Federal Wire Fraud Defense Firm

wire fraud defense lawyers litigation and appeals

Federal Contractor Wire Fraud Defense Lawyers

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR FEDERAL WIRE FRAUD DEFENSE FIRM HELPING WITH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY CASES INVOLVING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND FRAUD AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT- WATSON & ASSOCIATES’ FEDERAL WIRE FRAUD DEFENSE ATTORNEYS HELP FEDERAL CONTRACTORS AVOID SOME OF THE MOST COSTLY LEGAL MISTAKES WHEN INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL FALSE CLAIMS ACT CASES

A Few Things to Know Up Front in Wire Fraud Cases

Government contractors and their CEOs get convicted very easily because the approach in government contractor criminal cases and be tricky. An important fact is that federal prosecutors do not have to prove that wire communications were themselves false or fraudulent.  Instead, the government lawyers have to show that electronic communications were used as part of the alleged fraud. The question is what can you do to make the focus on the charge go away? Wire fraud defenses can be utilized in a government contracting fraud case in a different way.  Also, in federal cases, the prosecutor does not have to prove that the fraudulent scheme was successful.

 LAWYERS ON OUR TEAM

  • Our goal is to save our clients’ reputation and that of the company
  • Invest the time and resources upfront to see if have a stronger legal defense or whether a settlement is even possible
  • Save your company’s reputation and avoid jail time
  • Hire government fraud attorneys that also understand SBA small business programs and the rules that regulate them

Nationwide Help – Government Contracting Wire Fraud Lawyers 

Nationwide Federal wire fraud defense firm for federal contractors: With law offices in Washington, D.C. and in Denver, Colorado, Watson & Associates, LLC will form a team of federal defense lawyers to represent government contractors, corporations, and individuals in a variety of situations involving procurement fraud, mail and wire statutes, and other similar fraud against the government cases. Hiring our government contracting wire fraud lawyers, we will put together a defense team that vigorously protects your rights. Our government contractor criminal defense attorneys provide nationwide legal services involving federal cases involving:

  • Both civil and criminal false claims
  • Government fraud investigations and litigation
  • Penalty negotiation
  • Mail fraud felony defense
  • Procurement fraud and false statements (criminal)
  • Selling defective parts to the government;
  • Bribery of public officials
  • False Claims Act criminal and civil cases
  • Whistleblower and Qui Tam Defense
  • Medicare fraud
  • SBA HUBZone Program, SBA 8(a), SDVOSB Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Programs
  • SBIRS, embezzlement, and government grants;
  • False statements  and fraudulent invoices;
  • Alleged conspiracy to commit wire fraud defense

Mail fraud and wire fraud cases under 18 u.s.c. 1343 tend to be brought by federal prosecutors as additional criminal charges that support the underlying crime. For example, in procurement fraud and False Claims Act cases, criminal charges will be brought because government contractors use electronic means to obtain and secure government contracts or allegedly have violated SBA small business programs.

At Watson & Associates, our federal wire fraud defense firm aggressively defends corporations, executives and individuals that are charged with federal SDVOSB fraud, HUBZone Fraud and SBA 8(a) BD fraud cases, government contracting FAR regulations, False Claims Act criminal charges, and also a violation of SBA small business programs. We develop an attorney-client relationship whereby you are heavily involved in the decision-making and planning process.

NATIONWIDE CONTRACTOR FEDERAL WIRE FRAUD DEFENSE LAWYERS

The process of defeating a federal charge begins with knowing how the criminal justice system works and using it to your advantage. The mail and federal wire fraud defense lawyers at Watson & Associates have represented individuals and corporations in various types of procurement fraud cases that even include federal government contracts and penalties.

What is Wire Fraud 18 USC 1343?

What is wire fraud first depends on the facts of each case that will contribute to the result of federal charges and what conviction and penalties will be imposed in federal court. United States Code 18 USC 1343 allows punishment for a contractor or person who devises a scheme to defraud or obtain money or property by false pretenses or false certifications to the government. When federal government contractors violate 18 USC 1343, they can be liable for large fines and jail time of up to 20 years. In federal procurement, when you use email, the internet, telephones, fax machines or other equipment to further get paid for, getting some benefit from the government, small business certification, grants or other benefits, the federal government will build a case under the definition and bring criminal charges.

Elements of Proof

For the federal government to prove its case must show some variation of the following wire fraud elements:

  1.  The defendant voluntarily and intentionally devised or participated in a scheme to defraud another out of money;
  2. That the defendant did so with the intent to defraud;
  3. That it was reasonably foreseeable that interstate wire communications would be used; and
  4. That interstate wire communications were in fact used

Penalties 

Under federal law, Wire Fraud is considered to be a Class C felony. You can be exposed to penalties of up to twenty years in prison time, three years of supervised release, and $250,000 in hefty fines. Additionally, a court will order complete restitution will be ordered.  Obtaining money or property will lead to proceeds being confiscated. 

The United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual, §2B1,  states that if you are convicted of Wire Fraud you can be facing a base offense level score of between 6-36. This rating will drive a period of probation  which carries  a prison term of up to 33 months in prison before any mitigating or aggravating circumstances would be considered

Importantly, probation is rarely given in federal cases and the amount of financial loss or the existence of aggravating offense characteristics associated with a particular Wire Fraud case can result in a significantly greater prison sentence than 33 months in prison.

In a criminal prosecution case, the government typically argues that you have participated in a fraudulent scheme with the intent to defraud the government. Whether the charges are brought through wire fraud or mail fraud is not greatly significant. What really matters Is how to aggressively defend the case. This is where Watson & Associates’ federal wire fraud defense attorneys and federal criminal defense lawyers can help.

Potential Wire Fraud Defenses?

Government contracting fraud cases are very fact-specific. A possible way of overcoming federal wire fraud lawsuit is to primarily focus on the “intent to defraud” elements. Many courts agree with the premise that a Defendant is not guilty of fraud if one honestly believes that the representations or statements send through the wire were false. This is often called the wire fraud good faith defense.

Gaining success in asserting wire fraud defenses can be challenging. In government contract fraud cases, it is better to also focus on the underlying criminal activity and allegations that pre-existed before the fraud took place. However, there are defenses that can be used to eliminate allegations under 18 USC 343. Examples of potential defenses to allegations of procurement fraud include:

  • Constructive Fraud;
  • Good Faith
  • Lack of Intent;
  • Lack of Authority;
  • Lack of Purpose, and
  • Statute of Limitations.

Contact Our Federal Wire Fraud Defense Lawyers

If you find out that you are under federal investigation for conspiracy to commit fraud, have been charged with allegations of government contract fraud or some other white-collar crime, or need help with negotiating criminal penalties, call our government contractor criminal defense lawyers and  federal wire fraud defense lawyers for a FREE Initial Consultation at 1-866-601-5518. Note that the information on this website is not intended to be legal advice. You must get help from an attorney.