White Collar Crimes
Fraud, Embezzlement and Financial Crimes
Former Prosecutors Who Know How to Confront White-Collar Charges
The term "white-collar crime" refers to serious but non-violent offenses involving ill-gotten financial gains. Since the Enron scandal and other high-profile cases, lawmakers in Florida and nationwide have enacted new laws and dedicated more resources to prosecuting white-collar crimes. The days of "Club Fed" or slap-on-the-wrist sentences are gone. Now, there are long terms in state prison with mandatory minimums.
White-collar crime defendants are often executives, business owners, professionals or employees who are facing the criminal justice system for the first time in their lives. Usually, they are in the position to access company funds and the allegations involve thousands of dollars, sometimes hundreds of thousands.
Early Intervention Can Make a Difference
If you have been arrested, indicted by a grand jury, or suspect you are under investigation, contact us immediately. Hessinger & Kilfin emphasizes pre-filing interaction with prosecutors to get charges dismissed in unfounded cases, or to impact charging decisions so that our clients face less severe felonies or even misdemeanors.
Our St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater Florida criminal defense trial lawyers handle the full range of white collar offenses, including:
- Embezzlement
- Misappropriation of client funds
- Corporate malfeasance
- Grand theft
- Investment scams
- Consumer fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Mortgage fraud and bank fraud
- Identity theft and computer crimes
Experience That Counts
Florida white-collar crime defense attorneys Tim Hessinger and
Donald Kilfin prosecuted financial crimes during their combined 21 years in the State Attorney's Office. They understand the government's resources, timelines and tactics for building a case. They also know the weak links in these prosecutions — dependence on ambiguous financial documents, intercepted communications or the testimony of others who were implicated. They have the ability to sort through the massive paper trail and find the elements of a viable defense.
Damage Control
We understand that even the allegations of a white collar crime can be career-ending. We also understand that the client's reputation in his or her business community may be just as important as the outcome of the criminal case. Tim Hessinger has had many cases that attracted significant media attention. His ability to work with the media to minimize the negative attention on his clients is yet another cog in our multi-faceted representation.
If you have been charged with a white-collar crime or think that indictment is imminent, it is important to obtain competent counsel with the skills and professional experience to guide you through the rigors of the investigation.
You can contact Hessinger & Kilfin by e-mail or by calling our St. Petersburg office at
(888) 863-7415
.
Our white-collar crime defense lawyers represent clients from St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater and surrounding areas.