Government Fraud

The variety of plots that currently exist to defraud the government can often be as multifaceted as the legal system itself. That said, it is not surprising that many innocent people are accused of crimes because they just happened to work for a group of people or a director who was committing fraudulent acts. The federal government takes a serious stand against anybody who is charged with committing government fraud.

Government fraud can be comprised of any acts in which a person, company, or group of people benefit from government funds via dishonesty, misrepresentation, or the exclusion of essential information. Although investigators often distinguish between mistakes and intentional fraud, there are instances where a simple error can cause you to be accused of a crime. If this has happened to you, you may want to seek the services of an experienced San Francisco white collar criminal defense attorney to handle your case. It is crucial that government fraud cases be handled by attorneys who are skilled in defending such cases.

Agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) often play a part in government fraud cases as well. These agencies will commence their own investigations at the time that the unlawful or fraudulent activity is suspected. Given these federal agencies’ financial stature, they can afford for such investigations to continue on for months or even years.

The penalties for government fraud can range from probation to several years in prison. Depending on the type of fraud, a convicted person could spend over half of their lives in jail. If you have been charged or arrested in connection with a government fraud investigation, please call San Francisco white collar criminal defense attorney Chris Morales for a free consultation.