Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud

November 2, 2020

By Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

Mail and wire fraud are a frequent allegation in federal prosecutions.  The lynchpin of these charges is the utilization of interstate commerce to further whatever scheme the government is alleging is taking place.  The US Government obviously runs the postal service and heavily regulates other private postal carriers – and they also regulate interstate communications through instruments such as phones, fax machines and computers.

There are basically two components to both: a fraudulent scheme of some sort and then using the mail and/or wire as a furtherance to the scheme.  The Department of Justice has issued the following guidelines for mail fraud in 18 U.S.C. Section 1341 and you can read it here.  You can read the DOJ guidelines for Wire Fraud here, 18 U.S.C. Section 1343.

Why Does the Federal Government Care About the Mail So Much?

Because it gives them jurisdiction and because it allows them to have greater leverage in their prosecutions.

Mail and/or wire fraud prosecutions can often be a means to an end.  Let’s say the government thinks there is an illegal scheme of someone selling fake widgets in a newspaper ad.  It’s obviously a crime – but it may just be a State level offense.  But if that person is receiving payments in the mail, it allows the Federal government to step in and prosecute if they want.

Mail and wire fraud prosecutions also allows the government to potentially charge additional persons as conspirators if they choose if they had a part in the over-all scheme.

What is the Punishment for Mail or Wire Fraud?

The federal sentencing guidelines dictate potential punishment – as with all federal offenses.  The statutory punishment is punishment by fine and up to 20 years confinement, but this range is very deceptive.  Mail and wire fraud are often brought in multiple counts and often along with other charges.  The sentencing calculation will be unique in every case.

Are There Any Defenses?

You can always contest the search or manner in which the government attained the evidence.  If it was an illegal search you may be entitled to utilize the exclusionary rule to throw the evidence out of court.  Often intercepted mail or wire communications need federal authorization such as a search warrant.  The government is pretty good at this sort of stuff – but it’s always worth examining and evaluating.

If you had a good faith belief representations made by another person were true – it can be a defense if you are alleged to be a conspirator in mail or wire fraud.  But you can’t be willfully blind – that is – you can’t heavily suspect something is amiss and cross your fingers hoping what you were doing wasn’t helping do something illegal.

If you’re a minor player in the scheme – and were so minor as to not be “material” to the scheme, then this is a defense too.

You can also provide “substantial assistance” to the government as a way to lessen the potential penalties or avoid prosecution.  Providing assistance to the government isn’t necessarily a defense – but it can help you avoid or lessen charges in any event.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He is recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 


White Collar Criminal Defense – State Versus Federal Prosecutions

October 31, 2020

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

“White collar” crime typically refers to allegations about business related wrongdoings – frequently with accounting or other executive level indiscretions.

Both state and federal authorities police white collar cases.

Examples of white collar charges can be:

What is the Difference Between State and Federal Prosecution for White Collar Cases?

Sometimes it’s as simple as jurisdiction.  The federal government has jurisdiction over Medicare fraud and federal income tax evasion.  Other times, the criminal enforcement over-laps and either could prosecute if they wanted though they generally coordinate so as to not waste resources.

Why Does the Federal Government Prosecute Some Cases and Not Others?

The federal government tends to focus more on cases of higher financial value.  They also frequently prosecute cases where there are more potential guilty parties and co-conspirators.  You might see a state level prosecution with 3, 4 or 5 people involved in a white-collar conspiracy.  It’s not uncommon, though, to see the US Attorneys prosecution a crime ring with 20 suspects or more.

Differences in Investigation Resources and Capacity

The federal government is a very well oiled machine in terms of investigation and case work-up on pretty much every level.  The US attorney typically works hand-in-hand with agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, homeland security and any other federal agency you can think of such as the SEC and IRS.

State level investigations can be excellent as well – but there is more of a hit and miss chance.  The state of Texas does have a State Securities prosecution team, for example, as well as the Texas Rangers.  At the same time, a smaller police agency officer or detective with far less training may try to put together a white collar case and not really have the best idea of what they’re doing.  Federal investigators can and often do help out state agencies – but state agencies might not always ask even when they should.

Differences in Trial

It’s far more likely in federal court – if you opt to have a trial – to be on trial with whatever co-defendants have not already plead guilty.  This could mean being on trial at the same time with the same jury as everyone else charged in the same conspiracy.

You can be put on trial with someone else in State Court – but it is less frequent and the rules make it easier for you to split the cases apart.

The rules of trial from State and Federal Court aren’t perfectly and completely aligned, but they are very similar.  The differences are a completely different topic which could probably be the subject of an entire law school class.  The differences, though, are pretty technical and can be somewhat minute.

Differences in White Collar Punishment: State vs. Federal

State level punishment can differ drastically from federal punishment.  Federal punishment tends to be dictated by the federal sentencing guidelines and will ultimately be decided by a judge.  Texas state courts give a defendant the option of having a judge or jury impose sentencing – and the sentencing is encompasses a far broader range of possible jail – and in many instances probation too.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is board certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He has been designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

 


Defending Federal Bank Fraud Charges

October 27, 2020

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

What is Bank Fraud?

Bank Fraud can be committed a number of different ways.  Because banks are federally regulated – the federal government can typically step in and prosecute if they wish over state authorities.

Some common scenarios where bank fraud is accused are:

  • Utilizing false or sham companies for the purposes of banking;
  • Illegally accessing and breaching bank computer networks;
  • Illegally accessing bank customer data;
  • Identity theft;
  • Taking bank funds through other illegal means;

What is the Punishment for Different Types of Bank Fraud?

Like most federal penalties – there is an extremely broad range of punishment and typically the lynchpin question is how much money is involved.  18 U.S.C. 1344 is the primary bank fraud statute and it provides for punishment up to 30 years of prison and a fine not to exceed $1m.  But what is more important to evaluating the severity of a bank fraud case is the punishment range on the federal sentencing guidelines.  The single biggest factor is the amount of the intended loss to the financial institution.  Other factors include the role the individual had in the scheme, if any.

Additionally, bank fraud cases can also be accompanied by a host of other federal criminal charges such as money laundering and income tax evasion.

Time is Critical

With all federal prosecutions – time is crucial.  There is no substitute in federal cases for having an immediate and open dialogue with federal prosecutors and investigators.  It can be the difference between being alleged to be the center of a conspiracy, an outside player in a conspiracy – or even making sure the government knows you’re not part of a conspiracy at all.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He has been designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.


What Are The Federal Sentencing Guidelines

October 25, 2020

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

The federal sentencing guideline is an elaborate and detailed chart which are designed to make federal sentencing uniform – or close to it – across the country.

Here is the current sentencing table (November, 2018):

Interpreting The Guidelines

This is the million dollar question.  Literally.  There is an entire manual published by the United States Sentencing Commission (“USSC”) discussing how to interpret the guidelines.  You can visit them here.  Each of the numbers in the center of the chart are the range months in federal prison a person could be sentenced to serve.

Base Offense Level

Very Generally Speaking, the column on the far left is labeled “offense level.”  Every federal offense is given a starting level and this level can be adjusted upwards or downwards based on various factors in the case.

For example, a person typically has their base offense level lessened if they cooperate with the government.  A person normally gets their base level increased if there are aggravating factors for their offense – such as they took a leadership role in a conspiracy.

Criminal History Category

The row at the top of the chart is for criminal history points.  The more trouble the person has been in throughout their life, the higher it can kick the sentence range.

The Guidelines are Advisory – Not Mandatory

The USSC was created by congress as an independent branch of the judiciary in the mid 1980’s.  They conceived of the sentencing guidelines and the guidelines were mandatory for judges to follow until the US Supreme Court ruled the right to trial by jury required the guidelines to be advisory only.  See United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005).

Though advisory, they are still typically followed.  Federal judges can and often do issue “downward departures” from the sentencing ranges for mitigating circumstances.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He has been designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.