Money Laundering & Bribery

When you have been accused of a serious crime involving fraud or another type of white-collar criminal act, you need a lawyer who has experience defending against these types of charges. I am Jonathan Jones, a Detroit area criminal defense attorney who has been protecting people’s rights for more than 30 years. If you have been accused of criminal activity, it is essential to seek legal advice right away.

We are 100 percent dedicated to the practice of criminal defense and we are 100 percent committed to helping you get the best possible results. Call or text us at (248) 310-3399, or contact us online.

Building a Strong Defense Against all White-Collar Criminal Accusations

Bribery

In Michigan, any person who corruptly gives, offers, or promises any gift, gratuity or money to a public officer, agent, or employee of the government with the intent to influence the act, vote, opinion, or decision or judgement of a government official pending before him or her is guilty of the felony offense of bribery.

A public officer who accepts a bribe may also be charged. Any public officer who corruptly accepts any gift or gratuity to do any act beneficial to such officer, under an agreement or understanding that his vote or judgment shall be given in any particular manner is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 10 years, or by fine of not more than $5,000.00.

It is illegal to give a bribe to the following:

• Appraiser
• Receiver
• Police officer
• Judge
• Trustee
• Executor
• Auditor
• Referee
• Juror

Penalties

Bribery is a felony that carries with it a 4-year prison sentence along with a possible $5,000.00 fine. A crime of bribery that is committed during a criminal trial for an offense punishable by 10 or more years of prison, the maximum penalty increases to 10 years in prison and fines of $20,000.00.

Money Laundering

In Michigan, money laundering occurs when a person attempts to hide a source of money. Money laundering typically occurs when a person obtains money through illegal activity. The person then hides the money to make the money appear as if it was obtained legitimately.

Forms of money laundering include:

• Purchasing property with dirty money and selling the property to obtain clean money
• Under-valuing or over-valuing invoices to conceal movement of money
• Funneling Illegal money through a legitimate business
• Depositing small amounts of cash over a period of time into a bank account
• Depositing cash into offshore banks

Penalties

There are 4 degrees of money laundering with differing penalties depending on the degree

• 4th degree money laundering is a misdemeanor punishable by ups to 2 years in jail and a fine of either $10.00.00 or twice the amount of the illegal money involved in the crime, whichever is greater
• 3rd degree money laundering is considered a felony offense, which can lead to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000.00. The fine may increase depending on the amount of illegally obtained money
• 2nd degree money laundering is a felony, it carries up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of $100,000.00
• 1st degree money laundering is a felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $500,000.00 fine, or a fine that is twice the value of the illegal proceeds.

We don’t need to tell you that if you have been charged with or are under investigation for suspected criminal activity, you are facing a big problem. However, when you hire us, your problem becomes our problem. We handle all matters concerning alleged white-collar crimes.

We understand how to attack the prosecution’s case. We can challenge the state’s accusations of intent, and whether your right to be free from unreasonable searches or seizures were violated. Many times, these charges result from simple misunderstandings. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case, we will work hard to help get your charges dismissed.

Contact Our Royal Oak Law Office

We provide the personal attention and respect our clients need and deserve. When you hire us, you get me, not a junior associate or a paralegal. Call or text Jonathan at (248) 310-3399, or contact us online. We have our mobile phones on us at all times, so you can expect a prompt response. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work building you a strong defense.