Money Laundering and Offshore Banking

Whenever the term “offshore banking” is mentioned, people automatically conjure up images of money laundering charges and investment schemes. The truth is that not all offshore deposits are tied to the crime of cleaning money. In fact, a good number of these accounts are held by ordinary, law-abiding citizens.   What is Offshore Banking? Put simply, an […]

Written by on November 22, 2013

What is Fund Misappropriation in Texas?

The term “misappropriation of funds” is talked about quite a bit, but what does it actually mean? Generally speaking, misappropriation of funds is any act that results in money being used in a manner in which it is not intended to be. In many cases, it results in an embezzlement charge, which is the taking of […]

Written by on November 20, 2013

Bribery FAQs: What You Should Know About Bribery

It is especially important for public servants to remain honest in carrying out their duties, which is why the Texas Ethics Commission has developed a set of guidelines for these individuals to follow. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in that person being removed from the position in addition to significant monetary fines and incarceration time. […]

Written by on November 15, 2013

Accused of Embezzlement? These 5 Defenses May Work

Embezzlement charges involve the purposeful theft or misuse of company funds or property by an employee. It includes illegal activities such as theft of money or property, unauthorized transfer of funds, modifying financial records and falsifying or concealing financial information. Repaying an employer for the money or property that was embezzled could lead to a more lenient sentence.   Defenses […]

Written by on November 13, 2013

The 3 Most Common Types of Employee Fraud

Recruiting honest and reliable employees is one of the more difficult aspects of business ownership and management. Employee fraud can really hurt the bottom line of any business or organization. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, occupational fraud and abuse is a significant problem for U.S. businesses. Professional forensic investigators report that the average […]

Written by on November 8, 2013

Defense Strategies for Texas Money Laundering Charges

Money laundering allows drug dealers, embezzlers and other criminals to move illegal cash into the legal economy. Even though federal law requires banking officials to report every deposit that exceeds $10,000, creative criminals employ a network of banks, businesses and small deposits to legitimize the dirty cash, making it difficult for law enforcement investigators to prove the origin of […]

Written by on November 6, 2013

Degree Mills: Using a Fake Degree is a Crime in Texas

Schools offering degrees without establishing standards as to the amount of work a student must do or without establishing minimum standards that a student must meet to achieve the degree frequently are referred to as diploma mills. Fraudulently issuing a diploma or using a fictitious degree obtained from a degree mill drains state budgets as […]

Written by on October 30, 2013

What are the Penalties for Embezzlement in Texas?

Theft by means of lying and cheating, as opposed to the use of force or threats of force, has been referred to as a white-collar crime since 1939. According to Chapter 31 of the Texas Penal Code, embezzlement is a white-collar crime that occurs when a person to whom money or property has been entrusted steals all or […]

Written by on October 23, 2013