mintzerlawThe term “misappropriation of funds” is talked about quite a bit, but what does it actually mean? Generally speaking, misappropriation of funds is any act that results in money being used in a manner in which it is not intended to be. In many cases, it results in an embezzlement charge, which is the taking of […]
It is especially important for public servants to remain honest in carrying out their duties, which is why the Texas Ethics Commission has developed a set of guidelines for these individuals to follow. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in that person being removed from the position in addition to significant monetary fines and incarceration time. […]
Embezzlement charges involve the purposeful theft or misuse of company funds or property by an employee. It includes illegal activities such as theft of money or property, unauthorized transfer of funds, modifying financial records and falsifying or concealing financial information. Repaying an employer for the money or property that was embezzled could lead to a more lenient sentence. Defenses […]
Recruiting honest and reliable employees is one of the more difficult aspects of business ownership and management. Employee fraud can really hurt the bottom line of any business or organization. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, occupational fraud and abuse is a significant problem for U.S. businesses. Professional forensic investigators report that the average […]
Money laundering allows drug dealers, embezzlers and other criminals to move illegal cash into the legal economy. Even though federal law requires banking officials to report every deposit that exceeds $10,000, creative criminals employ a network of banks, businesses and small deposits to legitimize the dirty cash, making it difficult for law enforcement investigators to prove the origin of […]
Schools offering degrees without establishing standards as to the amount of work a student must do or without establishing minimum standards that a student must meet to achieve the degree frequently are referred to as diploma mills. Fraudulently issuing a diploma or using a fictitious degree obtained from a degree mill drains state budgets as […]
Theft by means of lying and cheating, as opposed to the use of force or threats of force, has been referred to as a white-collar crime since 1939. According to Chapter 31 of the Texas Penal Code, embezzlement is a white-collar crime that occurs when a person to whom money or property has been entrusted steals all or […]
Being involved in the sale or lease of a motor vehicle usually does not place the transaction’s participants at risk of committing a felony crime. Texas criminal laws impose penalties on motor vehicle dealers and others who engage in fraudulent activities that deceive owners or buyers. Fraudulent Transfer of a Motor Vehicle in Texas The Texas Penal […]