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When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Federal Money Laundering Attorney
Money Laundering: Understanding the Seriousness
Money laundering is a serious offense that may be prosecuted at the state or federal level. Often, the amount of money in question and related criminal activities will play a role in determining what level of charges are filed. Money laundering laws specifically illegalize activities that move money generated from criminal activities through a legitimate channel with the goal of concealing its source from authorities. Criminal activities that are often associated with money laundering range from organized crime and drug crimes to white-collar crimes and even terrorist activities. Because of the wide range of criminal activities associated with money laundering, numerous law enforcement agencies may be responsible for investigating the crimes and bringing up charges.
Penalties for a Federal Money Laundering Conviction
Regardless of the nature of the money laundering charges that you face, it is imperative that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Often, money laundering charges are brought in combination with charges for the related activities that the money was generated from. The specific penalties for a money laundering conviction may range from a year to more than 35 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or more. Keep in mind that a convicted individual may also face additional penalties related to other charges. Your federalmoney laundering defense lawyer should be involved in your case as soon as possible. In some cases, a subject may not be aware of the investigation. However, if you are aware of the investigation, this is the time to consult with an attorney.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws
Money laundering was officially defined as a crime more than 50 years through the passage of the Bank Secrecy Act. Under this law, banks are required to report large transactions to the authorities. Initially, this was established at $5,000 or more, but it has been raised to $10,000 or more. This law was followed by the Money Laundering Control Act in 1986 and the Annunzio-Wylie Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1992. These defined the nature of a financial transaction to be any activity where money moves from one entity to another. This includes person-to-person transactions.
Under the USA Patriot Act, the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 requires financial institutions to verify the identity of individuals and entities when they open a new account. More than that, they must verify that these individuals are not on a list of suspected or known terrorists. Various other federal laws have been passed as well, and the laws impact money laundering activities in other notable ways. A money laundering defense attorney is a seasoned professional who has knowledge of all relevant laws and effective defense strategies.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Effective Money Laundering Defense Strategy
You may feel as though the prosecutor’s case against you is too solid to create an effective defense in your favor. However, there are a variety of strategies that defense attorneys have successfully used in similar cases. For example, in order for a crime to be classified as money laundering, the accused must take specific steps to conceal the money rather than simply to spend it. If the money is spent, the threshold for money laundering is not met. The method of concealment must also be taken into account. Money is not considered to be laundered if it was physically hidden from view. Instead, laundered money is related to the concealment of that money’s source, ownership and more. Effective defense strategies may use these requirements as a defense so that the prosecutor must prove that the money has actually been laundered by definition.
Likewise, the money that is derived from illegal activities cannot be paid to others without first being concealed in some way. If it is simply paid out, it is not considered to be laundered. In addition, the money must be from an illegal activity. For example, if you make money legitimately and try to hide that income from the IRS, money laundering has not occurred. These may also be used as the basis for a defense strategy.
Request a Consultation Today
Have you recently been arrested on money laundering charges, or are you being investigated for these charges currently? Your criminal defense attorney should be involved in your case as early in the process as possible. To discuss your case with a criminal defense lawyer, request a consultation today
