Money Laundering Charges are Very Common in Federal Court
Federal Money Laundering
“The thing with money is, it makes you do things you don’t want to do.”
Federal Money Laundering in Michigan
At its most basic form, 18 USC §1956 prohibits one from taking the proceeds of an illegal activity and hiding or otherwise converting the funds. Within the federal money laundering statute are three separate subsections, each with their own set of laws that controls what is or is not illegal. Viewing the money laundering statute, these sections are (1) domestic financial transactions, (2) international transportation, and (3) undercover investigations.
Use of Money Laundering in Federal Cases in Michigan
Federal money laundering charges are used by the Government frequently in many different ways. First, it is extremely common to have a money laundering charge included in a drug conspiracy case. This is because cash or other items of value are generally discovered in these investigations. For example, in a Sinoloa Cartel case, one of our client’s was discovered with two million dollars in a Louis Vuitton suitcase. The Government charged her with money laundering.
Money Laundering as a Stand-Alone Charge
Federal prosecutors sometimes build entire cases based on money laundering. This is especially true in the tax fraud cases, as money laundering is charged when one is trying to avoid paying federal taxes. Federal money laundering charges are very serious and prison time and extreme fines are the result if you are convicted.
Money Laundering Defenses
There are many different ways to defend a federal money laundering case. First, it is vital to have your own expert perform an accounting investigation. Second, a street investigation is also imperative to success. Third, aggressive litigation, essentially pounding down the Government, gives you your best chance of shaping the case for trial in a way that gives you the best chance of winning. Given these issues, calling an experienced federal criminal defense attorney from Michigan will get you going in the right direction. So contact us today and let’s go over your case.