Get free answers to your White Collar Crime legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I have an ongoing workers' compensation case due to severe injuries, including ruptured ankle ligaments, nerve compression, and various injuries to my knee and foot. Although I provided accurate medical records through a copy service, the workers' comp company has submitted false records,... View More 
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
Dear injured worker,
Thank you for your inquiry. The information you provided would indicate that your dispute should be handled through the WCAB and by your attorney. The court takes fraud very seriously and can’t issue ruling as to the admissibility of any documentation that was... View More
I'm facing criminal charges for scheme to defraud and grand theft filed by Skateworld. They made financial mistakes, filed an insurance claim for the loss, and were compensated but are still pressing charges against me in Polk County. The sheriff arrested me, and I haven't received clear... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2025
The fact that a "victim" has insurance coverage to cover a loss does not necessarily mean that the fact that a crime may have been committed. It will sometimes lessen the incentive for the victim to want to see the case go forward. Whether to proceed is a decision for the State Attorney... View More
I am experiencing ageism, favoritism, and manipulation, and I cannot seem to get justice on my behalf. Since April 2023, I have reported the situation to the police, but they claim they cannot do anything. I have evidence, including pictures and video recordings, of individuals supporting and... View More
answered on Jun 2, 2025
To address your legal concerns effectively, consider the following steps:
Extortion: Consult with an attorney to evaluate your evidence and determine whether to pursue criminal charges through law enforcement or civil remedies under California Civil Code §§ 1566–1570, which address... View More
I'm a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and I've been noticing that my facility has been allegedly committing insurance fraud for the past 10 months by accepting clients under fake names. I've also been asked to alter withdrawal scales and breathalyzer or drug screening results.... View More
answered on Jun 1, 2025
Unclear to whom you are reporting. 1. Work your way up the chain of command. 2. Contact the licensing agency for your facility. As a whistleblower, you should be protected from adverse employment actions, and if that is violated, you may have a lawsuit.
I have a former independent contractor who worked for me for less than two months. They chose their own schedule and used their own car for helping sell products at shows. I have a written contract stipulating their status as an independent contractor and indicating that any damages or losses due... View More
answered on May 27, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear you're in this situation, but you have done a great job by documenting everything ahead of time. You know more details than I do, but if you have documented everything that happened during the two months in which the person was an independent contractor for you,... View More
I am facing a critical situation where someone intentionally poisoned me with a substance that restricted oxygen to my brain, and the authorities have not provided assistance despite my reports. This individual is now threatening my parents; they have stolen money from my parents' account with... View More
answered on May 27, 2025
Given the nature of the threats and the inaction of law enforcement, you should hire private security to protect yourself, your parents, and your respective possessions from the perpetrators.
When you report incidents like this to law enforcement, they have considerable discretion in... View More
I'm seeking legal guidance regarding my elderly parents' care and financial safety. My younger sister is attempting to take over their finances and put them in an elderly living facility, despite my parents being fully capable of making their own decisions. They are drafting Powers of... View More
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answered on May 16, 2025
You’re right to be concerned. What you’ve described may constitute elder abuse and financial exploitation under California law. The behavior—coercion, verbal and physical abuse, false accusations, and fraudulent changes to financial accounts—raises serious red flags.
You should... View More
I am a minor working as an admin at BreachForums, primarily involved in cybercrime, money laundering, and managing stolen data/accounts, though I don't personally obtain the data. I help middleman for the forum, and also manage their social media accounts and announcements. I haven't had... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
You could be implicated in conspiracy to commit a crime or aiding and abetting cybercrime, even if you didn't commit any hacks yourself. This could include wire fraud and money laundering crimes, or crimes under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) for trafficking in stolen credentials.... View More
After an ex-employee resigned a couple of weeks ago, I discovered they were stealing from our hotel by using a different company's credit card to pay for guests' rooms while taking cash from those guests without anyone's knowledge. This was discovered through the ex-employee's... View More
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answered on May 13, 2025
You need to privately consult with an attorney about this. If you did not facilitate, conspire with or otherwise aid and abet the employee, you would not be criminally most importantly. Regarding your employment status and what you may be subject to given these criminal acts of your subordinate,... View More
I'm receiving financial pressure regarding a video of a dog I posted on my Instagram page, which has 89k followers. A copyright filer contacted me via direct email demanding a payment (initially $1000, then discounted to $500) to remove the copyright claim, even though I've already... View More
answered on May 9, 2025
Yes, based on your description, this situation could potentially be considered an abuse of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) system—and in some cases, it might even approach the line of coercion or bad faith conduct, though calling it “extortion” has a specific legal threshold.... View More
I discovered on May 2, 2025, that my ex-wife forged my signature on a HUD loan after our separation. As a result, I can't sell the home unless I come up with $26,000, and it's now going into foreclosure. I took the home in our recent divorce, unaware of the loan. I haven't reported... View More
answered on May 7, 2025
You can file a declaratory judgment suit seeking a declaration that you are not legally obligated to repay the HUD loan because your signature on the loan documents are a forgery and you did not know about or participate in the loan, having discovered the loan only after your recent divorce, and... View More
I am being arraigned tomorrow in district court for credit card fraud over $1,200. I have no prior record and have never been in legal trouble before. I don't have an attorney yet, and they will appoint one for me. No plea deal has been presented. What likely punishment could I face?
answered on May 5, 2025
Don’t jump right to punishment, as there could be a defense for your case. Hopefully you get a good lawyer appointed. If you do end up deciding to resolve the case with a plea, though, you may be able to secure a continuance without a finding (“CWOF”), which is kind of like a delayed... View More
My cousin, who was my caregiver, took my phone and confiscated all my personal papers. She forged my name on a power of attorney and created another document making her sister a power of attorney as well, without my consent. I haven't spoken to my family in years and can't reach them.... View More
answered on May 2, 2025
I am not sure I understand whether your caregiver had a valid Power of Attorney, meaning one that you did actually sign, and then that caregiver signed your name (which you believe is a forgery) to another Power of Attorney to include her sister
OR whether your caregiver never had a valid... View More
I am facing a licensing suspension or revocation with the Department of Real Estate, even though my legal case is unrelated to real estate activity. My case involves money laundering charges related to buying and selling dollars at the border through exchanges, companies, individuals, and banks.... View More
answered on Apr 24, 2025
Under California law, the DRE may suspend or revoke a license if a licensee is convicted of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a real estate professional. However, since your money laundering charges—stemming from buying and selling dollars at the... View More
I am concerned about the legality of a transaction made by the CEO/President of a nonprofit organization in Michigan, who transferred $150,000 of the organization's funds to a for-profit company under their control. The purpose of the transfer is unknown, and there was no board approval for... View More
answered on Apr 14, 2025
The transaction is questionable. We would need to review the company's articles and bylaws to identify the steps necessary to authorize such a payment, and we would need to review documentation of the payment to assess compliance with the articles and bylaws. Another issue is whether this is... View More
I'm a pro se litigant involved in a civil case in California. Initially filed as a medical malpractice case, it turned out to be a fraud case. There's a record indicating scienter regarding a nonexistent terminal disease, which enabled hospice fraud. I am not the prevailing party and am... View More
answered on Apr 10, 2025
Your reading of CCP Section 663a(b) is partially correct, but allow me to clarify the precise deadlines to ensure compliance. Under California law, a motion to vacate a judgment pursuant to CCP Section 663 must be preceded by a notice of intention to move to vacate, which must be filed within the... View More
I received a payment of $3,000 from someone and forwarded it to my cousin for his business. Later, the sender informed me that they had deposited a fake $8,000 check and used those funds to pay me. Although I had no knowledge of the check, they accuse me of being responsible for the fake... View More
answered on Apr 9, 2025
Dear Los Angeles Resident,
Based on the details you’ve shared, it appears unlikely that you would face criminal liability for the $3,000 payment you received and sent to your cousin. California Penal Code Section 476 and Section 475 establish that liability for forgery or handling forged... View More
I am part of a church where the secretary has been caught stealing over $15,000, according to the church ledger and bank statements. The theft has been ongoing for over 2 years. Although no formal agreement has been made, she has offered to repay part of the money, expecting that we would drop the... View More
answered on Apr 6, 2025
Whatever has happened just becomes part of the case the State will choose either to bring or not bring.
The Police will definitely take a report, and take that report seriously. These are VERY common issues at churches, schools, Greek life, scouts, etc.
The Police just arrest... View More
I was unjustly dismissed after 18 years of employment and am permanently disabled due to a back injury. A group of lawyers allegedly falsified my signature to gain benefits for themselves. This fraud also involved real estate deception that left me homeless in San Luis Obispo, CA. I have... View More
answered on Apr 8, 2025
Starting with the alleged forgery of your signature by attorneys, California Penal Code Section 470 defines forgery as a serious offense, encompassing situations where a signature is obtained through fraud or misrepresentation, as noted in People v. Martinez (161 Cal. App. 4th 754). Your evidence... View More
I was offered a job with Graceland Logistics, Inc for online chat support and provided a contract, which I received through Tik Tok. They requested personal and financial information, including my bank account details. Recently, they asked me to carry out transactions involving Apple Cash, bank... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
You are being scammed! No legitimate company does things that way. They also wanted you to Commit fraud and/or money laundering for them. Your desperation for a job is clouding your judgment. You should report this to the FBI.
Do not do something like this again! Not trying to be harsh,... View More
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