Large drug operations and human trafficking rings are all cash businesses – and that means their operators have to find a way to disguise the origins of that money before they can use any of it without attracting a lot of attention from the authorities. That’s where...
Federal Crimes
New York couple facing federal charges related to a crypto hack
A New York couple is facing federal charges for allegedly trying to launder some $4.5 billion worth of cryptocurrency (crypto). It was taken in a hack of Bitfinex, a crypto exchange, back in 2016. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has seized $3.6 billion of that money....
Understanding your obligations if you receive a subpoena
No one wants to receive a subpoena. However, receiving one isn’t typically as dramatic as it’s made to appear on television. Unless you’ve been attempting to evade a subpoena (which is an unwise, essentially pointless thing to do), the person who serves it isn’t...
What happens if you’re named in a HIPAA privacy complaint?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and specifically its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), is responsible for overseeing and enforcing compliance with the Privacy and Security Rules that are part of HIPAA. Anyone who has a complaint about...
What’s the difference between a state and federal drug charge?
Drug crimes can fall under either state or federal jurisdiction. If you find yourself asking why it matters if state or federal prosecutors will be handling your case, it comes down; each court system has its own way of handling cases. Your knowledge of this...
Can federal investigators tap your phone?
When someone is the subject of a federal investigation, the investigators may believe they will divulge sensitive information over the phone. If they’re looking for evidence to back up their case, you can imagine that this is a popular way to get it. But can they...
Health care fraud involving insurance is often a federal offense
To many people, health care fraud seems like a victimless crime. Many medical practices operate on a narrow margin, meaning they need to produce as much revenue as possible. Insurance contracts often limit what a medical provider can charge for their services, which...
Did your actions rise to the level of securities fraud?
There are many investment choices out there, and savvy investors are always looking for options that will get them the best returns. The investment opportunities available to consumers are so endless and ever-evolving that regulators even find it challenging to keep...
Witness, person of interest or target of a federal investigation: Which are you?
Federal investigations can dig both broad and deep -- and not everybody who gets subpoenaed ends up facing charges. Often, the language that’s used by the authorities to describe someone connected to an investigation is a clue about their status. Whether you’re a...
What you should know about the federal government’s conviction rate
It doesn't matter what kind of criminal charges you're facing: You're worried. But hearing that you're facing federal charges instead of state charges can automatically make your anxiety over your situation even worse. Not only are federal charges generally subject to...