In Maryland, white collar crimes are defined as non-violent offenses in which a breach of trust is used for financial gains. Common examples of white collar crimes are fraud and embezzlement. These crimes are the direct result of unethical business partners, employees, or individuals in a leadership position who choose to abuse their authority or privileges.
How Embezzlement Differs From Theft Charges
Theft charges originate from the acquisition of money or property by someone unknown to the owner. However, embezzlement connects the two individuals through some form of partnership. Through this relationship, there is an element of trust. In embezzlement cases, the acquisition of the funds are hidden through financial records. Alterations in these records present a reduced value. When charges are presented, investigators discover a higher value of funds for which they aren’t accounted.
Understanding Fraud Charges
Fraud charges encompass a wide spectrum of possibilities. Typically, they originate from a misrepresentation to acquire benefits. For example, individuals who file for Social Security Disability benefits utilizing falsified medical documentation are guilty of fraud.
Higher caliber charges apply to companies that submit claims for government-offered programs. As an illusion, a researcher that files for a grant to start a new project and uses the funds for personal obligations instead of the identified reason. In similar circumstances, a whistle-blower may come forward with information about the fraudulent activity.
In these cases, the whistle-blower is protected under applicable laws. However, the court must find the identified party guilty of fraud for the whistle-blower to benefit from the proceedings. These cases could assist these individuals in acquiring a portion of the funds recovered. This is why the cases are investigated thoroughly as some whistle-blowers are could falsify evidence for financial gains.
White collar crimes are punishable on a federal level if they relate to government-based programs. Over the years, individuals identified in these cases have ranged from private citizens to politicians. In cases in which convictions were achieved, it was the introduction of deception by trusted parties that have been the most disturbing.
