White Collar Crime

Convicted lawyer’s victimhood claim is ‘absolutely delusional,’ judge says at sentencing hearing

A Chicago lawyer sentenced to prison for bank embezzlement Tuesday interrupted the judge throughout the proceeding and claimed that the case against him “is an evil that’s going on here.”

Aug 14, 2024 10:30 AM CDT

DOJ launches corporate whistleblower awards program

The Justice Department on Thursday unveiled a corporate whistleblower pilot program targeting foreign corruption and financial fraud that authorities said could yield billions of dollars in forfeitures each year. Tipsters who are first to provide information of corporate wrongdoing could be eligible for up to 30% of the first $100 million in company forfeitures.

Aug 2, 2024 9:45 AM CDT

After Supreme Court limits prosecutors fighting corruption, what comes next?

For years, federal prosecutors have been coming up with ways to fight state and local corruption, and the battles may be harder going forward, thanks to a recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion. The Supreme Court found a federal fraud statute regarding state and local officials does not cover gratuities, even if the payments were intended as rewards for official acts.

Jul 24, 2024 10:54 AM CDT

New Jersey senator convicted of 16 felonies in corruption trial

Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted Tuesday of taking bribes from three businessmen who showered him and his wife with cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz, an extravagant bounty for his help securing deals with foreign officials and trying to derail several criminal investigations in New Jersey. Menendez vowed to appeal, and legal experts say he could be helped by the Supreme Court’s rulings in recent years narrowing the scope of federal bribery laws.

Jul 16, 2024 4:25 PM CDT

Targeting white-collar crime, DOJ seeks more whistleblowers

Under a Biden administration program the Justice Department plans to unveil within weeks, authorities will offer whistleblowers who provide tips that lead to successful prosecutions a percentage of the resulting penalties and fees—an amount that could total millions of dollars.

Jul 10, 2024 3:30 PM CDT

Leader of hacked ‘Panama Papers’ law firm is one of 28 people acquitted

A Panamanian judge has acquitted 28 people, including a founder of Mossack Fonseca, in a money laundering case partly stemming from documents hacked from the law firm.

Jul 1, 2024 9:37 AM CDT

SEC defendants are entitled to jury trials, SCOTUS rules in case with ‘broad ramifications’

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that defendants facing civil penalties for securities fraud before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are entitled to a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment.

Jun 27, 2024 10:07 AM CDT

Conspirators allegedly tracked juror before leaving $120K cash at her home

Three defendants accused of cheating the government are among five people charged Wednesday with trying to bribe a 23-year-old juror with $120,000 in cash left in a Hallmark gift bag.

Jun 27, 2024 9:23 AM CDT

Judge Aileen Cannon tosses another curveball in the Trump cases

A fleeting question Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas posed to Donald Trump’s lawyer during oral arguments in the Trump immunity case in late April may have been a harbinger. “Did you, in this litigation, challenge the appointment of special counsel?” Thomas asked.

Jun 10, 2024 11:15 AM CDT

Georgia appeals court pauses Trump election case to consider disqualifying DA Fani Willis

The Georgia Court of Appeals on Wednesday ordered a halt to the proceedings in the election interference case against former president Donald Trump and eight other defendants pending the outcome of their appeal seeking to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis. The order means the case will almost certainly not be scheduled for trial before the fall election.

Jun 5, 2024 4:21 PM CDT

Juror excused after mystery woman left bag of cash at her home and explained why

A 23-year-old juror in a charity fraud trial was excused Monday after a woman dressed in black visited her home Sunday evening with a Hallmark gift bag containing about $120,000 cash.

Jun 4, 2024 11:05 AM CDT

Trump could make these appellate arguments after trial he calls ‘rigged’

Former President Donald Trump said Friday he will appeal his hush-money election-interference conviction during a rambling speech in which he criticized the trial, the judge and the prosecution team.

Jun 3, 2024 11:03 AM CDT

Federal government warns of an increase in ‘scam PACs’ as election nears

Individuals are doling out their money to people operating “scam PACs”—and there is not sufficient government oversight and enforcement powers to stop them. In November, there will be a hotly disputed presidential election in which individuals may feel compelled to donate on issues related to their concerns or to the candidate they support. A scammer could pretend the money is going to elect Joe Biden or Donald Trump and then pocket it.

Jun 1, 2024 1:10 AM CDT

Trump found guilty of 34 felony charges in hush-money case

A New York jury has found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment to an adult-film actress, delivering a historic verdict that could shape the November election and makes Trump the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime.

May 30, 2024 4:06 PM CDT

Judge rejects request to restrict Trump’s speech on FBI, says motion was faulty

U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon on Tuesday denied a request from federal prosecutors that she order Donald Trump to stop making incendiary claims about law enforcement personnel, saying the government should have more thoroughly consulted with Trump’s attorneys before coming to her.

May 29, 2024 9:59 AM CDT