS, personal expenses are not eligible as business expense deductions.
Were You Accused of Accepting a Kickback?

A kickback occurs when someone secretly provides some type of compensation to another person as a reward for doing something in an illicit manner. A kickback is a type of bribe, and anyone who offers or accepts a kickback may be subject to prosecution under California and federal law.
When Is Lobbying Considered Bribery?

The legal line between lobbying and bribery can appear to be thin at times. There is no doubt that money plays a significant role in the political process in our country. Nevertheless, politicians must obtain their contributions in a legal manner. Otherwise, they could face accusations of accepting a bribe.
What Exactly Is A ‘Cybercrime’?

One hundred years ago, if someone wanted to steal money – they had to physically rob a bank, a house, an office, or some other property. If they wanted to stalk someone, they had to actually follow them. These days, our technology has evolved to the point that virtually everyone spends a portion of their day on the internet and benefitting from computer technology – for everything from communication to finances, and home security to national security. Unfortunately, crime has advanced just behind this rapidly advancing technology curve.
How to Defend Against Copyright Violation Allegations

Copyright infringement is a violation of the rights of the creator to his creative work, and as such, any owner of copyrighted work can take someone to court if he feels another party has stolen his work.