July 29, 2011
White Collar Crimes in Richmond, Virginia: Defending Against Embezzlement Charges
Charged with taking more than $10,000, a Richmond police officer was indicted July 20, for money he diverted from the Richmond Coalition of Police, Richmond Police Athletic League and a fundraiser for a fellow officer. Earlier this year, the Goochland County Treasurer, admitted to the local Sherriff that she had taken up to $135,000 from the County. A former employee of the Richmond school district plead guilty to stealing $15,000 of federal grant money intended for the Even Start education program.
While none of these individuals’ thefts come anywhere near the $50 million Ponzi scheme of Bernie Madoff, they are all examples of white collar crimes happening right here in Richmond. Whether out of an intention to deprive or because they did not understand that what they were doing was wrong, each act was a white collar crime: embezzlement.
What is Embezzlement in Virginia?
Embezzlement, generally, is the wrongful or fraudulent use, disposal or concealment of funds in any form that were received for someone else, for an employer or that were otherwise entrusted to the person who wrongfully used them. Embezzlement is deemed to be larceny by Virginia statute and is punished accordingly.
Embezzlement is one of a variety of crimes considered to be a ‘white collar crime.’ Other white collar crimes include securities, wire, bank or computer fraud; identity theft; theft of government property by fraud or deception; and computer hacking.
When Do You Need a Richmond Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you’re being investigated for embezzlement, it’s very likely that you know the investigation is occurring. You should not wait until you are charged with a crime to contact an attorney. Anything that you share with the police may eventually be used against. The best thing you can do is to remain silent and contact an experienced Richmond white collar crimes defense attorney as soon as possible.
It’s important to start building your defense as soon as the police begin building a case against you.
Source: Ex-Richmond school employee embezzled grant money for needy families; Goochland County can recover embezzled funds through bond, insurance; Richmond police officer indicted in embezzlement case
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