Investment Fraud

Professionals who regularly deal with money and investments such as stockbrokers are frequently accused of investment or securities fraud. While considered a white collar crime, investment fraud is also a non-violent theft crime. If charged and convicted, individuals face serious criminal penalties which may affect not only your freedom, but your career and reputation as well. At The Justice Firm, our Los Angeles investment fraud lawyers work vigorously on behalf of those accused of this criminal offense. Our top priority is to have charges dismissed or reduced, or secure a not-guilty verdict should your case go to trial.

There are many offenses which may be considered investment fraud or securities fraud. These include:

• Accounting fraud
• Unauthorized or unsuitable investing or trading
• Insider trading
• Ponzi schemes
• Real estate fraud
• Churning
• Capital raising schemes
• Shareholder fraud
• Understating revenues
• Overstating assets
• Creating illegal accounts

Investment fraud is an offense governed by numerous federal and state laws; even top fund managers and exceptional financial planners may be punished under these laws. Both state and federal governments are putting forth more effort in recent years to uncover circumstances involving potential investment fraud. Harsh sentences await those convicted according to the penalties set forth in such federal statutes as the Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Act of 1934. Criminal fraud includes committing acts which may cause loss or harm to another individual, or which may result in an undeserved or unfair benefit for the individual who commits the fraudulent offense.

The penalties for investment fraud vary depending on your unique situation, and may include prison time, fines, and a criminal record. In fact, individuals who are convicted for violating Sarbanes-Oxley or other federal laws may face as much as 25 years in prison, and fines which range in millions of dollars. Investment fraud may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony as determined by the prosecutor. Misdemeanor crimes typically incur less serious penalties, while felony offenses will leave the defendant facing harsher penalties. It is also important to note that under California law, fraud offenses are usually considered crimes of moral turpitude. Essentially, this means that a legal resident alien may be subject to removal or deportation if convicted of a fraud crime. If you hold a professional license, it may be suspended or revoked as well.

Considering courts have no compassion for those accused of investment fraud, it is critical to obtain the legal guidance and support of a seasoned Los Angeles investment fraud attorney.

Investment fraud is a serious criminal offense, leaving those convicted facing extremely harsh penalties. As with every crime, those charged are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. At The Justice Firm, our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers put all of our skill, effort, knowledge, and experience to work for our clients, providing you with a solid, effective defense should it become necessary to go to trial. Contact us immediately at 310-914-2444 for unsurpassed legal counsel.