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Money Laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising unlawfully obtained funds so they appear legal.
It’s a global problem pursued aggressively by federal authorities like the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) (see the official FinCENwebsite).
PENALTIES CAN BE SEVERE
Under 18 U.S. Code § 1956 (read the law here), individuals convicted of money laundering can face up to 20 years in prison—and hefty fines that often exceed $500,000 or more.
Fines, asset forfeitures, and even additional charges like conspiracy or wire fraud can inflate the penalties.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT
Some individuals think laundering is “just paperwork.”
They are wrong.
Money laundering convictions can derail careers, relationships, and futures.
WE DEFEND. WE PROTECT. WE WIN.
We are NYC Criminal Lawyers who understand the intricacies of federal and state money laundering statutes.
We are Spodek Law Group, and we can help you.
COMMON MONEY LAUNDERING SCHEMES
- Structuring deposits to avoid reporting requirements
- Using shell corporations to hide illicit funds
- Layering transactions between multiple accounts or countries
- Integrating dirty money into legitimate businesses
Each of these schemes is aggressively prosecuted by federal agents, often in coordination with state authorities.
LEGAL STRATEGIES TO FIGHT MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES
Lack of Knowledge Defense
Sometimes individuals are implicated without realizing they participated in laundering activities.
They simply followed instructions or processed transactions as part of routine business.
Effect:
Asserting lack of knowledge aims to cast doubt on whether the defendant acted with criminal intent.
If the court believes a defendant truly had no clue about underlying illicit activities, charges may be dismissed or reduced.
This strategy can also influence plea discussions and might prompt prosecutors to reconsider the severity of charges.
Entrapment Defense
Entrapment arises when law enforcement officials induce someone to commit a crime they wouldn’t have otherwise committed.
In money laundering cases, government sting operations sometimes overreach.
Effect:
Proving entrapment can completely exonerate a defendant.
Juries often respond strongly if it appears law enforcement crossed ethical lines.
Even if full exoneration doesn’t happen, entrapment evidence might reduce sentencing or open the door to favorable plea terms.
Lack of Intent to Conceal
Prosecutors must show the defendant intended to hide or disguise the source of funds.
Without that specific intent to conceal, charges become much harder to prove.
Effect:
This defense undercuts the heart of money laundering allegations, because it zeroes in on the mental element.
Cases with ambiguous financial records or minimal effort to hide funds often see greater potential for dismissal or favorable deals.
Lack of intent can also bolster other arguments, like good faith or compliance misunderstandings.
Insufficient Evidence
Sometimes the government’s case is built on circumstantial transactions or vague documentation.
If there’s no airtight paper trail, the prosecution can struggle to establish a definite criminal link.
Effect:
Challenging the weight and origin of evidence can result in suppressed documents or discredited testimony.
Even partial evidentiary wins may drastically reduce the probability of conviction.
With weaker evidence, prosecutors may be more willing to negotiate reduced charges or drop the case entirely.
Due Process Violations
Illegal searches, improper seizures, or tainted wiretaps can violate constitutional rights.
When procedural rules are ignored, evidence might become inadmissible.
Effect:
A single piece of inadmissible evidence can cripple the prosecution’s entire case.
It forces the government to rely on weaker or circumstantial support, often leading to dropped or reduced charges. It can mean the difference between jail time, and all charges dropped. Due process defenses also serve as a deterrent against overzealous investigative tactics.
HOW WE HELP
We are Spodek Law Group, a premier criminal defense law firm dedicated to protecting your freedom.
We have over 50 years of combined experience.
We have a proven track record of defending high-stakes federal and state cases.
EXPERIENCED
Our attorneys have handled countless complex financial crimes, including multi-million dollar laundering conspiracies.
DEDICATED
We work 24/7 to investigate your case, analyze government evidence, and develop defenses.
NYC CRIMINAL ATTORNEYS YOU CAN TRUST
We’re here to answer your questions, regardless of the time of day.
We’re here to protect your rights, despite the hardships you face.
We can help you, get a risk free consultation today.
GET A RISK-FREE CONSULTATION
If you face a money laundering investigation, don’t wait.
Call us immediately or schedule a consultation online for a thorough, confidential case evaluation.