Money Laundering Defense
State and federal prosecutors often seek money-laundering charges against prospective defendants in complex conspiracy investigations involving drug trafficking or fraud crimes for two practical reasons. First, the possibility of a conviction on an additional charge provides the government with that much more leverage in plea negotiations. Second, it allows serious felony charges to be brought against persons whose connection to a drug or fraud conspiracy is attenuated at best. Sometimes, money laundering charges are most valuable for the government as a means of compelling cooperation in the prosecution of someone else.
For sound advice based on long criminal trial defense experience, contact the Law Offices of David Elden in Los Angeles at (800) 455-6200 for a free consultation.
Named a Southern California Top Lawyer by Los Angeles magazine, David Elden has more than 35 years of experience with the resolution of serious financial crimes.
In the past, money laundering was the term used for concealing and "legitimizing" the profits from such organized rackets as drug sales, prostitution, or gambling. Money laundering charges were usually brought against members of organized crime families for lack of evidence to support charges on more traditional offenses. Today, however, prosecutors can and will bring money laundering charges against anyone connected with the transfer or deposit of funds that are alleged to derive from illegal sources of any kind.
Prosecutors often seek forfeiture of assets that they claim were acquired through money laundering. David Elden can defend you aggressively against this.
Accounting fraud, tax fraud, certain transactions with offshore shell corporations, or the unlawful import or export of cash across national boundaries can all support a charge and conviction of money laundering, either in purely private or corporate contexts. Indeed, any of the following can represent evidence of money laundering and trigger a federal investigation or prosecution:
- Money order, cashier's check, or wire transfer transactions in large amounts
- Cash deposits in a pattern indicating an intention to evade cash reporting requirements at banks or other financial institutions
- Certain loan, purchase or lease transactions indicating the transfer of cash obtained from unlawful sources
- Misrepresentation of financial data on tax returns, loan applications or periodic reports
- Credit card services used in connection with unlawful activities
Contact the offices of David Elden in Los Angeles at (877) 678-9102 for a free complimentary consultation.
Money laundering can refer to the transfer, concealment, or investment of funds that can be traced to illegal business activities. If you find yourself or your business under suspicion or indictment for money laundering or related crimes, contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of David Elden in Los Angeles at (800) 455-6200.
*Super Lawyers is published as a special supplement in leading newspapers and city and regional magazines across the country. Super Lawyers magazine, featuring articles about attorneys named to the Super Lawyers list, is distributed to all attorneys in the state or region, the lead corporate counsel of Russell 3000 companies and the ABA-approved law school libraries.
Polling, research and selection are performed by Law & Politics, a division of Key Professional Media, Inc. Law & Politics has been publishing legal magazines since 1990 and Super Lawyers since 1991.
