Posted on August 15, 2025 in Computer Crimes

Facing an accusation of internet crimes can be overwhelming, especially when federal law is involved. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is one of the most powerful tools prosecutors use in these cases. Because violations of this law are federal crimes, they often carry steep penalties, including prison time and heavy fines. If you are under investigation, working with a knowledgeable Dallas, TX internet crime defense attorney is the first step in protecting your rights and developing a strategic defense.

What Is the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?

The CFAA, codified under 18 U.S.C. § 1030, is a federal law originally passed in 1986 to protect government and financial computer systems. Over time, Congress expanded it to cover nearly any computer connected to the internet. In the broad sense, it prohibits unauthorized access to computers, networks, and data. Federal prosecutors often use the CFAA when someone is accused of hacking, taking information, or improperly using a company’s computer system.

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 Posted on July 29, 2025 in Money Laundering

Money laundering is a serious offense in Texas and at the federal level. Law enforcement agencies aggressively investigate and prosecute these crimes due to their connection with drug trafficking, fraud, and other illegal enterprises. The penalties can be severe, and even a conviction on state charges can lead to a long prison sentence and hefty fines. If you are under investigation or facing charges, speak to a Dallas, TX money laundering defense lawyer as soon as possible.

What Is Money Laundering Under Texas Law?

According to Texas Penal Code § 34.02, a person commits money laundering when they knowingly engage in financial transactions involving proceeds from criminal activity. This could include actions like transferring, spending, investing, or concealing money that was not legally acquired.

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 Posted on July 17, 2025 in Fraud

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created to help businesses keep workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As billions of dollars were distributed, federal and state authorities started investigating people suspected of PPP loan fraud. If you are facing accusations, a Dallas, TX PPP loan fraud defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options.

What Does It Mean To Be Charged With PPP Loan Fraud?

PPP loan fraud happens when someone lies or uses false information to get money from the program. This might involve lying about the number of employees, making up fake businesses, using the money for personal expenses instead of business needs, or submitting fake documents to support the loan application or forgiveness.

If you have been accused of PPP loan fraud, you may face both federal and state charges. For example, U.S. statute § 1343 makes it a crime to use wires or electronic communication to commit fraud. This includes online loan applications, emails, or bank transfers connected to PPP funds.

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 Posted on June 20, 2025 in White Collar Crime

By some estimates, insider trading – a white-collar crime - goes on at least four times more than regulators catch and prosecute. Despite this, insider trading is one of the most closely scrutinized white-collar crimes in the financial world. When one person buys or sells securities based on material, non-public information that affords him or her an unfair advantage over other "regular" investors, this is known as insider trading.

Insider trading violations can result in severe civil and criminal penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment. If you are facing allegations of insider trading, it is important that you understand the potential legal penalties as well as defense strategies that could result in the charges being dropped, lowered, or could result in a not-guilty verdict. Since insider trading is usually a federal crime with both civil and criminal penalties, it is advisable to consult an experienced Dallas, TX white-collar crimes lawyer.  

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 Posted on June 05, 2025 in White Collar Crime

For those charged federally for a white-collar crime, there are few factors that can carry as much weight in a plea agreement as cooperation. An individual who is willing to assist in criminal investigations is more likely to be given much more favorable terms in a plea deal. If you are unsure what cooperation entails and how it will impact the outcome of your case when facing federal white-collar crime charges, it is important that you speak to an experienced Dallas, TX white-collar crime lawyer.

What Is Involved in Cooperation?

Cooperation in a federal white-collar crime can take many forms, depending on your role in the white-collar crime, the extent of the crime, and the victims involved. If you agree to cooperate, this means you will provide accurate, truthful information or evidence to federal prosecutors. This can include one or more of the following:

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 Posted on May 28, 2025 in White Collar Crime

Although white-collar crimes are generally considered to be non-violent crimes that often have no single victim like other criminal offenses, the consequences of a white-collar crime conviction can be both serious and long-term. Many white-collar crimes rely heavily on information and evidence gathered from computers.

Since computer information can be manipulated, it is important that prosecutors ensure digital traces have not been falsified or insufficiently documented and that the evidence is handled and distributed securely. Many white-collar crimes are charged federally because of the use of the Internet and computers or when a crime otherwise crosses a state line.

Federal resources tend to be more abundant than state resources, and federal penalties are much harsher than state penalties. If you are facing federal white-collar criminal charges, it is extremely important that you choose a Dallas, TX white-collar crimes lawyer who has extensive experience defending against federal charges.

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 Posted on May 08, 2025 in Fraud

Three East Texas women were recently indicted in an $8 million mortgage fraud scheme. One of the three women has been dubbed the "Short Sale Queen." In addition to mortgage fraud, the three were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured financial institution.

Three digital companies, including Short Sale Queen, LLC, were used to find homeowners in the pre-foreclosure short sale process and then help the homeowners list the properties for sale. After obtaining a signed listing agreement with the homeowners, fake documents, including letters from fictional buyers, letters to banks and mortgage companies asking them to freeze the foreclosure process, and falsified purchase agreements were given to the homeowners.

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 Posted on April 23, 2025 in Fraud

A Plano, TX pharmacist was recently sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $115 million in restitution for committing healthcare fraud against the Department of Labor (DOL). According to evidence submitted at trial, the pharmacist was submitting fraudulent claims for prescription compounded creams for those injured in Texas workers’ compensation accidents.

The pharmacist, along with others he brought into the scheme, conspired to pay doctors to prescribe medically unnecessary compound creams for injured federal workers. The doctors were paid millions in illegal bribes and kickbacks for prescribing these creams, which were being mixed in the back rooms of three pharmacies by untrained teens. The actual cost of the creams was approximately $15 per prescription, but the DOL was charged as much as $16,000 per prescription.

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 Posted on April 08, 2025 in Uncategorized

Immunity is a powerful tool that is often wielded by federal prosecutors, particularly for white-collar crimes. While an offer of immunity can feel like a lifeline, allowing you to largely escape penalties for a white-collar crime, it is not an ironclad guarantee. If you do not have a full understanding of an offer of immunity, you could find yourself with a deal you did not expect.

It is virtually never a good idea to attempt to negotiate an offer of immunity on your own without a knowledgeable federal defense attorney. You could inadvertently reveal information that could negate the deal and harm your original case. Immunity agreements can benefit significantly from having an experienced Dallas, TX federal defense lawyer.

How Does Federal Immunity Work?

Immunity is an agreement reached between a federal prosecutor and your attorney after you have been accused of a crime. The prosecutor agrees not to prosecute you for specific offenses in return for testimony or information against another person or persons who have committed a crime. The federal government is typically focused on targeting the "bigger fish," so if your crime is lower-level but you can help the government apprehend a higher-level criminal, you may be offered some level of immunity.  

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 Posted on March 28, 2025 in Fraud

Bank fraud is a serious federal crime. It can entail a list of illegal activities, including fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and the use of fake identities and documents. Having a legal representative who is well-versed in the federal laws that govern these cases and the legal arguments that can fight the charges is crucial to a strong defense. Consider some common examples of how our Dallas, TX bank fraud attorneys may be able to help you challenge bank fraud charges.

Lack of Intent To Defraud

A key element of bank fraud cases is intent, and federal law requires proof that the defendant intended to defraud. Ultimately, they must prove that you intended to commit bank fraud, whether you were successful or not. The burden of proof in these cases is beyond a reasonable doubt.

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