Accounting Fraud

One of the more common “white-collar” crimes is accounting fraud. Accounting fraud is not one particular crime but the elements of the crime always involve the manipulation of accounting and/or financial records for some benefit or gain. Accounting fraud as prosecuted by the federal government can fall under a number of offenses. Some examples of accounting fraud include:

• Falsifying business sales, income, or losses
• Falsifying bank entries
• Misrepresenting expenses or liabilities
• Misrepresenting business gains or profit in order to avoid taxes
• Misrepresenting business income or assets to potential investors
• Insider trading
• Money laundering

Accounting fraud, when prosecuted by the federal government, will almost always be diligently investigated by the SEC or the IRS and the federal laws are often severely prosecuted. A thorough investigation of the evidence by a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can often reveal a weakness in evidence used to support the elements and defeat or mitigate the charges and/or penalties. As an experienced Orange County accounting fraud defense lawyer, William Weinberg understands the elements of the federal criminal accounting fraud statutes, which the prosecution must establish, in order to successfully prosecute the case and can use the prosecution’s own investigation to defend the charge.

Accounting fraud, when prosecuted by the State of California, will often result in embezzlement or grand theft charges. A person who "cooks the books," fraudulently writes checks to themselves on the company account, or misrepresents a company's financial position are all examples of accounting fraud. Charges may also be brought under the California Corporations Code. The misrepresentation of a financial investment to potential investors is an example of accounting fraud that may be prosecuted under the Corporations Code. Even though these crimes are a violation of the Corporations Code, they are still criminal in nature with substantial penalties including imprisonment.

As an accounting fraud defense lawyer in Orange County, William Weinberg has defended many white-collar fraud clients in the state and federal courts. Often, there are psychological influences that push clients to steal from their employers or other vulnerable entities, along with an addiction that has gone untreated for years. Sometimes, economic difficulties influence the client to regrettably believe the difficulty can be resolved by accounting fraud. While every case is unique, these circumstances often present options that Attorney Weinberg can pursue to develop a more complete picture for the court and the probation department. By shaping the narrative through detailed analysis, background investigation and research, Orange County attorney William Weinberg has persuaded many courts to treat those accused of accounting fraud fairly with excellent outcomes for his clients.

As an accounting fraud defense attorney in Orange County who has the experience and proven results, Mr. Weinberg will vigorously defend your rights to the full extent of the law. He has successfully defended hundreds of clients, including those charged with accounting fraud. Contact Mr. Weinberg any time to set up a confidential consultation without charge. You can reach him at (949) 474-8008 or by email at bill@williamweinberg.com. Mr. Weinberg will work with you and your family to provide a fee structure that best suits your circumstances.