Some New York White Collar Crimes Are Purely Accidental

Making mistakes is an unfortunate and unavoidable part of the corporate world. Mistakes can teach us better ways to operate our careers and businesses, but they can also destroy a company’s reputation and success. When an entrepreneur unknowingly makes mistakes that blur the line between legal and illegal, it can be nearly impossible to recover.

As criminal law attorneys, we defend those accused of white-collar crimes in New York. Over the years we have come to understand that most defendants never realized they were breaking the law. Some of the ways business owners accidentally commit white-collar crimes include:

• Embezzlement: Mishandling of company funds is another way people accidentally commit white-collar crimes. Perhaps you meant to replace the funds or perhaps you mistakenly used your corporate account for a personal purchase. Either way, you may end up in legal trouble for embezzlement.
• Securities fraud: Presenting your company for trade on Wall Street and other venues must be done with precision. A simple mistake on the administrative side of securities trading could lead to criminal charges.
• Tax fraud: Engaging in tax fraud by accident is easier than you might think. For example, if you operate your business largely from your home, you might feel it is correct to list your monthly mortgage payment as a business-related expenditure. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the law, this is tax fraud.

As you can see, managing your corporate finances is quite complicated. Authoritative guidance is critical to ensuring that you meet your goals while steering well clear of legal trouble. Partnering with an experienced law firm can provide you with just the sort of guidance you need to avoid such trouble.

Continue reviewing our firm’s web site for information about defending your company against accusations involving white-collar crimes.