Common White Collar Crimes and Defenses
March 31, 2025
White collar crimes are serious offenses that are often prosecuted federally. If convicted, you could face serious criminal consequences, such as substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences, together with seizure of assets and other civil actions.
The term “white collar crime” generally refers to financial crimes that are committed with the intention of fraudulently obtaining financial gain. Common examples include tax fraud, securities fraud, insurance fraud, and insider trading.
White collar crimes are much more complex than most other criminal [...]
A 36-year-old Fruita woman was recently accused of collecting almost $10,000 in unemployment benefits while she was, in fact, employed.
The investigation began in 2017, when a random audit of one of the suspect’s employers revealed that she had been employed while collecting unemployment benefits. She is now facing multiple felony-level charges of fraud, theft, and computer crimes.
The process of filing for unemployment and receiving benefits is complex – meaning that it is common for people to intentionally exploit [...]
Undoubtedly you have heard of both fraud and forgery, and you probably know that both are illegal acts punishable by the laws of Colorado. You might not realize, though, that forgery is actually a specific type of fraud. Or that there are six different laws in our state statutes related to the act of forgery.
This is important to understand, because most people’s understanding of what forgery is only encompasses some of these charges. You need to know what the [...]
There are a lot of good things that have come from legalizing marijuana in our state. Tax money collected from the marijuana industry has been used for programs around the state. Police have been able to focus their efforts on more serious offenses. Colorado has even developed a new tourism industry based largely on the legalization of marijuana.
Unfortunately, while marijuana legalization is still doing great things for our state, the industry is showing signs of getting spoiled by white [...]
What do Enron, Bernie Madoff, Charles Ponzi, Tyco International, Jack Abramoff, and WorldCom have in common?
Although it might sound like the beginning of a bad joke, the men and companies on this list have all been involved in white collar criminal activity and are notorious for their crimes. They might seem like heroes to some. Stealing money from others and keeping it for themselves. But they aren’t heroes. They’re criminals. I make this point not to pass further judgment [...]
White-collar crimes happen behind computer screens, in boardrooms, or through a simple email. For the accused, the situation can be overwhelming. One wrong move, one misunderstood email, or even an honest mistake can lead to criminal charges. And the consequences aren’t just financial—they can destroy careers, reputations, and personal lives.
If you’re facing accusations of white-collar crime, you need to act fast. Speak to our Denver, CO criminal defense attorneys from the Law Office of Jacob Martinez to discuss your [...]
The prosecution won’t tell you this, but not all evidence holds up in court. An illegal search, a flawed drug test, or even a simple paperwork mistake can make their case fall apart. And when key evidence gets thrown out, so do a lot of drug charges. The legal system isn’t perfect, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept bad evidence being used against you. A good defense starts with challenging everything—how the drugs were found, who handled them, [...]
A traffic stop should never feel like an ambush, but for many, it does. Sometimes, what starts as a routine stop escalates into a search or detention that feels invasive—or worse, illegal. The Fourth Amendment exists to prevent this kind of overreach, but not all officers play by the rules. When law enforcement crosses the line, it’s not just wrong—it’s a violation of your constitutional rights.
At the Law Office of Jacob E. Martinez, we’re committed to protecting your rights [...]