What Is a White Collar Crime?

 Posted on October 08, 2018 in White Collar Crimes

You have probably heard the term “white collar crime,” but you might not know what that term actually means. A white collar crime is generally a nonviolent, financially motivated offense by a business or government professional. The classic example is an employee stealing money from his employer.

In Connecticut, white collar crimes carry stiff penalties. Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately if you have been charged with committing any type of white-collar offense.

Types of White Collar Crimes

There are many types of white collar crimes. Examples include:

• Embezzlement. You may be convicted of embezzlement in Connecticut if you wrongfully appropriate someone else’s property to yourself or to another. In other words, embezzlement is a type of theft. It means you took something that does not belong to you. Punishment varies based on the value of the property. For example, it is a Class B felony if the property is worth more than $20,000. A Class B felony is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
• Credit card fraud. You may be convicted of credit card fraud in Connecticut if you obtain control over someone’s credit card as security for debt, and your intent is to defraud (or deceive) them. For example, imagine that a hotel owner takes down a future guest’s credit card information to reserve their hotel room, but then uses that information to go online shopping. Credit card fraud is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
• Identity theft. You may be convicted of identity theft in Connecticut if you intentionally obtain someone else’s personal identifying information (without their authorization) and use that information “to obtain or attempt to obtain, money credit, goods, services, property or medical information” in that person’s name. Identity theft is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000.
• Forgery. There are different types of forgery. You may be convicted of first-degree forgery in Connecticut if you falsely make, complete, alter, issue, or possess a written instrument you know is forged. The forged instrument could be money, stamps or other instruments issued by the government, or stocks, bonds or other instruments that represent interests in or claims against a corporation. This is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000.

Let Us Help You with Your Case

Do not hesitate to reach out to the experienced and dedicated Fairfield criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner today if you have been charged with a white collar crime like embezzlement or identity theft. These are serious charges, which is why you need us on your side.

Source:

https://www.fbi.gov/about/faqs/what-is-white-collar-crime-and-how-is-the-fbi-combating-it