Companies that do business in foreign countries often run into situations where a government official demands a "fee" or other payment. This puts your business in an awkward position. On the one hand, not complying with these payment "requests" can make it impossible...
Federal Crimes
Money laundering – What it looks like and how to protect yourself
Money laundering is a serious offense, no matter how much money is in question. On a large scale, it’s most commonly used by criminal organizations and terrorists to clean (“launder”) dirty money, either acquired illegally or eventually used to fund illegal...
When possessing or selling drugs becomes a federal matter
Any interaction with the criminal justice system can be a terrifying experience, and can have severe consequences on your permanent record. However, there is a big difference between criminal charges for a state crime and for a federal crime. Here are some of the...
White collar crimes often brought at the federal level
The severity of penalties associated with a criminal conviction depends on the nature of the charges and other factors, such as a Massachusetts defendant’s criminal record. In many cases, the most severe penalties are associated with crimes that have an element of...
Fighting allegations of white collar criminal offenses
Thanks to the internet and the relatively easy access to computers, certain types of crime are a growing area of concern for Massachusetts and federal authorities. White collar crimes are offenses committed with the intent of obtaining some type of financial gain....
Facing tax fraud allegations? Your future interests are at stake
The government of the United States expects every income-earning individual to pay taxes. Every year, most Americans will either pay a certain amount owed to the government, or they will receive a refund. U.S. tax laws are complex and confusing, but violating these...
Massachusetts banker accused of embezzling $1.5 million
A person who works for a bank in Massachusetts often has a great deal of responsibility. A mistake could ultimately result in significant financial losses. Additionally, a mistake could also result in criminal charges depending on the nature of the issues. In fact, a...
Understanding embezzlement to respond to charges
The criminal justice system is complicated regardless of the charges that a person in Massachusetts faces. In fact, those with little legal experience or training often question their ability to make the decisions that will likely impact the rest of their lives on...
Understanding first and second degree murder in Massachusetts
Murder is perhaps the most serious criminal charge that can be leveled at a person. Most residents of Massachusetts understand that murder is the crime of intentionally killing another human being. Less well understood is the difference between first and second degree...
How do federal grand juries work?
Today's media is filled with references to grand juries, especially the grand juries that are hearing evidence presented by special counsel, Robert Mueller. Even with all this news coverage, few Massachusetts residents outside of the legal profession understand the...