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Financial Crimes Enterprise Lawyers
If you’re on our website, it’s because you might be dealing with complex allegations involving financial misconduct, and you need a top-tier defense team by your side. At Spodek Law Group, we take these cases seriously, because facing allegations of wire fraud, money laundering, or conspiracy under 18 USC § 371 can turn your entire life upside down. Our objective is to give you the best possible legal representation—no matter how complicated the circumstances may seem.
When federal authorities start sending target letters or seizing assets, it means the stakes just got higher, and you need a legal strategy that addresses every potential angle. We’re here to let you know it’s possible to fight back, minimize your exposure, and sometimes get charges dismissed altogether. This level of dedication is key to why so many clients across the country choose us as their primary line of defense.
Financial Crimes at the Federal Level
Financial crimes can trigger federal jurisdiction when interstate communications, national banks, or federal programs are involved. Our team focuses on building a thorough strategy by examining exactly which federal agencies are investigating you, what evidence they’ve gathered, and how we can use the law to your advantage. Under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, crimes like mail fraud (§ 1341), wire fraud (§ 1343), and money laundering (§ 1956) come with potentially lengthy prison terms—often 20 years or more if aggravating factors are present. If prosecutors believe you led or managed a criminal enterprise, you could also be facing RICO allegations under 18 USC § 1962, which raises the stakes even higher.
The Double Jeopardy Factor A big concern for many clients is whether state and federal prosecutors can pursue charges simultaneously. We’ve seen scenarios where a person faces state-level fraud allegations that get refiled as federal charges, leaving you confused about double jeopardy under the Fifth Amendment. In many cases, you can be tried in both state and federal court if the offenses involve separate sovereigns, meaning double jeopardy doesn’t always protect you from dual prosecutions. When that happens, our job is to fight hard to get one set of charges dismissed or to negotiate a comprehensive resolution that addresses all jurisdictions in one shot.
Sentencing Guidelines That Feel Rigid Federal sentencing guidelines, governed by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, can feel overwhelming because judges have less flexibility. For crimes like conspiracy to commit bank fraud or large-scale Ponzi schemes, mandatory minimums might apply. That means you could be staring down a five-year or ten-year statutory minimum, depending on the offense. At Spodek Law Group, our philosophy is that knowing the guidelines inside and out allows us to find strategic ways to push for downward departures or variances. We use every legal tool, from pointing out your minor role in the enterprise to emphasizing mitigating factors like lack of prior criminal history, so that you don’t get stuck with the harshest sentence.
Roleplaying Multiple Defense Strategies
We believe in approaching each case like a chess match, where we evaluate every potential move. Below are some of our go-to defense scenarios we’ve used nationwide:
- Challenging the Conspiracy Narrative
Prosecutors often rely on the “enterprise” label to bundle multiple defendants together under one financial scheme. We sometimes argue that you played a tangential role, never had criminal intent, or weren’t even aware of the bigger plan. By applying state-of-mind defenses and requiring the government to prove your knowledge beyond a reasonable doubt, we can undermine the entire conspiracy element and force the prosecution to reconsider the severity of the charges. - Exploiting Investigative Errors
It’s crucial to examine how the evidence was collected. We might find that the government relied on improperly obtained wiretaps, seized documents without valid warrants, or used questionable confidential informants. Our team files pretrial motions to suppress tainted evidence, which can dismantle the prosecution’s case. This approach has helped us get wire fraud and money laundering counts dropped for clients who were facing years in federal prison. - Negotiating Structured Plea Deals
Sometimes, it’s smart to negotiate a plea deal when the evidence is strong. Our team focuses on reducing prison time, limiting restitution payments, or reclassifying the offense to something that carries fewer collateral consequences. We explore alternative sentencing options like probation or monitored release, which are especially relevant if you have no prior record. We also explore “safety valve” provisions or cooperation agreements when they can protect your long-term interests. - Scenario-Based Self-Defense Approaches
In rare circumstances, we can argue a form of self-defense or duress if you were compelled to join the financial scheme through threats or extreme pressure. We dive into emails, text messages, and phone logs to prove you had no genuine intent to commit fraud but were coerced or misled. This approach is fact-specific, often requiring expert testimony and psychological evaluations to highlight how the pressure overcame your free will. - Contesting the Money Trail
Some clients never touched the funds in question, never saw them, or never benefited personally. If we can show a judge or jury that you had no financial gain from the alleged enterprise, we might negotiate a swift dismissal or a significantly reduced charge. We work with forensic accountants to trace every dollar, proving where it did or did not go. That can undercut the government’s narrative that you masterminded—or even knowingly participated in—the fraud.
Table: Common Financial Crimes and Defense Snapshots
| Crime | Federal Citation | Potential Penalties | Key Defense Strategies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire Fraud | 18 USC § 1343 | Up to 20 years (more if severe) | Challenge intent, suppress evidence |
| Money Laundering | 18 USC § 1956 | 10–20 years, heavy fines | Attack ownership of funds, intent |
| Bank Fraud | 18 USC § 1344 | Up to 30 years in some cases | Disprove intent, highlight procedural errors |
| RICO (Enterprise) | 18 USC § 1962 | 20 years or more | Undermine enterprise links, self-defense or duress claims |
Real-World Complexities In many of these cases, especially if you have business partners or co-conspirators, you might find yourself caught up in a narrative that doesn’t reflect your role. Clients often discover their supposed “partner” was under investigation months—if not years—before they even met. Our team looks at emails, contracts, financial statements, and sworn affidavits to show the court how you got entangled. We emphasize that you had no preconceived plan to violate federal law, and, in some instances, the best way forward is an aggressive pretrial motion that highlights these issues.
State vs. Federal Charges Sometimes clients ask if these crimes could stay at the state level. If there’s enough evidence showing the alleged activity crossed state lines or involved federally insured financial institutions, federal authorities will push for their jurisdiction. We handle both scenarios, but we always remind our clients about the stricter sentencing structure on the federal side. That’s why having a defense team with genuine familiarity in both state and federal courtrooms is a powerful asset. We’ve dealt with multi-jurisdictional prosecutions where we negotiate a global settlement that resolves everything in one comprehensive agreement, sparing you from a never-ending cycle of prosecutions.
Handling the Aftermath
Even if you avoid jail time, you could face probation, restitution, or forfeiture of assets. Our approach is to proactively address restitution demands, which often allows us to negotiate a payment plan or lower amount—especially if the prosecution’s initial figure is inflated. We also talk to clients about the long-term repercussions, like employment restrictions and difficulties reentering the financial sector. Our job doesn’t end with winning the case or securing a plea bargain; we stay by your side to guide you through the post-resolution process.
How Spodek Law Group Helps
We’re not just here to sign papers and show up in court. We’re here to protect your life, your freedom, and your reputation. Our firm is selective about the clients we represent because we believe in focusing intensely on each person’s case. Todd Spodek, our managing partner and a second-generation attorney, has handled countless high-stakes matters nationwide. Our entire roster understands the culture of “fake it till you make it” that often circulates in the financial world, and we’re prepared to show that your conduct might be misconstrued rather than malicious.
Your Next Steps
If you have reason to believe you’re being investigated, if you’ve received a subpoena, or if authorities have shown up unannounced, call us right away. The earlier you retain us, the easier it is for our team to shape the narrative in your favor. We’re available 24/7, and our consultations are risk-free. We’ll discuss your worries, examine the evidence, and figure out the best path forward. At Spodek Law Group, we’re dedicated to guiding you through this stressful time and helping you get the best possible result.
Remember, no financial crime case is truly unwinnable. The strategy we build depends on the facts, your situation, and our shared commitment to pushing back against the allegations. That’s exactly why you need an experienced federal defense lawyer who can stand up to aggressive prosecutors and find a route that protects your future. If you’re serious about defending your rights, our team is here to help—wherever in the United States your case might be.