Exploring Types of White-Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes include offenses committed by individuals, government officials, or businesses, usually with a financial motivation. Perpetrators of white-collar crimes typically use deceit, concealment, or breach of trust to commit their offenses. Common examples of white-collar crimes include forgery, money laundering, embezzlement, identity theft, bribery, Medicaid fraud, and insurance fraud.

Forgery

Forgery occurs when a person, with the intent to defraud another party or facilitate a fraud:

• Forges another person’s handwriting without their authority
• Forges any document to make it appear genuine
• Possess or cash a forged check or negotiable instrument
• Forge an identification card or sell/distribute a forged identification card

Embezzlement

People who commit embezzlement in Ohio may face prosecution under the state’s theft statute. Embezzlement occurs when a person uses their access to or control over the property to use or take the property from the owner for their or another party’s benefit. For example, a person may commit embezzlement when they have access to a bank account or an organization’s funds and use the account or the funds to pay for their personal expenses.

Money Laundering

In Ohio, money laundering occurs when a person conducts or attempts to conduct a transaction knowing that the property involved represents the proceeds of unlawful activity, to commit or further corrupt activity, or with the intent to conceal/disguise the nature, location, source, or ownership of the property or to avoid a transaction reporting requirement under state or federal law.

Identity Theft

In Ohio, a person commits the crime of identity fraud if they use, obtain, or possess another individual’s personal identifying information without that individual’s express or implied consent with the intent to either hold themselves out as that individual or represent the individual’s personal identifying information as their own. People can also commit identity fraud if they permit others to use their personal identifying information.

Bribery

Under Ohio’s bribery statute, a person commits a crime when they:

• Promise, offer, or give anything or benefit of value with the intent to corrupt or influence a public servant or party official
• Solicit and accept anything of value to influence their official actions as a public servant or party official
• Promise, offer, or give anything or benefit of value with the intent to influence a witness’s testimony
• Solicit and accept anything of value to influence their witness testimony in an official proceeding

Medicaid Fraud

Medicaid fraud occurs when a person knowingly makes or induces a false or misleading statement or representation with the intent to obtain reimbursement from the state Medicaid program that the person should not receive. A person may also commit Medicaid fraud when they solicit or receive kickbacks for furnishing goods or services reimbursed by Medicaid.

Insurance Fraud

A person commits insurance fraud when they present or induce any written or oral statement part of or in support of an insurance application or a claim for payment/benefits from an insurance policy, knowing the false nature of such statement.

Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Akron

If you’ve been charged with a white-collar crime in the Akron area, you need experienced legal representation to guide you through your case’s complex issues. Contact DiCaudo, Pitchford & Yoder today for a free, confidential consultation with our legal team to discuss how we will fight to protect your rights, reputation, and future.