Miami Gardens Federal Defense Attorney

Federal crime in Miami Gardens

South Florida is no stranger to federal crime. From drug trafficking organizations to real estate fraudsters and healthcare schemes, criminals are drawn to communities like Miami Gardens. Some of the most common types of federal crimes we see in the area include:

• White collar crimes
• Drug trafficking
• Sex crimes
• Child pornography

We represent federal court defendants in a variety of areas of criminal law. Contact us to learn more about the types of cases we handle.

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES IN MIAMI GARDENS FL

White collar crimes are generally motivated by the desire for financial gain or to obtain goods, services, or influence over an authority figure. Some of the white collar cases we handle in South Florida involve:

• fraud
• Ponzi schemes
• embezzlement
• money laundering

Sometimes, people who are not directly involved in a white collar crime may be investigated by law enforcement. If you believe you may be under investigation for a white collar offense, contact us.

SOUTH FLORIDA FRAUD CASES

Within the context of federal law, fraud is a general term that describes the act of intentionally making a misrepresentation with the intent to obtain something of value. Common examples of fraud include:

• bank fraud
• PPP Loan fraud
• healthcare fraud
• mortgage fraud

Bank fraud is a category of crimes that involve any deceptive scheme that affects any financial institution, whether the financial institution is technically classified as a bank. Victims of bank fraud can be a banking customer, a business of any size, or the financial institution itself. Bank fraud is most often a federal offense because deposits at most financial institutions are insured by the FDIC, which is a federal agency. Some examples of bank fraud include:

• card skimming
• account takeover
• check fraud
• wire transfer fraud

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government launched the Payment Protection Loan program to help businesses cover their payroll expenses while shelter in place orders were in effect. Fraudsters saw the rapid rollout of the program and the use of private parties in the application process as an opportunity for illegal gain. Fraudsters applied for funding for fictitious businesses and falsified paperwork. Private businesses that were authorized to support the application process also engaged in fraudulent practices. By the end of the pandemic, the federal government estimated that it lost several billions of dollars to PPP loan fraud. Now that the global pandemic is behind us, the federal government has stepped up its focus on prosecuting PPP loan fraud. If you have been contacted regarding PPP loan fraud in Miami Gardens FL, contact us today to learn how we may be able to help.

Healthcare fraud has become increasingly common in South Florida. Specifically, fraudsters are now targeting the federal government’s Medicare program that compensates Medicare service providers and pharmaceutical companies for providing healthcare products and services to seniors. Any deceptive scheme that is intended to induce the Medicare program to wrongfully issue a payout. Clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and practitioners are among the most common defendants in Medicare fraud cases. Government investigations into Medicare fraud usually require the business or service provider to undergo an audit. Contact a Miami Gardens federal defense attorney if you have been notified by the federal government of an upcoming audit regarding the Medicare program.

Fraudsters view the Miami area’s hot real estate markets as a land of opportunity. Mortgage fraud is any intentionally deceptive act that occurs during the mortgage loan process. There are two main types of mortgage fraud: fraud for profit and fraud for housing. Both varieties occur in Florida. Fraud for profit occurs when mortgage industry insiders use their knowledge, position, or level of access to conduct a deceptive scheme. Real estate professionals sometimes collude to increase the price of a property. When an interested buyer pays the inflated price, the industry insiders split the illegal profit.

Fraud for housing occurs when a mortgage loan applicant provides false information. The applicant may falsify his or her name, employment information, assets, or other personal details. Because banks are more inclined to extend more favorable terms to residential buyers, investors sometimes engage in fraud for housing by using a straw buyer. The straw buyer misrepresents his or her intention to use the property as a personal residence when applying for a mortgage loan. After the straw buyer closes on the property, he or she immediately transfers the property to the investor.

Miami Gardens Ponzi schemes

Ponzi schemes may resemble multi-level marketing opportunities. However, the most sensational Ponzi schemes are investment scams. Investment scammers often work in finance or appear to be legitimate finance professionals or savvy investors. They lure victims in by pitching their scams as the best-kept secret in the finance world. Telltale signs of a Ponzi scheme are a return rate that is well above average and minimal to no risk. Early investors in the scam believe they have made a legitimate investment as the scammer provides regular statements and may even allow early investors to withdraw what appears to be their profits. Victims who are convinced of the scheme’s legitimacy may even recruit other people they know to become investors. Ponzi schemes depend on the scammer’s ability to continually recruit new victims. Instead of investing the victims’ money in an investment product, the Ponzi schemer typically uses the money to fund his or her lavish lifestyle, which serves as marketing to attract more people to invest in the scam.

Eventually, the investors realize they can no longer make deposits. They may also stop receiving statements. When the victims try to contact the scammer, he or she has typically left town and disconnected his or her methods of contact.

Federal embezzlement cases in Florida

Embezzlement is a form of theft in which the embezzler owes the victim a fiduciary duty. The person who steals the money is in a position of trust in relation to the victim. The relationship of trust is often through employment or a business arrangement. Examples of embezzlement cases include:

• a corporate director who diverts some of the company’s money into his or her own personal account without authorization
• a parking lot owner that steals customers’ cars and sells them across state lines
• a club treasurer who falsifies the club’s financial documentation to cover up theft
• a government agency employee who uses taxpayer funds without authorization to purchase personal items

There are several defenses a Florida federal attorney may argue to refute an embezzlement charge. If available, the defense lawyer may provide evidence that the defendant believed he or she was authorized to take the property. If the defendant had intended to return the property, the court may be less likely to convict the defendant on an embezzlement charge. However, the defendant may still possibly be convicted for a lesser offense that has a milder sentence.

Money laundering in South Florida

Virtually every South Florida criminal organization must figure out how to conceal the illegal activity through which they receive criminal proceeds. Money laundering is the process criminals use to obscure the origins of “dirty” money. When a federal agency investigates money laundering, the people who engage in monetary transactions with the criminal organization may also be investigated even if they have no knowledge of the crime. Some examples of transactions money launderers use to conceal their illegal activity include:

• gambling
• placing money into cash businesses
• using international wire transfer services
• enlisting people to smuggle cash across international borders
• purchasing recreational vehicles
• purchasing fine artwork
• purchasing real estate
• trading stocks
• trading cryptocurrency

Miami Gardens drug trafficking defense

South Florida is a major international drug trafficking hub. Therefore, drug trafficking and related illegal drug activities are widespread throughout the region. Drug traffickers work with a network of individuals to import and sell illegal drugs in Florida and throughout the U.S. Oftentimes, a federal drug trafficking investigation will not only focus on the people who are selling or transporting illegal drugs. People who deliver illegal drug distribution and manufacturing supplies, provide firearms, and help drug trafficking organizations launder money may also be investigated and charged. Contact us if you need a tough Miami Gardens federal drug trafficking defense lawyer.

Sex crimes cases in South Florida

A sex crimes conviction can limit your residential options, employment opportunities, and cause your relationships with friends, family members, and neighbors to become strained. If you have been accused of a sex crime, you still have constitutional rights. We represent defendants in sex crimes cases to prevent their rights from being infringed upon. Call our federal sex crimes defense lawyer to learn more.

Miami Gardens child pornography charges

Child pornography laws encompass a variety of offenses that people may not readily think of as pornography. For example, someone who owns an adult entertainment establishment may receive a nude photo from someone who wants to audition for a position as a dancer. The club owner may keep the photo and later realize that the person who sent the photo is younger than 18 and is missing from a neighboring state. An investigation into the case may lead law enforcement to the club owner, who may be charged with possession of child pornography because the person who appears in the photo is a minor.

It is important to exercise caution when sending and receiving adult-themed text messages. Always verify the other party’s age beforehand. If you believe you may be under investigation for child pornography, contact us.

Miami Gardens federal defense attorney

Joffe Law is a leading South Florida federal criminal defense law firm. If you are facing a federal charge, we are the team you’ll want on your side. Contact us today to learn more about our federal legal defense services.