The former owner of an accounting firm in Munster, Indiana was sentenced in May of 2018 to eight years in federal prison for bank fraud as well as other offenses, including concealment of assets during bankruptcy, false tax return, and wire fraud. The defendant has already announced plans to appeal by filing the required notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit just a few days after being sentenced.
How the Accounting Offenses Arose
The accounting firm handled medical billing for physicians and was convicted of stealing millions of dollars from clients, which was then used for gambling at a local casino. According to a 2014 indictment, the defendant received money from a physician who hired the accountant’s company to provide accounting, payroll, and tax services. Between 2008 to 2009, the defendant is alleged to have had large checks issued from the physician’s account to another physician’s account without the knowledge of either doctor. The accountant is also alleged to have transferred money into a second account. After the money was transferred into the second physician’s account, the accountant would have a cashier’s check issued to himself which would then be used for gambling at a local casino. After being convicted, the defendant was ordered to pay $4,128,331 to the victims of his crimes.
Mail and Wire Charges
In accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1343, wire fraud is classified as a federal offense. This crime occurs when a person uses wire communication to illegally obtain financial gain. For the purpose of the law, “wire communication” can include any use of wire, radio, or television. As the case at the beginning of this article shows, many offenses that involve wire fraud also include bribery, extortion, fraud, money laundering, and other similar offenses. A large number of federal wire fraud charges involve individuals in one state who receive information via wire from another state. Given the serious nature of these charges, they frequently result in severe penalties. A person can end up facing up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars if convicted.
Every wire fraud case depends on a unique set of factors that change between cases. Wire fraud cases frequently rely on several underlying elements to make a conviction. Most of the time when people appeal wire fraud cases, they raise arguments about whether sufficient evidence exists to establish that a person committed each essential element of the crime or whether the person being charged had the intent to commit wire fraud.
Obtain the Assistance of a Seasoned Federal Criminal Appeal Lawyer
Filing a federal criminal appeal in a wire fraud or other type of financial case can be challenging, but if done appropriately, the results can be life-changing. If you are charged with bank fraud or any other type of financial offense, do not hesitate to obtain the assistance of a seasoned attorney at the Federal Criminal Defense Center. Speak with legal counsel at our firm today for assistance.