34 USC 12522 specifically targets the illegal use or smuggling of drugs within federal prisons, recognizing the heightened risk and threat such conduct poses. Congress has enacted strict laws to deter and punish anyone, whether inmates, visitors, or correctional staff, who attempt to bring contro...
Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) requirements are a key element of U.S. anti-money laundering law. All U.S. persons with foreign accounts exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year must file an FBAR. While many infractions result in civil penalties, criminal charges can arise when violation...
Federal criminal violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), codified under 31 US 5322, target willful acts that undermine financial transparency, particularly in connection with money laundering and related reporting offenses. This law requires financial institutions and certain businesses to file...
SNAP fraud is a federal offense that undermines a vital lifeline for millions of Americans. The most frequent schemes include trafficking SNAP benefits for cash, lying about income or household composition on applications, and unauthorized retailers participating in the program. These violations ...
Federal healthcare fraud costs taxpayers billions each year, and recent prosecutions reveal several persistent schemes. Federal law prohibits knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, or other government health programs, paying or receiving kickbacks, and exploiting patients for fi...
Federal fraud statutes cover a wide range of conduct, but one of the most serious is Major Fraud Against the United States, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1031. This law targets large-scale fraud involving federal contracts or procurement, particularly when the alleged loss to the government exceeds $1 ...
When federal prosecutors pursue fraud charges, one of the statutes they frequently rely on is 18 U.S.C. § 287, also known as the False Claims statute. This law makes it a crime to knowingly present a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim for payment or approval to any department or agency of the...
Federal prosecutors often pursue the most serious drug crime cases under a statute known as the Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) law, found in Title 21 U.S.C. § 848. Commonly referred to as the “Kingpin Statute,” this federal law is aimed at individuals accused of organizing, supervising, or ...
One of the most important aspects of federal drug prosecutions is the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Unlike in state systems, where sentencing judges often have greater discretion, federal law requires certain sentences to be imposed once the prosecution proves specific facts, leavi...
In today's rapidly evolving digital marketplace, cryptocurrency has opened new opportunities – as well as new risks. Among the more complex issues federal regulators are watching closely is the rise of wash trading in crypto markets. For individuals and businesses alike, understanding this practi...
Federal drug prosecutions are not limited to those who actually possess or distribute illegal substances. Under Title 21 USC 846, anyone who attempts of conspires to commit a federal drug offense can face the same penalties as if the crime had been completed. This statute is a powerful tool for f...
Carfentanil has emerged as one of the most dangerous substances fueling the opioid crisis in the United States. Its extreme potency and increasing presence in street drugs have made it a major concern for federal law enforcement, leading to aggressive prosecution and severe penalties for those ac...
Federal fraud charges are among the most serious white-collar crimes prosecuted in the United States. Under 18 USC 341, known as the “Frauds and Swindles” statute, the government aggressively targets individuals and organizations accused of using deceit, trickery, or false promises to obtain mone...
Money laundering is a serious federal crime that involves disguising the origins of funds obtained through illegal activities. The U.S. Department of Justice's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) is at the forefront of investigating, prosecuting, and recovering assets tied to thes...
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has taken unprecedented action to combat money laundering linked to fentanyl trafficking, targeting three major Mexican financial institutions under the new FEND Off Fentanyl Act. This move marks a significant esc...
Operating a money transmitting business without the proper license or registration is a serious federal offense under 18 U.S.C § 1960. This law was enacted to combat the misuse of financial channels for money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities. If you are involved in an...
Bank fraud is one of the most aggressively prosecuted federal crimes in the United States. Under 18 U.S. Code § 1344, it is a felony to knowingly execute or attempt to execute a scheme to defraud a federally insured financial institution or to obtain money, assets, or property from a bank through...
Simple possession of a controlled substance is a serious federal offense under Title 21 U.S. Code § 844. This law makes it illegal for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance unless obtained through a valid prescription or otherwise authorized by law. Federal prose...
Government procurement fraud is a significant threat to the integrity of public spending, costing taxpayers billions of dollars annually and undermining trust in the federal acquisition process. This type of fraud occurs when individuals or companies dishonestly obtain an advantage, avoid an obli...
Drug smuggling is among the most serious federal drug offenses, prosecuted under Title 21 U.S. Code § 967. This law targets the illegal importation or transportation of controlled substances across state lines or into the United States from another country. Commonly smuggled drugs include methamp...
Trade Based Money Laundering (TBML) is one of the most complex and elusive forms of financial crime facing global markets today. At its core, TBML is the process of disguising the proceeds of crime and moving value through international trade transactions, making illicit funds appear legitimate. ...
Casinos are a magnet for money laundering activity due to their high volume of cash transactions and the ease with which funds can be moved in and out. At Sigal Law Group, we've seen how federal authorities aggressively pursue both individuals and businesses for violations of anti-money launderin...
When the IRS investigates suspected tax fraud, it relies on a set of warning signs known as the “badges of fraud.” These are patterns of behavior, actions, or circumstances that suggest a taxpayer may have intentionally tried to evade taxes or mislead federal authorities. At Sigal Law Group, we r...
Fentanyl distribution cases involving fatal overdoses are among the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in federal court. Under current law and pending legislation, penalties range from decades in prison to life sentences or even capital punishment. At Sigal Law Group, we defend clients facing th...
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1349, individuals involved in drug-related activities that utilize wire communications to further their operations may face severe federal charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This statute criminalizes agreements to engage in schemes that use electronic communications (e...
