After the Bernie Madoff debacle, Ponzi schemes are getting more publicity in the news. Ponzi schemes can be committed in different ways, but they typically involve a person or persons who are able to elicit trust from others who believe that person has the ability to make extraordinary returns on…
Several times, we have discussed the trend we have seen towards more federal investigations and arrests in mortgage fraud cases in Florida and Jacksonville. Federal authorities are responding to the tremendous meltdown in the housing markets and numerous mortgages that have gone unpaid. In many local U.S. Attorney offices in…
Most people understand that when they have a private conversations with their lawyers about an existing or potential case, whether criminal or civil, those conversations are supposed to remain confidential. This is referred to as the attorney-client privilege, and it means that no one can compel the attorney or the…
Federal judges testified in front of the U.S. Sentencing Commission regarding the abnormally high sentences given for the federal crime of possession of child pornography. The judges asked the Commission to review the criminal sentencing guidelines for possession of child pornography cases. The judges noted that some people are getting…
As we have discussed several times on this blog, the federal authorities are focusing more on fraud related crimes, or so called white collar crimes. We have seen the greatest concentration of federal investigative resources go towards mortgage fraud cases recently, particularly in Florida. However, they are looking at fraud…
Several times we have written posts about the shifting priorities of the FBI and federal prosecutors in the Jacksonville, Florida area and throughout Florida, from immigration and terrorism related cases years ago to securities fraud to mortgage fraud. It seems you can follow the latest sensational crime and economic stories…
We have written before about how people who commit crack cocaine crimes in federal court receive higher sentences than people who commit similar crimes involving powder cocaine. In other words, in order to get a similar sentence in certain situations, it would take the possession of much more powder cocaine…
Federal agents raided dozens of doctors’ offices and homes during investigations into alleged Medicare fraud. As part of the government’s effort to reform health care and save money, the federal government is focusing on Medicare fraud and what they say are millions of dollars that are fraudulently taken from the…
Many states, including Florida, allow qualified residents to apply for and obtain concealed weapons permits. These permits allow the person to carry a concealed weapon, such as a firearm, in their vehicles and other concealed places. In Florida, carrying a concealed firearm without such a permit is a third degree…
Under the Obama Administration, the Department of Justice has indicated an increased focus on mortgage fraud and other white collar crimes. We have discussed this marked increase in investigations and prosecutions of various white collar crimes in previous blogs here , here and here. However, a recent press release from…