Las Vegas White Collar Crime Attorneys
Respected Criminal Defense Attorneys Defending Clients Facing all Types of White Collar Crimes
White Collar Criminal Defense
Team Lead
They don’t call Las Vegas “Sin City” for no reason. Las Vegas, Nevada has a long history of organized crime, which, over the years, has evolved to include many white collar crimes. The federal government recognizes the recent increase in Las Vegas white collar crime and has adopted an aggressive approach to the prosecution of these offenses. A federal white collar crime investigation can have a profound effect not only on your business but also on your personal life, subjecting you to the possibility of federal incarceration. Thus, if you recently learned you are the subject of a white collar criminal investigation, you must take immediate action to protect your interests.
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At Oberheiden, P.C., our team of white collar criminal defense lawyers provides clients with aggressive, personalized, and effective representation throughout every stage of the process. We are highly experienced in handling some of the most complex financial crimes in the county and know exactly what to expect from the prosecution. We use our advanced knowledge and extensive experience to create compelling defense strategies uniquely suited to each of our clients’ situations. Several of our senior federal criminal defense attorneys spent years working in high-ranking positions with the federal government, prosecuting the very crimes we now defend against. This knowledge provides us with additional insight into how to effectively defend against even the toughest white collar cases.
What Is White Collar Crime?
The term white collar crime is broadly used to describe a host of different financial crimes. Most white collar crimes involve some type of false or misleading statement made to advance the financial interests of the person making the statement. Prosecutors can bring white collar prosecutions in state or federal court. However, often federal prosecutors end up handling white collar crimes. This is usually because white collar crimes almost always involve some form of interstate communication, whether it be through the phone, mail or internet. Additionally, federal prosecutors have the vast resources necessary to handle these complex cases.
Depending on the nature of the alleged offenses, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Internal Revenue Service are the federal agencies spearheading most white collar criminal investigations.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Dr. Nick Oberheiden
Founder
Attorney-at-Law
Lynette S. Byrd
Former Department of Justice
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney
Local Trial & Defense Counsel
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Michael Koslow
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Types of White Collar Crimes Oberheiden, P.C. Attorneys Handle in Las Vegas
At Oberheiden, P.C., our veteran team of white collar criminal defense attorneys represent individuals and businesses in a wide range of white collar crimes. We regularly defend clients against some of the most high-stakes and well-known white collar cases in the country. Whether you are an executive, business owner, physician, board member or individual, we have the knowledge, experience and dedication necessary to provide you with the defense you need, deserve and are entitled to.
Some of the cases our Laws Vegas white collar criminal defense attorneys frequently handle include:
Corporate Fraud
Corporate fraud involves any type of illegal business activity that is intended to advance the interests of the person or company engaging in the conduct. Often, corporate fraud involves the actions of executives who seek to give themselves or their business an unfair advantage. The FBI can bring corporate fraud charges against an executive in their individual capacity or against the company itself. According to the FBI, investigating corporate fraud is one of their “highest criminal priorities.” Some of the most common types of corporate fraud include:
- Falsification of financial information;
- Self-dealing by corporate insiders; and
- Hedge fund fraud.
Embezzlement
The crime of embezzlement is similar to a traditional theft offense in that it involves the misappropriation—or theft—of another’s property. However, the primary difference between theft and embezzlement—and what makes embezzlement a white collar crime—is that embezzlement involves the misappropriation of property that is lawfully obtained. For example, executives who use company assets for personal purposes may face embezzlement charges. Embezzlement is especially common in Las Vegas, where prosecutors are on the lookout for anyone who embezzles funds to gamble or pay off a gambling debt.
Money Laundering
Money laundering involves engaging in actions intended to make illicitly obtained money appear as though it came from a legitimate source. While money laundering is commonly associated with organized crime and the drug trade, federal investigators also target businesses who may have engaged in illegal activity related to a legitimate business. For example, common targets of money laundering investigations include:
- Healthcare providers alleged to have engaged in fraudulent billing practices;
- Financial advisors alleged to have participated in complex financial crimes; and
- Public officials alleged to have accepted bribes.
Investment Fraud
The crime of investment fraud most often involves the use of complex investment schemes to mislead investors. Sometimes, these investments are pitched as low- or no-risk investments, but, in reality, the risk involved is significant. The most common examples of investment fraud include:
- Ponzi schemes;
- Pyramid schemes;
- Penny-stock fraud;
- Pump-and-dump schemes;
- Advance-fee fraud;
- Offshore investing; and
- Offering risk-inappropriate investments.
Mail and Wire Fraud
Mail and wire fraud is defined as any fraudulent activities carried out through the mail, over the internet, or through the use of a telecommunications device. Given that most white collar crimes involve the use of these facilities, federal prosecutors frequently bring charges of wire and mail fraud in addition to other white collar crimes. In fact, these charges often serve as the basis for a federal court’s jurisdiction, as any crime involving the internet, the postal service, or telecommunications devices can fall within federal court jurisdiction. By bringing mail fraud or wire fraud charges against a white collar criminal defendant, prosecutors increase their leverage over the defendant by subjecting them to vastly heightened penalties.
Healthcare Fraud
While healthcare fraud isn’t commonly associated with other types of financial crimes, it meets the strict definition of white collar crime. Healthcare fraud is also one of the most common forms of white collar crime. Healthcare fraud involves any action designed to illicitly obtain funds from a private or federally backed healthcare program. Many healthcare fraud prosecutions focus on providers who submit a significant portion of their billing through Medicare. Healthcare fraud comes in many forms, including:
- Illegal kickbacks;
- False and fraudulent billing;
- Billing for medically unnecessary services, equipment and procedures;
- Upcoding;
- Fraudulent certification;
- Billing for non-existent patients; and
- Billing for services not rendered.
Whatever the nature of the financial crimes you face, the white collar criminal defense attorneys at Oberheiden, P.C., are well suited to assist in your defense. We have extensive, hands-on experience defending clients at every stage of the process, starting from the moment we get involved in your case.
The Oberheiden, P.C. Advantage
If you face white collar crimes in Las Vegas, one of the most important decisions you make related to your case is which attorney you select to represent you. Undoubtedly, there are dozens of Las Vegas white collar defense lawyers eager to represent you. And, most of these attorneys can effectively handle your case. However, when it comes to something as important as your future and your freedom, you deserve more than an “effective” attorney. At Oberheiden, P.C., we provide each of our many clients with exceptional representation.
Oberheiden, P.C. white collar criminal defense lawyers enjoy a nationwide reputation for excellence. This isn’t something given to us; we’ve earned this reputation by aggressively advocating on behalf of countless clients. In fact, Oberheiden, P.C. has handled more than many federal jury trials and over 2,000 cases that we were able to resolve without the need for a trial. Many of these cases ended without the filing of formal criminal charges because we were able to intervene early on in the process and convince prosecutors to withdraw charges.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Should I Do if I Learn of a Pending White Collar Investigation?
If you or your company is under investigation for the commission of a white collar crime, it is important you take immediate steps to protect your interests. The following are among the things you should do the moment you learn of the investigation:
- Seek out an experienced Las Vegas white collar criminal defense attorney;
- Do not speak to any law enforcement agency unless instructed to do so by your lawyer;
- Instruct your employees about the importance of only providing the necessary information to investigators;
- Determine whether any internal remedial efforts may reduce the chances of a further investigation; and
- Devise and execute a comprehensive defense strategy to attack the government’s allegations on all fronts.
At Oberheiden, P.C., our team of white collar criminal defense lawyers are ready to discuss your case with you and begin creating a defense strategy custom-tailored to the risks you currently face.
What Should I Look for When Searching for a Las Vegas White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney?
When facing a white collar criminal investigation, it is imperative that you seek out a law firm with specific experience handling cases similar to the one the government is bringing against you. Not only that, but you should also ensure that the law firm you select has knowledge of your particular industry. Other considerations include:
- Does the law firm employ senior-level attorneys who formerly worked as federal prosecutors?
- Are the firm’s lawyers available to answer your questions and address your concerns whenever they come up?
- Will you be working with a single lawyer or a team of lawyers who collaborate to develop a comprehensive defense strategy?
- What is the firm’s track record of success when it comes to similar white collar crime cases?
- Does the firm provide all prospective clients with a free consultation?
At Oberheiden, P.C., we check all these boxes. Our team of white collar defense lawyers has notable experience, and many of our lawyers worked as federal prosecutors before joining the firm.
Should I Speak with Federal Investigators, Explaining I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong?
Absolutely not. There are a few problems with this approach. First, unless you command an in-depth understanding of the complex white collar criminal statutes, you cannot be sure that your actions—although innocent in intent—did not violate the law. The last thing you want is to talk yourself into trouble while attempting to get yourself out of it. Additionally, federal investigators typically keep their cards close to their vest when investigating a crime, as not to compromise the investigation. If investigators are reaching out to you, it may mean that they lack the important evidence needed to seek an indictment. By talking to them, you only risk filling in these evidentiary gaps, which may result in an indictment. The better option is to reach out to a dedicated white collar criminal defense attorney at Oberheiden, P.C. to discuss the situation and develop a plan of action.
Contact Oberheiden. P.C. to Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced White Collar Defense Attorney Serving Las Vegas
If you face federal white collar criminal charges in Las Vegas, contact Oberheiden, P.C for immediate assistance. Our attorneys are standing by to discuss your case, explain the process, answer your questions, and offer whatever assistance we can. You can reach our white collar criminal defense lawyers at 702-213-9490 or reach us online through our contact form.
Lawyers of Oberheiden P.C. are not certified in any way as experts or specialists.