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
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
Man in Marietta Caught for Filing False Income Tax Refunds
A man named Arnold Tobias Gervais, 34, had pleaded guilty this past Wednesday for an attempted scheme to defraud the IRS for over $3.4 million in federal income tax refunds.
The United States Attorney’s Office and the IRS are always on an aggressive search to sift out those that are cheating on taxes, as they take away from those who have to pay their fair share of taxes, as they did with Gervais.
As stated by United States Attorney Yates, Gervais was convicted for his crime in May 2008 and was given 5 years in prison by the Superior Court of Cobby Country. He was caught for submitting a fraudulent tax return, attempting to get a tax refund of over $600,000. For that charge, Gervais was incarcerated until February 26, 2010.
During his custody, Gervais worked through his wife at the time being to file a phony income tax return with the IRS for 2008, containing a claim for a payment of income tax refund of $811,073. Gervais fully knew that these claims were completely fraudulent. In addition to these false claims, he has been caught for six more false claims, dating back all the way to 2004.
All of his false tax returns claimed that there were a significant amount of wages earned from a fictitious business called “Safety Shoes and More, Inc.” that was recorded to be located in Rome, Georgia. Altogether, the total potential tax loss for the IRS was tallied up to $3,488,135.
Categories: Federal Tax, Income Tax, Tax Evasion, Tax Law Tags: avoiding taxes, federal income tax, federal tax fraud, income tax, tax crime, tax ecasion, tax fraud