Defending Individuals and Professionals Facing Fraud, Embezzlement, and Financial Crime Charges
White collar criminal charges can be every bit as serious as violent crime allegations, yet they often arise in circumstances that feel entirely unexpected, like a business dispute, a regulatory audit, an employer’s internal investigation, or a routine financial review that suddenly escalates into a criminal matter. These cases frequently involve complex financial records, lengthy investigations, and prosecutors who are well resourced and determined to secure a conviction.
At Corrao & Robles Law, attorney Nelson Robles represents individuals and professionals throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts facing white collar criminal charges. From early-stage investigations to federal indictments, Attorney Robles works to protect his clients’ rights, scrutinize the evidence, and pursue the most favorable outcome available.
Types of White Collar Charges We Handle
White collar crimes encompass a broad category of non-violent offenses typically involving deception, financial gain, or breach of trust. Common charges include:
Rhode Island White Collar Crime Laws
Rhode Island prosecutes white collar offenses under a range of statutes covering fraud, embezzlement, and related financial crimes. Penalties often scale with the amount of money or property involved, with larger schemes resulting in felony charges carrying substantial prison exposure and significant fines.
Rhode Island authorities frequently investigate white collar matters involving local businesses, financial institutions, and public officials, and these investigations can take months or years to develop before charges are ever filed.
Massachusetts White Collar Crime Laws
Massachusetts similarly addresses white collar offenses through statutes covering larceny by fraud, embezzlement, and financial exploitation. Massachusetts prosecutors have increasingly focused resources on healthcare fraud, securities violations, and public corruption cases, often working in coordination with state regulatory agencies and the Attorney General’s office.
Massachusetts courts treat the breach of fiduciary trust inherent in many white collar offenses as a significant aggravating factor at sentencing, particularly in cases involving employers, financial advisors, or public officials accused of exploiting positions of trust.
Federal White Collar Investigations
A substantial number of white collar cases are prosecuted in federal court, particularly those involving interstate financial transactions, securities markets, banking regulations, healthcare billing systems, or public corruption. Federal agencies commonly involved in these investigations include the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Department of Justice.
Federal white collar cases often begin long before an individual is ever charged, sometimes unfolding over months or years through subpoenas, grand jury proceedings, and extensive document review. By the time charges are filed, the government may have already built an extensive case.
The Importance of Early Intervention
White collar investigations frequently provide warning signs well before formal charges are brought. These signs may include a subpoena for records, a target letter from a federal prosecutor, a visit from investigators, or notice of an internal company investigation. Responding appropriately at this stage can significantly influence the trajectory of a case.
Target Letters and Grand Jury Subpoenas
Receiving a target letter from federal prosecutors or a subpoena to testify or produce documents before a grand jury is a serious development that requires immediate legal attention. These communications often signal that an individual is already a focus of investigation.
Internal Investigations
Many white collar cases originate from internal investigations conducted by employers, often with the assistance of outside counsel or forensic accountants. Statements made during these internal investigations are not protected in the way many employees assume, and information uncovered could be referred to law enforcement or used against an employee in a subsequent criminal case.
Regulatory Inquiries
Civil regulatory investigations by agencies such as the SEC or state licensing boards can run parallel to, or precede, criminal investigations. Treating a regulatory inquiry as purely civil in nature can be a costly mistake if related criminal exposure exists.
Common Defenses in White Collar Cases
Lack of Criminal Intent
Many white collar offenses require the prosecution to prove specific intent to defraud or deceive. Business decisions that turned out poorly, accounting errors, or good-faith disputes over financial arrangements are not necessarily criminal, even when they result in financial loss to another party. Demonstrating a lack of fraudulent intent is often central to a defense.
Insufficient Evidence of a Scheme
Fraud and embezzlement charges typically require proof of a deliberate scheme to deceive. Challenging whether the alleged conduct actually constitutes a coordinated scheme, as opposed to isolated mistakes or legitimate business practices, can undermine the prosecution’s case.
Reliance on Professional Advice
In some cases, individuals accused of financial crimes acted on the advice of accountants, attorneys, or other professionals. Demonstrating good-faith reliance on professional guidance can be a significant factor in defending against allegations of intentional wrongdoing.
Improperly Obtained Evidence
Financial crime investigations often involve extensive document collection, electronic records, and digital communications. If evidence was obtained in violation of constitutional protections or beyond the scope of a valid subpoena or warrant, that evidence may be challenged and potentially excluded.
Consequences of a White Collar Conviction
White collar convictions can carry severe consequences, including:
When to Speak With a White Collar Defense Attorney
Contact an attorney immediately if any of the following apply:
Because these cases often hinge on documents, financial records, and statements made early in an investigation, involving an attorney before speaking with investigators or producing records is one of the most important decisions a person can make.
Work With Corrao & Robles Law
A white collar criminal investigation can threaten a career and reputation built over decades. Attorney Nelson Robles brings a careful, strategic approach to these complex cases, working to protect his clients at every stage of an investigation or prosecution.
Corrao & Robles Law represents individuals and professionals throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts facing white collar criminal allegations and is prepared to discuss the specific circumstances of your case.