Birrell Law Firm Blog - MN Criminal Defense Attorneys

October 15, 2019

What is Wire Fraud

Wire Fraud is a federal crime that carries a sentence of not more than 20 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for organizations. The statute of limitations to bring a charge is five years unless the wire fraud targeted a financial institution, in which […]

October 15, 2019

What is considered tax evasion?

Tax evasion is an illegal activity in which a person or entity deliberately avoids paying a true tax liability. Those caught evading taxes are generally subject to criminal charges and substantial penalties. To willfully fail to pay taxes is a federal offense under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code. […]

October 15, 2019

What Is Securities Fraud?

Securities fraud, also referred to as investment fraud, is a type of serious white-collar crime that can be committed in a variety of forms but primarily involves misrepresenting information investors use to make decisions. The perpetrator of the fraud can be an individual, such as a stockbroker. Or it can […]

October 15, 2019

What is considered a RICO case?

RICO stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (18 U.S.C. § 1961), a law that increases the severity of penalties for crimes performed in conjunction with organized crime. The law states that any person or group who commits any two out of a list of 35 crimes (known […]

October 15, 2019

What is money laundering?

Money laundering is the generic term used to describe the process by which criminals disguise the original ownership and control of the proceeds of criminal conduct by making such proceeds appear to have derived from a legitimate source. The processes by which criminally derived property may be laundered are extensive. […]

October 15, 2019

What Is Insider Trading and Is It Illegal?

An insider is a person who possesses either access to valuable non-public information about a corporation or ownership of stock equaling more than 10% of a firm’s equity. This makes a company’s directors and high-level executive insiders. To be accused of insider trading, you must usually be someone who has […]

October 15, 2019

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft and identity fraud are often used interchangeably. However, while identity fraud refers to a broad category of crimes involving the use of false identification, identity theft is a form of identity fraud that specifically involves the use of someone else’s personal information. Identity theft is defined under federal […]

October 15, 2019

What is Healthcare Fraud?

Health care fraud is a type of white-collar crime that involves the filing of dishonest health care claims in order to turn a profit. Fraudulent health care schemes come in many forms. Practitioner schemes include: individuals obtaining subsidized or fully-covered prescription pills that are actually unneeded and then selling them […]

October 15, 2019

What Are Considered Types of Bank Fraud?

If you’re concerned that you or a loved one are in violation of federal banking regulations, it’s helpful to learn what kinds of acts are considered bank fraud. First, know that some types of federal bank fraud schemes include obtaining fraudulent appraisals, providing false information on applications for financial purposes […]