In a struggling economy, the prospect of financial ruin can lead some to make questionable financial decisions. White-collar crime, or more specifically bank fraud, can often begin with a seemingly harmless attempt to get the best angle on beating the system....
Firm News
Woman sentenced for mortgage elimination scheme
A 54-year-old woman has been sentenced to serve 11 years in a federal corrections facility for operating a scheme that defrauded mortgage holders in New York and Connecticut out of almost $38 million. The woman was convicted on June 19 following a two-week trial. She...
Are all white-collar crimes federal crimes?
When white-collar criminal charges catch the spotlight, it’s usually because they’re being charged at the federal level. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that only the federal government files white-collar criminal charges. Whether you face state or federal...
Drug possession and prison
Drug possession often carries harsh consequences, even if one only has a relatively small amount of an unlawful substance when they are stopped by a law enforcement official. From cocaine and hallucinogens to methamphetamine and heroin, there are many different drugs...
Marijuana possession and the risk of arrest
Recently, marijuana laws in many states including New York have changed. According to the New York City Police Department, it is still against the law to possess marijuana. That said, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is treated as a violation and people...
What illegal drugs are Schedule II controlled substances?
Schedule II controlled substances have a high potential for abuse, which can lead to severe dependence on the drug, whether physical or psychological. However, unlike Schedule I drugs, Schedule II substances have at least one accepted use for medical treatment that...
The consequences of drug charges
Those facing drug charges often have a lot of uncertainty about their future and the consequences of these allegations disrupt many facets of one's life. Aside from the possibility of time behind bars and stiff financial penalties, many other challenges lie ahead for...
Examining New York’s medical marijuana laws
The use of marijuana has been a hotly debated topic in recent years both in New York and throughout the rest of the U.S. Some states permit its use (even recreationally), while many others (as well as the federal Drug Enforcement Agency) consider it a Schedule I...
Prescription drugs and addiction
When some people hear about or think about someone being arrested for and charged with a drug-related crime, their minds might automatically assume the situation involves illegal drugs like methamphetamine or fentanyl. While many drug crime cases do involve illegal...
Healthcare fraud is costly for both patients and government
In March, a Virginia-based surgeon became the sixth doctor to pay a settlement to the government following a healthcare fraud complaint. The civil complaint was filed by the Massachusetts District US Attorney against medical device manufacturers SpineFrontier, Inc....