A tool being used much more frequently by prosecutors in both state and federal court is the use of money laundering offenses. The prosecutor basically charges that a person engaged in financial transactions with the purpose of hiding or concealing the source or destination of money which supposedly originated in another crime. The whole idea of "laundering" money originated in prosecutions against organized crime or large drug rings which would "wash" dirty money through "clean" businesses.

Money laundering cases have changed dramatically over the past decades. Instead of such charges being reserved solely for the "mob" or foreign drug cartels, we now see such allegations being brought against business people who are accused of fraud, or against corporations whose employees supposedly committed criminal acts.

Not only are money laundering crimes more common, the penalties are often quite severe. It is a common tactic for a federal prosecutor to include money laundering and forfeiture allegations in an indictment. The money laundering crimes often carry harsher penalties than the underlying crime that created the money in the first place. Furthermore, prosecutors use these crimes to try and take away the defendants assets, as well as putting him or her in jail.

Defending against money laundering crimes requires a sophisticated criminal defense attorney who is at the top of his or her game. The lawyers at Kish & Lietz recognize that such allegations are serious, and require a serious and aggressive defense. If you or a loved one faces such allegations, please contact an attorney who is capable of handling this kind of challenge. Feel free to call our office at  (404) 588-3991, or please contact us online.