Los Angeles Federal Fraud Attorney

Are federal agents investigating you for fraud in Los Angeles, California? You should take it seriously. Federal fraud investigations are often built over months or years, putting you on the back foot when you’re charged. A Los Angeles federal fraud lawyer at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers can protect your rights. Contact us today at (747) 373-0477 for a free consultation.

Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience handling federal criminal matters. We’re ready to put you on the offensive as you defend yourself. 

Why Choose Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers for a Federal Fraud Case?

You may have received a target letter, learned that agents contacted your employees, or been served with a grand jury subpoena. You should act quickly to protect your rights and reputation with the assistance of a Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer, like those with Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers. 

Clients choose our firm for help in Los Angeles, CA, because:

• Our attorneys have more than 25 years of experience handling complex criminal cases.
• We understand the procedures used in the Central District of California.
• Our team has handled investigations involving the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Postal Inspection Service, and other federal agencies.
• Our attorneys have received recognition from National Trial Lawyers, Justia, and other legal organizations.
• We are prepared to challenge the government’s evidence in court when a case cannot be resolved on acceptable terms.

Contact us today for a confidential case review with a Los Angeles federal criminal defense attorney.

When Does Fraud Become a Federal Crime?

Not every accusation of fraud belongs in federal court. Federal jurisdiction usually arises because of how the alleged conduct occurred, who was allegedly defrauded, or where the money went.

A case may become federal when it involves:

• Interstate phone calls, emails, bank transfers, or internet communications
• The U.S. mail or a private interstate carrier
• A federally insured financial institution
• Medicare, Medicaid, FEMA, the Small Business Administration, or another federal program
• Conduct occurring across multiple states or countries
• Federal contracts, grants, loans, or tax funds

Minor conduct can transform a case into a federal offense. An email sent across state lines, an electronic payment processed through an out-of-state server, or a mailed document may give prosecutors the basis for a federal charge.

Common Federal Fraud Charges in Los Angeles

Federal prosecutors often charge several offenses based on the same alleged course of conduct. Each transaction or victim may support a separate count.

Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud

Wire fraud applies when prosecutors claim that interstate electronic communications were used to carry out a scheme to obtain money or property through false or fraudulent representations. Emails, text messages, online applications, card payments, and bank transfers may all qualify as wire communications.

Mail fraud follows a similar framework but requires the use of the U.S. mail or a qualifying interstate carrier in furtherance of the alleged scheme. The mailing itself does not have to contain a false statement. Prosecutors only need to connect it to the execution or concealment of the alleged fraud.

The government generally must prove a scheme to defraud, intent to deceive and cheat, material misrepresentations or omissions, and use of the mail or interstate wires. Criminal liability depends heavily on what the defendant knew and intended at the time.

Mail and wire fraud ordinarily carry up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. The maximum can increase to 30 years when the conduct affects a financial institution or involves certain federally declared disaster or emergency benefits.

Bank Fraud

Federal bank fraud charges may arise from false loan applications, altered checks, unauthorized transfers, mortgage transactions, or attempts to obtain money under the control of a financial institution through misrepresentations.

The government must prove that the defendant knowingly executed or attempted to execute a prohibited scheme. Bank fraud carries up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million per count.

Healthcare and Government Benefit Fraud

Los Angeles federal prosecutors regularly investigate alleged fraud involving Medicare, Medi-Cal, and federally backed loan programs. These cases may focus on billing for services that were not provided, false eligibility information, or misuse of benefit funds, among other things. 

Healthcare fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 generally carries up to 10 years in prison. The maximum increases to 20 years if the offense results in serious bodily injury and may reach life imprisonment if it results in death.

Identity Theft and Related Charges

Fraud indictments often include aggravated identity theft when prosecutors allege that a defendant used another person’s name or other means of identification without lawful authority.

A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1028A carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence that generally must run consecutively to the sentence for the underlying fraud offense. 

What Are the Penalties for Federal Fraud?

Federal judges calculate an advisory sentencing range under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and then consider the broader sentencing factors established by federal law.

In a fraud case, the guideline calculation may be affected by:

• The actual or intended financial loss
• The number of victims
• Whether vulnerable victims were targeted
• The use of sophisticated means
• The defendant’s role in the alleged operation
• Abuse of a position of trust
• Obstruction of justice
• Acceptance of responsibility
• The defendant’s criminal record

Disputes over the loss amount can substantially change the recommended sentencing range. A defense attorney can review the government’s method and argue for the exclusion of unsupported amounts.

Collateral Consequences of a Federal Fraud Conviction

The effects of a federal fraud conviction can linger long-term, well after a court sentence is completed. Licensed professionals may face disciplinary proceedings, suspension, or loss of their professional licenses. A conviction can also lead to exclusion from Medicare and other federal programs and restrictions on working in regulated industries.

Other potential consequences include:

• Loss of employment or business opportunities
• Loss of government contracts
• Immigration consequences (if defendant is a non-citizen)
• Difficulty obtaining financing
• Damage to professional and personal reputation
• Difficulty securing housing or credit
• Loss of firearm rights
• Civil lawsuits or regulatory enforcement actions
• Long-term collection of restitution obligations
• Forfeiture of money, property, or business assets

These consequences should be considered when evaluating a plea offer or defense strategy. An experienced federal fraud attorney can work to protect more than your immediate freedom by identifying the professional, financial, and immigration risks tied to the case.

What Defenses Are Available in a Federal Fraud Case?

Fraud requires more than proof of financial losses. The government must establish the required criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt.

Potential defenses include:

• Lack of fraudulent intent: The defendant may have made an honest mistake, relied on inaccurate information, or otherwise lacked the intent to deceive and cheat.
• Good faith: The defendant may have honestly believed that the representations were accurate or that the transaction was legitimate.
• Lack of materiality: An alleged false statement or omission may not have been capable of influencing the decision at issue.
• Reliance on professional advice: The defendant may have relied in good faith on advice from an attorney, accountant, or other professional after providing complete and accurate information.
• Unreliable witnesses: Cooperating witnesses may have credibility problems or incentives to minimize their own conduct and shift blame to the defendant.
• Unlawfully obtained evidence: Evidence obtained in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights may be subject to suppression.

The right strategy depends on the unique facts of your case. Some cases require a direct challenge to guilt. Others call for narrowing the charges or correcting an exaggerated loss calculation. Our attorneys can help you determine the right defense strategy for your case. 

How Can a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Help?

Do not wait for an indictment before speaking with an attorney. If agents contact you, politely decline to answer questions until counsel is present. Do not delete messages, move money, alter records, or ask another person what they told investigators. Those actions can create additional problems.

A defense attorney can intervene during the investigation and help you protect your rights and interests. Your attorney can:

• Determine whether you are considered a witness, subject, or target
• Respond to target letters, subpoenas, and search warrants
• Review financial records and electronic evidence
• Identify weaknesses in the government’s theory
• Challenge evidence obtained through unlawful searches or questioning
• Consult accountants, forensic analysts, and industry experts
• Negotiate with prosecutors before or after charges are filed
• Challenge inflated loss amounts and sentencing enhancements
• Prepare the case for trial when a fair resolution is unavailable

An attorney can also evaluate how a conviction or plea may affect your professional license, immigration status, business interests, and reputation. The earlier counsel becomes involved, the more opportunity there may be to protect your options.

Contact a Los Angeles Federal Fraud Attorney Today

A federal fraud allegation in Los Angeles, California, can threaten everything, from your freedom and finances to your reputation and livelihood. Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers has the experience and resources to challenge your fraud case and get a fair result that protects your future. 

We have decades of combined experience handling federal criminal defense cases involving fraud. We’re ready to protect you and go to bat for you when it feels like everything else is conspiring against you. Call us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Los Angeles federal fraud attorney.