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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.
What is Federal Program Fraud?
Federal Program Fraud: Understanding the Charges and Penalties
The use of misinformation, false pretenses, or deceit to gain funds from a government agency is known as federal program fraud. Due to the seriousness of the offense, federal program fraud is aggressively prosecuted by the government. A conviction of this federal crime carries harsh penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
If you have been accused of federal program fraud, make sure to speak to an experienced defense lawyer. Without legal help, you could be facing serious consequences that can make a significant impact on your life.
The Definition of Federal Program Fraud
With federal program fraud, individuals have received federal money from a government program by using deceptive means. Under normal circumstances, the individual would not have been entitled to these benefits.
The government must show that the defendant acted with an intent to defraud a federal program. Along with that, the federal prosecutor must prove that the defendant knew that their actions would defraud a specific government entity.
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.
A federally funded program includes programs that offer a loan, grant, entitlement, or other types of funding to qualified applicants. In many cases, there are administrative processes that can detect signs of fraud. However, those safeguards often do not recognize all indications of deception or fraud.
Any federal program fraud is a significant loss to the government. As a result, this crime carries substantial civil and criminal liabilities against anyone responsible for the fraudulent actions.
Federal Program Fraud Legislation
Federal prosecutors can indict someone for embezzlement under 18 USC 666 for theft over $5,000 of federal program money under the control of the government entity. That government program must have received at least $10,000 in federal funds for the given year.
The legislation provides a means to enforce prosecution against anyone who embezzles, steals, or commits fraud against a government entity that receives federal funds. However, some federal statutes are used to prosecute an individual for making a false statement to a federal agency, engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the government, or committing mail and wire fraud.
These statutes make it a federal offense to steal federal funds from a designated program. Along with that, it is a federal crime to misuse any property under the government’s custody.
The United States government takes federal program fraud very seriously, and the federal government will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Several federal offices have the power to investigate federal program fraud, such as the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Inspector General Offices of various programs.
Federal Program Fraud Examples
Federal program fraud can occur in several forms, including:
Grant and research fraud: This crime includes falsifying grant applications, submitting fabricated test results, and misappropriating grant funds.
Bid rigging: This accusation involves eliminating fair competition for a government contract bid to increase the price.
Defense contractor fraud: The crime can include overcharging the federal government for services and products. The contractor can also use inferior materials to save on costs to increase their profit margin.
Medicare fraud: This crime involves obtaining health care using forged Medicare documents or charging the program for non-existent patients.
Some federal program fraud cases do not fit into these categories. These crimes can include:
Misusing student loan funding
Forging a signature on a social security check
Claiming welfare benefits for non-existent children
All of these situations are considered a form of federal program fraud.
Federal Program Fraud Penalties
While every fraud case is different, these penalties can be severe. In many situations, the fines can range from a few hundred dollars to several million dollars. Incarceration is often less common. However, it is reserved for some of the most severe offenses. Finally, additional financial penalties may involve paying restitution to the federal government.
Need Advice for Your Federal Program Fraud Case?
Any allegation of federal program fraud often results in a loss of freedom and money. A federal defense attorney can help to eliminate or reduce these charges against an individual.
Federal program fraud charges are serious. Remember that the federal government actively prosecutes these crimes. An experienced and knowledgeable defense attorney can craft a diligent defense strategy to give you a favorable outcome for your case.
