Scrofano Law PC:
Your Maryland Federal Fraud Lawyer
At Scrofano Law PC, our Maryland federal fraud lawyer is here to help you navigate your legal matters and fight for your rights. Contact us for a strong defense strategy.
Do You Need the Help of a Federal Fraud Attorney in Maryland?
Fraud, a serious financial crime, is often prosecuted at the federal level, with the government targeting various types and applying federal penalties.
In Maryland, federal fraud can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the offense. If suspected, the federal government puts you under investigation. During the investigation, the government can freeze your assets before your conviction. That act can impact your life and that of your loved ones.
The consequences of a federal fraud crime can be very severe. If you are charged, consider hiring a Maryland fraud defense lawyer.
At Scrofano Law PC, our federal defense attorneys can help you with the complexities of federal law. We can provide counsel on your charges and construct a robust defense strategy, working tirelessly to secure you justice throughout the legal process.
What Determines Federal Fraud in Maryland?
The criteria for identifying federal fraud cases in Maryland primarily depend on the nature of the fraudulent activity and whether it involves federal laws or agencies. For example, federal fraud charges can arise when fraudulent actions cross state lines or impact federal programs and institutions.
Section 18 USC § 1001 of US law defines federal fraud as knowingly and willfully doing the following:
- Falsifying, covering up, or concealing by any scheme, trick, or device a material fact
- Making any fictitious, false, or fraudulent statement or representation
- Drafting or using any false document, knowing it contains false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or entries
In Maryland, federal fraud encompasses the deceptive misrepresentation of financial statements for personal gain, as well as the falsification and concealment of such statements with the aim of securing financial benefits.
Under Maryland law, the elements that distinguish a fraudulent crime are as follows:
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A defendant made a false representation of a material fact
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The false misrepresentation purpose was to defraud the victim
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The victim relied upon the misrepresentation with the full belief of its truth
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The victim suffered actual damages resulting from the reliance on the misrepresentation.
In a fraud case, federal prosecutors should show intentional suppression of material fact, prove the objective of creating or continuing a false impression, and present clear evidence for fraud. As your defense attorneys, Scrofano Law PC will work to combat the information and ideas presented by the prosecution.
Types of Federal Fraud Charges in Maryland
Common types of federal fraud charges include:
Healthcare Fraud
It can be considered healthcare fraud when someone schemes in order to earn benefits from any healthcare program. Medicare and Medicaid, programs at least partially funded by the federal government, are common targets of healthcare fraud.
Examples may include someone falsifying their identity to obtain their prescriptions or medical benefits, or a healthcare practitioner double-billing or unnecessarily billing for medical services.
Bank Fraud
Under federal law, you can be prosecuted for bank fraud at the federal level if you knowingly use or attempt to use a scheme:
- To defraud a financial institution
- To illegally obtain money, securities, credit, or other property from financial institutions.
Tax Fraud
You are committing tax fraud when you attempt to evade or avoid paying federal income taxes. Some common examples of tax fraud include:
- Overestimating business expenses
- Underreporting income
- Failing to file tax returns.
The federal government charges tax evasion as a felony. However, failure to file federal tax returns is a misdemeanor crime.
Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud
It is a federal offense to use mail or any wire communications technology as part of a scheme to defraud. The nature of mail and wire fraud law is broad; these charges often go along with corruption, bribery, or other criminal charges.
Computer Fraud
Computer fraud is accessing a computer without authorization to obtain the following:
- Financial information or records of a financial institution or a card user
- Information from any United States department or agency
- Information from a protected computer
Identity Theft Fraud
Identity theft is when you intentionally, without lawful authority, possess false identification. It also includes transferring money or property using a false identification document.
In Maryland, fake ID laws criminalize the possession or use of fake identification cards. Charges vary in severity depending on whether you simply have a fake ID or are involved in the production and distribution of fake IDs.
Securities Fraud
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates the securities and commodities markets. Any fraudulent activity under the securities fraud category is a felony. Some of the most common examples of securities fraud include:
- Ponzi or pyramid schemes
- Investment schemes
- Broker embezzlement
- Foreign currency fraud
- Insider trading
Penalties for Federal Fraud in Maryland
The punishment for federal fraud offenses depends on the amount of stolen money, property, or assets, the type of offense, and a person’s criminal history. The possible penalties for federal fraud in Maryland include the following:
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Imprisonment
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Home confinement
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Fines and/or asset forfeiture
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Restitution
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Probation
How an Attorney Can Help With Federal Fraud Charges
A fraud conviction is a serious matter. To go up against the government’s vast resources, it’s important to have a skilled fraud attorney by your side in your federal case.
Our attorneys at Scrofano Law PC will thoroughly assess your case and tailor a defense strategy based on its unique facts. Drawing upon their extensive knowledge of criminal law, our lawyers can craft a strong defense on your behalf. Furthermore, if the presented evidence is unreliable, our attorneys can assist in gathering additional evidence to bolster your defense.
In cases involving unintentional non-fraudulent or mistaken statements, our lawyers will vigorously argue that such statements do not constitute fraud. They will assert that these were merely expressions of opinion, which do not meet the criteria for criminal fraud.
Additionally, our identity theft lawyers can help you understand the potential consequences of a conviction. They can also negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea bargain that may result in a lesser charge on your behalf.
Contact the Team at Scrofano Law PC
Do you need a skilled Maryland fraud lawyer for your federal fraud case? Don’t navigate the complexities of your legal situation alone. Reach out to the dedicated team at Scrofano Law PC to secure experienced legal representation tailored to your specific needs.
With experience in defending criminal fraud cases in Maryland, our main focus is to protect your rights during the criminal justice process. We handle cases in Montgomery, Prince George’s, and other Maryland counties.
Whether charged with mail or wire fraud or any other alleged fraud offense, our team is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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We fight for your rights!
Paolo Gnocchi is an excellent attorney. He offered sound advice and thoroughly explained the court process. If you are looking for professional representation and a reliable attorney that will advocate for you, Paolo is your guy. Joseph Scrofano and his team are all dedicated individuals. Hopefully I never need a criminal defense attorney again LOL, but if I do, Scrofano Law would be my choice!
Paolo and this firm are top notch. They need to be thankful to have him on the team. Can’t put into words how amazing Paolo was and how thankful I am. He fought for me and succeeded. 5 stars!
Joe is amazing! Here’s the hard truth:
- 99% of cases that go court in DC end in convictions
- Last year there were 120 cases in DC and the conviction rate was 100%
Here is the good news, Joe represents people in DC and knows what he is doing! When I was charged with a crime that I didn’t commit, Joe went to work. Three years, a grueling court case, and one long battle later, I got to hear the words, “not guilty!” Joe didn’t just collect a retainer and show up on court date. He scrutinized every document in the case, subpoenaed the information he needed, and presented a perfect case of facts!
When you need someone that will fight for you and can actually win, Joe is the guy!!