7 Types of White Collar Crimes Under Wisconsin Law

 Posted on July 30, 2023 in Criminal Law

In the state of Wisconsin, white collar crimes are serious offenses that involve deceit, fraud, or other forms of non-violent theft, and they are typically committed by individuals or businesses for financial gain. These crimes are often very sophisticated, and they can cause significant financial losses and other forms of harm for victims and society as a whole. These offenses are taken seriously by law enforcement officials and prosecutors, and those who are accused of fraud or related crimes will need to understand the nature of the charges they are facing and their options for defense. Some common types of white collar crimes include:

Embezzlement

This offense occurs when a person who has been entrusted with someone else's money or property misappropriates or steals those assets for personal gain. In many cases, embezzlement will involve an employee stealing money or property from their employer, but others may face theft charges if they are given control of someone else’s money or other assets and keep property for themselves with the intent of depriving the original owner of their ownership rights. Embezzlement charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the value of the stolen assets.

Fraud

This offense can encompass a wide range of deceptive practices that are intended to deceive another party for personal gain. In Wisconsin, common types of fraud include:

• Credit card fraud, such as using someone else's credit card without their consent.

• Identity theft, which involves using another person's personal information to access accounts, steal money, make illegal purchases, or obtain loans or credit.

• Insurance fraud, which may involve making false statements or claims to obtain insurance benefits illegally.

Bribery and Corruption

Bribery involves offering, giving, receiving, soliciting, or accepting something valuable (including money, assets, or services) with the intention of influencing an official's actions unlawfully. Corruption refers more broadly to the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Both bribery and corruption are serious white collar crimes under Wisconsin law.

Money Laundering

This offense may include any actions that are meant to make illicitly obtained money appear legal. In many cases, people who earn money through drug crimes or other illegal acts may engage in complex banking transfers or commercial transactions in order to make it look as if they earned the money through legitimate employment.

Securities Fraud

This form of fraud involves the manipulation of financial markets through false or misleading information regarding stocks, bonds, commodities, or other investment instruments. This type of fraud can have significant consequences for investors, and it may lead to investigations by federal officials at agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). People accused of this offense may face criminal charges at either the state or federal level.

Tax Evasion

Individuals or businesses may engage in actions in which they attempt to avoid paying their fair share of taxes owed to the government. This may include misreporting income or losses, claiming illegal deductions, failing to file the proper tax returns and other forms, or failing to report certain types of assets. Depending on whether taxpayers engaged in illegal activities related to state or federal taxes, they may face investigations by the IRS or the state of Wisconsin that could lead to criminal charges.

Cybercrime

In today's digital age, computer and internet crimes have become increasingly prevalent. Wisconsin law addresses multiple different forms of cybercrime, including hacking, internet fraud, and identity theft. While some of these offenses will be prosecuted as theft or fraud, other types of charges may apply if a person is accused of illegally accessing computers or networks or taking actions that caused damage to computer systems or data.

Contact Our Waukesha White Collar Crime Defense Lawyers

If you have been accused of fraud, embezzlement, or other white collar crimes, it is crucial to seek professional legal representation without delay. An experienced Waukesha County fraud defense attorney from Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP can help you build a strong defense strategy and protect your rights throughout the legal process. Call us at 262-232-6699 to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/943.82

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/943.201

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/943.70