New Jersey White Collar Crimes Lawyer

How Our Office Can Help You Fight White Collar Crime Charges

It is very important that you contact the Pagliara Law Group immediately upon the start of white collar crime allegations against you or your business.

Crimes of fraud, embezzlement and other types of concealment or violation of trust are complicated and convoluted.  The prosecution’s case relies heavily on documents and requires proof of the defendant’s intent to commit a crime. In many cases, prosecutors are open to avoiding a costly and time-consuming investigation.

With prompt engagement of our team of experienced New Jersey white collar crime defense attorneys, it may be possible to have an investigation satisfied and closed before an indictment is handed down  and released to the world. 

Our team is well-prepared to defend you in a wide range of white collar crime cases, including but not limited to:

If you have been asked to turn over computer files or records at your place of employment, your supervisor has begun to treat you differently, or you have any other reason to believe you are under suspicion for a white collar crime, you should contact an attorney as soon as yesterday.

The Pagliara Law Group can step in to put an end to misguided prosecution over false or faulty allegations of white collar crime.  We know what a weak case case looks like. 

Federal White Collar Crime Cases

There are numerous so-called white collar crimes among New Jersey statues and in the Federal Code. If contacted soon enough, our first objective for you is to avoid having charges filed in the beginning. Next our  work is to have any charges against you filed in New Jersey state courts rather than federal courts.

Federal punishment for white collar crime is typically harsher than punishment at the state level. Federal officials also have deeper and broader resources for investigating and prosecuting white collar crime. A federal white collar crime case is undeniably a tougher case in most instances.

Local white collar crime investigators may bring in federal authorities in cases that involve large amounts of money, a large number of people and/or activities across state lines, such as into New York, or across international borders.

RICO charges are federal charges under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act. They typically are part of a series of indictments alleging multiple people have colluded in such crimes as drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling or similar crimes and, as a part of these activities, are also involved in money laundering, obstruction of justice, bribery, extortion, loan sharking, etc.

Filing RICO charges is often a method of piling up the number of federal charges by alleging the target has operated one or more illegal enterprises.

The FBI’s corporate fraud investigations primarily focus on:

Falsification of financial information

• False accounting entries or misrepresentations of financial condition
• Fraudulent trades designed to inflate profits or hide losses
• Illicit transactions designed to evade regulatory oversight

Self-dealing by corporate insiders

• Insider trading (trading based on material, non-public information)
• Kickbacks (payment made to someone who has facilitated a financial transaction or appointment to a position)
• Misuse of corporate property for personal gain
• Individual tax violations related to self-dealing

Fraud in connection with an otherwise legitimately operated mutual hedge fund

• Late trading
• Certain market-timing schemes
• Falsification of net asset values

Any indictment or charge alleging a white collar crime should be addressed immediately and fought vigorously.

Some prosecutors will look to make a name for themselves by winning a high-profile white collar crime case.

But whether at the state or federal level, prosecutors must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt before they can obtain a conviction in a white collar crime case.

Making a deal that benefits a defendant facing white collar crime charges in New Jersey requires the defense team to have positive professional relationships with prosecutors in the applicable state or federal court. It also requires full understanding of state and federal law as it pertains to fraud and other white collar offenses.

We will take early and aggressive action to ensure you have a strong and thorough legal defense. Over the years, we have protected the rights of thousands of clients by stopping illegitimate cases from going forward, negotiating reduced charges and penalties, and by presenting strong and persuasive cases to judges and juries when necessary.

Is Your Company Facing White Collar Crime Allegations?

Sometimes, allegations of fraud or other white collar crimes pose a threat to a business in addition to individuals named in indictments. Successful criminal prosecution could make the business entity vulnerable to costly civil lawsuits brought by the federal or state government, or by the alleged victims of the original offenses.

If a white collar crime investigation, charge, trial, etc., becomes a public scandal, a business may suffer irreparable harm, even after a favorable conclusion to the case.

At the first glimpse of a criminal investigation involving your business or one or more of your employees, you should obtain the services of an experienced legal team that can respond to any allegations or prosecution for white collar crimes.

Our law office can  start internal investigations to determine whether corporate criminal liability is a possibility. We can counsel company leaders about such potential issues as waiver of privilege and document production requests. As we investigate employees, we can advise as to whether certain individuals should be referred to separate counsel, and whether entering joint defense agreements (JDAs) will be beneficial to the company.

Responding to a white collar crime investigation is time-consuming and costly for any business. A case that should be resolved quickly can easily spin out of control and cause unnecessary, if not fatal, damage to the company. But our experienced legal team understands the expectations of prosecutors, and can manage the case in a manner that mitigates costs and the potential legal damage.

If wrongdoing has occurred, we can negotiate with prosecutors to determine whether a plea bargain to reduce charges and punishment in exchange for cooperation is in your best interests. We will fully advise you of any offers made by prosecutors, as well as the pros and cons of agreeing to plead guilty. The decision is always the client’s, and we always prepare to fight charges in court.

White collar offenses may be punished by fines, forfeitures, and payment of restitution to victims, as well as for the cost of prosecution. If the defendant has no previous criminal charges on their record, there may be several diversion programs available for avoiding prison time, including New Jersey’s Conditional Discharge (probation).

Contact Our New Jersey White Collar Crime Attorneys Today

Do not wait.  Defend at the first sign you or your business is under investigation for fraud or any other type of white collar crime. A white collar crime indictment can lead to prison time and fines, and may unfairly ruin a business you have worked hard to build. We have the skills and resources to see your case through to the best possible conclusion.

Schedule a free consultation with our aggressive New Jersey white collar crime lawyers now.