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In Florida, defendants accused of fraud-related offenses have the right to challenge whether the evidence presented at trial is legally sufficient to support a conviction. However, courts will uphold a conviction when a reasonable jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt based on the record. This was illustrated in a recent Florida case in which the court reviewed whether the State had provided sufficient evidence to support a conviction for organized fraud. The court ultimately affirmed the conviction, reinforcing that circumstantial evidence and patterns of conduct can establish fraudulent intent. If you are accused of fraud or theft, it is critical to speak with a Clearwater white collar crime defense attorney to evaluate your legal options.

Allegations and Procedural Background

It is reported that the defendant was charged and convicted of organized fraud in violation of section 817.034(4)(a), Florida Statutes. The defendant engaged in a pattern of conduct involving multiple transactions, during which she unlawfully appropriated funds from an account over which she had access but no rightful claim. The prosecution asserted that the conduct at issue reflected a systematic and ongoing scheme, rather than an isolated incident.

It is further alleged that the State introduced evidence that each transaction undertaken by the defendant involved transferring or withdrawing funds from an account in a manner inconsistent with lawful entitlement. The prosecution presented records documenting these transactions and argued that the defendant’s conduct amounted to an ongoing course of deceitful behavior designed to convert money for personal use.

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People convicted of federal white-collar offenses will often pursue multi-pronged appeals, raising both evidentiary and procedural challenges. However, the standards governing such appeals are highly deferential to the government, and courts are generally reluctant to overturn jury verdicts absent clear error. A recent Florida decision highlights the difficulty of reversing white-collar convictions, even where the defendant raises issues such as sufficiency of the evidence, variance from the indictment, and allegedly improper conduct by the prosecution. If you are accused of a white-collar crime and have questions about your rights, it is smart to confer with a Clearwater white-collar crime defense attorney as soon as possible.

History of the Case

It is alleged that the defendant served as an agent of a Florida charter school that received significant federal funds. It is reported that during two one-year periods, the defendant embezzled or misappropriated funds belonging to the school, converting the money to personal use. Allegedly, the amount exceeded $5,000 in each instance, triggering federal jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A), which prohibits theft or bribery involving federally funded programs.

It is further alleged that, in addition to the theft charges, the defendant engaged in a broader scheme to defraud, resulting in 18 counts of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Reportedly, the wire fraud involved the transmission of fraudulent claims or documents with the intent to secure funds to which the defendant was not lawfully entitled. Continue reading →

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Although white-collar crimes do not typically cause bodily harm, the courts nonetheless punish people convicted of such offenses harshly. While the courts generally must comply with sentencing guidelines when issuing sentences, the guidelines allow for significant latitude, and as long as a sentence is not deemed unreasonable, it will likely be upheld, as demonstrated in a recent Florida case. If you are accused of committing a white-collar crime, it is wise to consult a Clearwater white-collar crime defense attorney to discuss your case.

Factual Background and Procedural History

It is alleged that in 2015, the defendant faced federal charges, including four counts of making false statements on a loan application and one count of aggravated identity theft. In 2016, he was convicted on all counts and sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release with a restitution order. The defendant’s supervised release conditions included truthfully answering the probation officer’s inquiries and providing requested financial information. After violating these conditions, a petition for a warrant was filed in November 2021.

It is reported that the defendant subsequently defendant faced a new charge for making false statements on a monthly financial report. Despite an initial rejected guilty plea, a second plea colloquy ensued, resulting in an accepted guilty plea. The presentence investigation report calculated the defendant’s guideline range as zero to six months, and at sentencing, he argued for leniency, presenting testimony regarding his employment. Nevertheless, the court sentenced the defendant to 28 months, comprising 18 months for the new charge and 10 months for the supervised release violation, citing concerns about his history of dishonesty. The defendant appealed.

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Under Federal law, banks are required to report cash deposits that exceed a certain amount on the basis that they may indicate that people are attempting to avoid paying income tax. Some people attempt to evade this requirement by structuring their deposits in a manner that will not trigger the reporting requirement. Structuring is unlawful, however, and it can lead to significant penalties. In a recent Florida case, the court described what evidence is needed to establish guilt for structuring, ultimately affirming the defendant’s conviction. If you are charged with a financial crime, it is in your best interest to meet with a Clearwater white color criminal defense attorney to discuss your options.

Facts of the Case

It is alleged that the defendant, a former pain management clinic physician, faced numerous charges for allegedly distributing controlled substances from his clinic. While acquitted of these charges, he then faced charges two charges for illegally structuring payments from these operations. Specifically, the government alleged that he engaged in structuring transactions to evade federal bank reporting requirements. Namely, he made 22 cash deposits under $10,000 over seven days and followed a similar pattern with 38 cash deposits, some on consecutive days, over approximately seven and a half months. This deposit pattern raised suspicions of structuring. The jury found the defendant guilty on both counts, leading to concurrent 24-month sentences. The defendant appealed, arguing there was insufficient evidence to sustain his convictions.

Evidence Establishing Illegal Structuring

On appeal, the court rejected the defendant’s reasoning and affirmed his convictions. The court explained that when reviewing such convictions, they view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and consider all reasonable inferences and credibility choices in favor of the verdict.

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