Our South Carolina Lawyers have represented many clients on money laundering cases. Money laundering involves the transfer of monies that are a product of criminal activity. For example, if an individual deposits unlawfully gained funds into a bank account or attempts to pay someone unlawfully gained monies, they may be charged with the federal crime of money laundering.
Money laundering came into existence with the enactment of the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, which created two money laundering offenses, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957. To prosecute, the law requires that an individual or entity know that financial property involved in a transaction represents the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity. The “unlawful activity” may be an activity that qualifies as a felony under State, Federal, or foreign law. In other words, the statutes can be applied very broadly, whether the crime involved drug transactions or some type of white collar crime. However, the government has to prove that a person knowingly made some transfer or transaction with monies that were proceeds of a specified unlawful activity.
Money laundering is often in connection with a larger scheme or organized crime operation. We handle a variety of different areas including:
Money Laundering Schemes |
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|---|---|
| Illegal Wire Transfers | Business Fraud Schemes |
| Drug Crime | Mortgage Fraud Schemes |
| Embezzlement | Credit Card Fraud/Theft |
| Identity Fraud/Theft | Tax Evasion |
| Conspiracy | Organized Crime |
Money laundering is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and federal prosecutors more aggressively. As a result, there have been an increasing number of indictments for this crime in recent years. Most of our clients facing a federal money laundering charge are concerned over the possibility of asset forfeiture. Basically, the government can seize any money that law enforcement deems to be derived from illegal activity or purchased from the funds of unlawful activity. It is best to first contact a federal defense attorney to determine whether such a provision applies to you and whether there is any way to maintain control of your assets.
Furthermore, the penalties for a conviction for money laundering can be severe depending on the nature of the crime and can be up to $500,000 in fines and 20 years imprisonment. Being charged with a federal crime is often scary and intimidating. It is a situation you should not go through alone and without advice from someone experienced in this area of the law. This why it is important to contact a federal money laundering attorney if you are being investigated or have been charged with a money laundering offense. Our federal criminal defense attorneys at The Mace Firm are highly knowledgeable and have years of experience in this field. We have federal attorneys licensed in South Carolina, who have handled cases in a variety of federal court jurisdictions. We can advise you regarding the criminal process, what to expect, and all of your available options. If you or someone you know needs a money laundering attorney, contact The Mace Firm for a free consultation or contact us online.
