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Maryland Federal Embezzlement Lawyer

Embezzlement involves the dishonest misappropriation or diversion of money or property entrusted to a person by virtue of his or her job. Embezzlement laws were originally intended to address the problem of theft by household servants. The charge has since evolved to cover hundreds of possible situations, from a cashier skimming minimal amounts of money from the register in a retail store to a CEO who diverts hundreds of millions of dollars from customer accounts into a bank account in the Cayman Islands. Maryland’s statutes address most embezzlement crimes, however certain violations come under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Any embezzlement accusation must be taken very seriously. If you live in Maryland and you have been charged with embezzlement, contact a Maryland federal embezzlement lawyer to discuss your case.

Federal Embezzlement Laws

The United States Code makes up the federal laws of the United States. The U.S.C. contains 51 titles, including four proposed titles. Embezzlement charges and theft crimes fall under U.S.C Chapter 31 Sections 641 to 670. Embezzlement involves financial fraud where one or more individuals have been put in a position of trust over assets held or to be used for some other purpose. Federal codes address specific crimes of embezzlement:

  • Theft of government money, property or records
  • Theft, embezzlement, or misapplication by a bank officer or employee
  • Theft or embezzlement in connection to health care

Federal embezzlement also includes stealing property from the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Service, Social Security/Social Security Disability Insurance Program, or any other agency associated with the federal government. In some cases, embezzlement is considered a white collar crime. This usually occurs when a stockbroker or a financial advisor embezzles funds from a client’s trust account for their own personal use.

Embezzlement Conviction Penalties

Federal prosecutors take into consideration the type of embezzlement and the amount of money or property associated with an investigation. As with all federal crimes, a conviction carries stiff penalties, which may include:

  • Incarceration
  • Probation
  • Fines

Stealing money or property from the U.S. government could land you 10 years in prison and a substantial fine. Embezzling money from an employee’s pension plan can lead to a five-year jail term. You can be fined as much as $250,000 for a felony conviction. Federal judges also have the discretion to decide whether to impose an additional fine up to twice the value of what was lost by the victim. Severe cases can carry even more draconian prison terms and fines.

Being the target of an embezzlement investigation that is conducted by federal agencies with unlimited resources can be extremely intimidating. Sometimes, the accused becomes overwhelmed with the evidence and fails to mount an aggressive defense against the charges. Some clients know that they are innocent of the charges and believe that they will be exonerated.

If you have been accused of embezzlement-related offenses, do not think that the issues will go away or settle for an attorney who lacks the necessary experience to protect your rights. Not all attorneys have the capabilities and the license to represent clients in federal criminal proceedings. If you have been accused of misappropriating money or property, you will want to speak to an experienced federal embezzlement attorney in Maryland right away.

Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights

In most embezzlement cases, only state laws apply. You can be charged with a misdemeanor or felony. Often, the situation involves an employee who takes money or goods for their own personal gain. In matters that involve investments of any type, the accused will likely need a capable, Maryland federal embezzlement lawyer because the charges will be prosecuted at the federal level.
Federal crime charges must be addressed quickly and aggressively. Remember, you have the full force of local, state, and federal agencies working together to obtain a conviction against you.

Federal prosecutors and investigative agencies have unlimited resources to prosecute you and make your life a living nightmare. Expect them to use these resources to conduct their own investigation and review mounds of evidence in order to get a conviction.

You must put on a strong defense to fight embezzlement charges at the federal level successfully. A conviction carries serious and lasting consequences that can ruin your life as you know it. Penalties include prison time and financial repercussions. Four possible defenses against embezzlement include:

  • Absence of intent
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Duress
  • Entrapment

The Value of a Maryland Federal Embezzlement Lawyer

A skilled defense attorney familiar with federal embezzlement cases will know how to employ these and many other strategies to effectively defend your case. If you get wind of an investigation, or have been charged with a federal embezzlement crime, obtain the services of a federal embezzlement lawyer in Maryland. Attorney Kush Arora is well-versed in both Maryland statutes and federal laws. He also understands the federal legal procedures and how to navigate the federal court system. Call Kush Arora’s Maryland law office today at (301) 761-4842 today for a free case evaluation and to discuss possible defenses for your case.

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