White Collar
The term “white collar crime” was coined in 1939 as a way to categorize crimes of deceit, concealment, or violation of trust. Individuals in the business sector tend to commit these financially-motivated crimes in an effort to gain or retain money, property, or services. However, it’s also possible to unintentionally commit a white collar crime, if you’re unaware of the law or pressured by an unethical employer.
White collar crimes occur when someone gains access to large amounts of money that doesn’t belong to them, and they proceed to misuse the funds. White collar crime can include tax evasion, insurance fraud, bribery, insider trading, embezzlement, and money laundering. This type of crime is incredibly costly to victims, potentially resulting in up to billions in losses. For this reason, the punishment for these types of crimes can also be quite severe.
White Collar Case Area Specialization
John Teakell specializes in several areas under the purview of white collar crime including:
Federal Fraud
Under Federal law, fraud occurs when an individual uses deception or misrepresentation to intentionally turn a profit. Federal fraud is typically financially motivated.
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Identity Theft
This is a serious crime in which someone uses another person’s personal identifiers like a birth certificate or credit card number without permission to commit fraud or any other crime.
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Money Laundering
This is the process of hiding money obtained illegally. Money launderers “clean” money using several bank transfers and transactions to conceal its origins.
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Counterfeit
Alleged counterfeiters are typically accused of imitating authentic cash currency, and then using it to purchase goods or services using deception and illegal transactions.
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Organized Criminal Activity
This criminal activity is typically committed by a larger crime syndicate that engages in crime for profit. Generally, alleged organized criminals are accused of crimes like drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and more.
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PPP Loan Criminal Prosecutions
Under the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through the Small Business Administration (SBA), guaranteed loans to persons and businesses whose income declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Criminal Prosecutions of EIDL Loans
The Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program was the first federal small-business assistance program activated to fight the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Federal Criminal Process – A Short Summary
I. FEDERAL JURISDICTION A. Federal Cases Federal criminal cases are prosecuted in federal court that has a federal connection. An example would be a
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Foreclosure Scam Prosecutions
I. “Foreclosure Scams” The term “foreclosure scam” refers to a plan of action that prevents, or attempts to prevent, foreclosure of residences or other real estate, but involves making false…
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OSHA Criminal Prosecutions
I. OSHA and Historical Actions The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was established to ensure that employees have safe environments to do their work. The Occupational Safety and Health…
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Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
An Overview of Bribery Allegations Investigated and ProsecutedBy John Teakell, Attorney at Law, Dallas, Texas, 2010 The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) was enacted in 1977 and revised in 1998…
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Health Care Prosecutions
I. Types of Health Care Fraud The types of “health care fraud” that you usually see prosecuted in federal court includes: Medicare/Medicaid Fraud-Overcharging the patient for services-Prescribing unnecessary services...
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Money Mules Prosecutions
PROSECUTIONS OF MONEY MOVERS OR “MONEY MULES” Conspirator or Money Launderer I. WHAT IS A “MONEY MULE” Often fraudsters will contact people claiming that they need help, or claiming that…
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What Does a White Collar Lawyer Do?
White collar law is a highly specialized practice. The Law Office of John Teakell conducts research, drafts a strong defense strategy, crafts an argument based on the facts, and works closely with you to get the best possible results.
Most white collar crime is investigated by federal prosecutors, which is why you need a senior defense attorney with experience representing defendants at that level. The in-house investigation process may include a thorough investigation, accumulating resources, and combatting detrimental witness testimonies. John Teakell will work closely with you to formulate the strongest possible defense.
Blurred Lines Between White Collar Crime and Computer Crimes
As technology continues to become more integrated into the business world and daily life, more overlap is seen between white-collar and computer crimes. John Teakell is an experienced legal attorney with over 30 years of experience in working white collar crimes and has a successful record of representing clients charged with computer crimes.
White-Collar Crime Penalties and Punishment
The penalties and punishments for white-collar crimes stipulated in the Texas Penal Code vary depending on the crime and the individual’s criminal history. The baseline punishments for white collar crime in Texas consist of the following:
- Class C misdemeanor: Maximum fine of $500
- Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to 2 years in a state jail and a maximum fine of $10,000
- State Jail Felony: Up to 2 years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000
- Third-degree Felony: Up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
- Second-degree Felony: Up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
- First-degree Felony: Up to 99 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
Criminal Defense Attorney John R. Teakell Can Help
Whether you suspect you are being investigated for a white collar crime or have already been arrested, John Teakell can help. As a former state and federal prosecutor, he has the knowledge and experience you need to contest jurisdiction, challenge evidence, find expert witnesses, and present your case at trial if necessary.
White collar crime is common in Texas and requires experienced legal representation. There are a range of defenses against white collar crime for any accused individual. As an experienced criminal defense attorney, John Teakell evaluates each case thoroughly to craft a defense based on the facts.
If you or a loved one is facing white collar crime allegations in Dallas or the surrounding area, contact our office today.
