Allegations of healthcare fraud in Texas can lead to severe criminal penalties for physicians. If you are facing charges, you should be aware of the potential consequences for medical professionals. A Texas lawyer can help you determine your specific charges' best course of action.

Civil False Claims Act Violations

When healthcare providers knowingly submit inaccurate Medicare or Medicaid billings, they face fines under the federal and Texas False Claims Acts. These civil statutes assign a various range per false claim. The government also recoups legal fees spent proving the case. With multiple patients and claims spanning months or years, penalties easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Criminal Insurance Fraud Convictions

Beyond civil damages, healthcare fraud constitutes a felony offense under the Texas Penal Code's theft liability provisions. Criminal prosecutors often aggressively pursue these cases, seeking lengthy incarcerations and substantial sanctions.

Being accused of insurance fraud can lead to severe penalties in Texas, including steep fines and years in prison. These allegations should not be taken lightly. You have a right to know what to do when facing this type of charge. A Texas attorney can help guide you to take the proper steps for your best interest.

Understand the Charges

Texas has laws against defrauding all types of insurance companies, including auto, healthcare, life, property, worker’s comp, and others. Some common charges include:

• Filing a false or misleading insurance claim.
• Staging or causing an accident to submit a claim.
• Exaggerating damages or injuries to inflate a claim.
• Billing for services not provided.
• Using someone else’s insurance illegally.
• Accepting kickbacks for fraudulent claims.

Take time to understand precisely what you have been charged with so you can respond appropriately. The charges can be complex.

If you have been accused of embezzlement, understanding the basics of the crime, potential penalties, and effective defense strategies is crucial. Embezzlement involves the fraudulent appropriation of money or property entrusted to your care but actually belonging to someone else. A Texas lawyer can help you with what to know if you are under investigation or facing charges and then create the most robust case possible for you.

Key Elements of Embezzlement

For a conviction under Texas statutes, prosecutors must prove these elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

• You were entrusted with money or property belonging to another person or entity based on your role as an employee, trustee, attorney, or other position of responsibility.
• You intentionally misappropriated the funds or property by keeping or using them for an unauthorized purpose.
• Your intent was fraudulent, meaning you knowingly appropriated them for your benefit or use.

If the value is under $2,500, it is a misdemeanor in Texas. Even temporarily “borrowing” funds under your control can potentially constitute illegal embezzlement absent written approval.

Having your property seized through civil asset forfeiture can be overwhelming. Understanding your rights and promptly working with an attorney can give you the strongest chance of challenging the seizure and regaining your assets. There are different key steps you can take with a Texas lawyer.

The First Step is To Consult an Attorney

Working with well-versed Texas asset forfeiture laws when you learn of a seizure is vital. Strict deadlines exist for contesting seizures, so moving quickly with this step is critical. An attorney can evaluate whether the seizure complies with state laws and help you craft a strategic response to challenge it.

Find Out Why the Seizure Took Place

Find out exactly why your property was targeted and learn the specific grounds stated for seizure. Common justifications include:

Money laundering is a serious financial crime that can lead to harsh criminal penalties if convicted. Understanding the potential sanctions under Texas statutes can underscore the substantial legal risks. You should also know you have a legal right to work with a Texas lawyer to help you through your case.

How Texas Law Defines Money Laundering

Texas’ penal code Chapter 34 outlines the state’s money laundering laws. Charges can be brought in Texas for the following:

• Knowingly concealing;
• Acquiring;
• Maintaining an interest in;
• Receiving;
• Transporting;
• Transmitting;
• Transferring funds that were obtained through criminal means. 

Penalties for Money Laundering Depend on the Amount

In Texas, the criminal penalties for a money laundering conviction vary depending on the monetary value of the illegally laundered funds. Prosecutors aggregate the total proceeds in a single scheme or course of conduct when determining the charge classification.