What Are White Collar Crimes?
Usually, we associate the word “crime” with people killing other people, robbing banks, or stealing money from another person or establishment because these are the types of crimes that we hear and see on the news from day to day. “White collar crimes”, on the other hand, may be known but are usually unidentified. Simply put, people may be familiar with examples of white collar crimes but don’t actually know that these are classified as “white collar”.
White collar defined
The term white collar crime was first coined by Edwin Sutherland in 1939. In one of his speeches, he defined such crimes to have been committed by a person of authority in the course of his term. He further theorized that these criminals are different from street criminals when taking motives and attributions into consideration. Today, however, the definition of white collar crime is still a subject of contention among experts of law. In a general sense, though, these crimes are nonviolent and are committed for financial gain.
Examples of white collar crime
There are many examples of white collar crime, some of which are the following:
1. Blackmailing
This is an act in which a person threatens to expose secrets, pose physical harm to people or their properties, in exchange for money.
2. Bank fraud
This is when people engage in a scheme wherein the aim is to illegally obtain money from a bank.
3. Extortion
This happens when a person or a group of persons engage in unlawful acquisition of somebody else’s property, money, or other assets by violent force – either actual or threat.
4. Embezzlement
This occurs when a person who is in charge of handling money uses it for personal reasons.
5. Racketeering
When people establish and operate illegal business for financial profit.
6. Tax evasion
When people or an individual intentionally commits errors in filing income tax in an attempt to refrain from paying higher taxes
The above mentioned examples of white collar crime are only few of the actual number of white collar crimes existing today. Aside from these, there’s also money laundering, securities fraud, cellular phone fraud, and many others. People who are charged with white collar crime must seek the services of a professional white collar crime lawyer in order to be duly represented in court.
Looking for a white collar lawyer
Just like in choosing a doctor, you have to choose a white crime lawyer with care. Remember, this is the person who holds your chances in his hands. If you wind up with someone whose knowledge is direly limited and has only been practicing since recently, then your chances of winning at court will likely be lower. Here are some considerations for choosing a white crime lawyer:
1. Is he someone you are at ease with?
You will have to expose all the details of the incident to your lawyer – imagine doing that to someone with whom you are not even comfortable just starting small talk with. Make sure your lawyer makes you feel at ease and unthreatened.
2. Does his rate fit your budget?
During consultation, clarify whether charges are hourly or flat. This should help you get the right expectations in terms of budget.
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Cedric Loiselle is a passionate and versatile writer specializing in a wide range of niches. It would help you a lot if you read his articles especially when you are looking for the best white collar crime lawyer New Orleans can offer, such as those under Ben Bagert Law Firm.
Categories: Tax Evasion, Tax Law Tags: 1%, tax crime, tax evasion, tax fraud, tax the wealthy, white collar crime
Doctor in London Guilty of Tax Evasion
It has been reported that a London doctor that worked in Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee has pleaded guilty to having evaded well over $900,000 in federal income taxes. This was announced by Kyle Edelen, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey.
The 64 year old Werner Grentz pleaded guilty this past week to tax evasion in London’s United States District Court. Grentz agreed to a plea stating that he must pay the Internal Revenue Service the debt that he owes in full.
Grentz worked as an independent doctor for Jellico, Tennessee hospital, and he said that he had earned $356,073 in taxable income in the year 2009. In order to hide his income, Grentz took it upon himself to hide his deposits in bank accounts of the companies that he had control over. This allowed him to not file tax returns or pay federal income taxes. Starting in 1999, Grentz said that he avoided paying $900,068 in taxes.
He was indicted on April 6 by a grand jury. As reported through the indictment, Grentz had earned more than $1.5 million from the year 2005 to 2010, yet he hadn’t filed any income tax return since the year 1999.
Grentz will be sentenced on May 16 in London, and he could face up to a maximum of 5 years in prison for his crime of tax evasion. The IRS, along with the Criminal Investigation Division, discovered Gretz’s tax evasion crime and conducted the indictment that will put him behind bars.
Categories: Federal Tax, Income Tax, Tax Evasion Tags: avoiding taxes, federal income tax, federal tax, federal tax fraud, tax evasion, tax fraud
Man in Washington Guilty for Federal Tax Evasion Charge
A man from Washington pleaded guilty this week to federal charges, as he tried to avoid paying income taxes. With the help of the IRS, the man’s crimes were discovered and will be justified.
The guilty man from Washington is 46 year old Peter Ian Turner, who was last recorded to be living in Washington. He pleaded guilty earlier this week in the United States District Court for attempted federal income tax evasion. Turner will now face up to five years in prison, which will be decided upon in his sentence on May 15 by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm.
According to the reports, the actual account is only for the year 2000. However, he accepted a 21-page plea agreement that was filed in the U.S. District Court, stating that he is required to file corrected tax returns from the year 2004 all the way through 2009 or at least provide substantial reasoning and evidence that those years were filed appropriately and according to the law.
From the reports given, Turner was a pharmacist since 1990 and worked as one until at least the year 2010, according to his plea agreement. At the start of 2000, Turner had stopped filing tax returns to the IRS. Additionally, according to his plea agreement, he attempted to hide the amount of money he made by putting that money, in addition to his property, in the names of acquaintances.
As of now, Turner remains free on bond until his sentence hearing comes up.
Categories: Federal Tax, Income Tax, Tax Evasion Tags: avoiding taxes, federal income tax, federal tax fraud, income tax, tax court, tax crime, tax evasion, tax fraud