White-Collar Crime Attorney Plano TX

White-collar criminal charges represent some of the most complex and professionally devastating accusations you can face. Unlike violent crimes, these financially motivated offenses often involve educated professionals, business executives, and public officials who suddenly find themselves under federal investigation.

In Plano, Texas, prosecutions frequently involve multiple government agencies, extensive financial records analysis, and penalties that can destroy your career and personal life. The consequences extend far beyond potential jail time — including permanent damage to your professional reputation, loss of professional licenses, and financial ruin through restitution orders.

Our Plano white-collar crime defense team has successfully defended professionals against federal and state charges for over three decades.  Backed by years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer in Plano, Richard C. McConathy offers trusted guidance to professionals whose reputations and livelihoods are on the line.

Contact our Plano white-collar crime lawyers today at (972) 528-0478 to discuss your case in a confidential consultation.

What Is a White-Collar Crime?

White-collar crime refers to financially motivated, non-violent criminal conduct typically committed by business professionals, government officials, or individuals in positions of trust.

Distinguished from “blue-collar” crimes involving physical force, these offenses are characterized by deception, financial gain as motivation, and exploitation of professional opportunities.

White-collar offenses can be prosecuted at both state and federal levels, depending on scope, dollar amounts, and whether conduct crossed state lines or involved federal institutions.

Federal prosecutions often carry more severe penalties and involve agencies like the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the FBI’s 2023 Financial Crimes Report, white-collar crime costs the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually, making these offenses a high priority for federal prosecutors.

Common White-Collar Crimes We Handle in Plano

Our experienced defense team handles the full spectrum of white-collar criminal charges in Plano and throughout Collin County. Each offense type requires specialized knowledge of both criminal law and the underlying business or financial practices involved.

Fraud Charges

Fraud encompasses various schemes designed to obtain money or property through deception.

Common fraud charges we defend against include:

Bank Fraud – Schemes to defraud financial institutions or obtain money, credits, or other assets from banks through false pretenses. Federal bank fraud carries penalties up to 30 years imprisonment and $1 million fines.

Wire Fraud – Using electronic communications (phone, email, internet) to further a fraudulent scheme. This federal offense often serves as the foundation for prosecuting complex business crimes.

Healthcare Fraud – Billing insurance companies or government programs for services not provided, unnecessary procedures, or inflated costs. With Texas healthcare expenditures exceeding $200 billion annually, these cases receive intensive prosecution.

Mortgage Fraud – Misrepresenting information on loan applications, property values, or income documentation. Following the 2008 financial crisis, federal agencies have aggressively pursued mortgage-related offenses.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement involves the unlawful appropriation of funds or property by someone entrusted with those assets.

This commonly occurs when:

• Employees divert company funds for personal use
• Trust account managers misappropriate client money
• Non-profit directors use organizational resources inappropriately
• Corporate officers manipulate company accounts

Money Laundering

Money laundering involves disguising the origins of illegally obtained money by passing it through complex transfers and transactions. Texas Penal Code Section 34.02 defines money laundering as conducting financial transactions to conceal the source, ownership, or control of funds.

The federal Money Laundering Control Act imposes severe penalties, including up to 20 years imprisonment and fines of $500,000 or twice the amount laundered, whichever is greater.

Bribery & Corruption

Bribery charges involve offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence official actions.

This includes:

• Public corruption involving government officials
• Commercial bribery in private business transactions
• Kickback schemes in contracting or procurement
• Campaign finance violations

Texas has specific statutes addressing both public servant bribery (Texas Penal Code Chapter 36) and commercial bribery in private transactions.

Forgery & Counterfeiting

These offenses involve creating, altering, or possessing false documents with intent to defraud.

Common examples include:

• Forged checks or financial instruments
• Altered contracts or agreements
• Fake identification documents
• Counterfeit currency or securities

Under Texas Penal Code Section 32.21, forgery can be charged as a state jail felony to a first-degree felony depending on the value involved.

Tax Evasion or Tax Fraud

Tax crimes involve willful attempts to evade or defeat tax obligations.Both state and federal tax authorities aggressively prosecute these offenses:

• Federal tax evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201) carries penalties up to 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 fines
• Filing false returns or failing to file required returns
• Payroll tax violations by business owners
• Sales tax fraud prosecuted by Texas Comptroller’s Office

Identity Theft

Modern identity theft often involves sophisticated schemes using personal information to commit fraud. Texas Penal Code Section 32.51 addresses various forms of identity theft, including:

• Using another person’s identifying information without consent
• Data breaches exposing customer information
• Credit card fraud and account takeovers
• Social Security number misuse

Cybercrime

As businesses increasingly rely on digital systems, computer-related crimes have become more common:

• Unauthorized access to financial systems
• Corporate data theft
• Online fraud schemes
• Computer hacking for financial gain

The federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030) provides the foundation for most cybercrime prosecutions.

Federal vs. State White-Collar Charges in Texas

The distinction between federal and state prosecution significantly impacts your case strategy, potential penalties, and available defenses. Understanding this difference is crucial for mounting an effective defense.

Federal Jurisdiction Triggers

Federal agencies typically take jurisdiction when:

• Interstate commerce is involved (transactions crossing state lines)
• Federal institutions are affected (banks, credit unions, federal programs)
• Wire communications are used to further the scheme
• Tax obligations to the federal government are involved
• Securities regulations are violated

Multiple federal agencies may investigate white-collar crimes:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Complex fraud schemes and public corruption
• Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) – Tax crimes and money laundering
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Securities fraud and market manipulation
• Department of Justice (DOJ) – Prosecution coordination and major cases

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, covering the Dallas-Fort Worth area including Plano, has prioritized white-collar crime prosecution.

Federal white-collar prosecutions often result in significantly harsher penalties than state charges, including longer prison sentences with limited parole eligibility, asset forfeiture, restitution orders, and extended post-incarceration monitoring.

Related: https://mcconathylaw.com/blog/criminal-investigation-warning-signs/

Potential Penalties for White-Collar Crimes in Texas

White-collar crime convictions carry consequences extending far beyond traditional criminal penalties. Professional and personal impacts often prove more devastating than the actual sentence imposed.

Criminal Penalties include imprisonment (probation to decades in federal prison), substantial fines, full victim restitution, and years of court supervision.

Professional Consequences involve license revocation for CPAs, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and real estate licensees. Many industries prohibit employing individuals with financial crime convictions, including banking, insurance, government contracting, and public sector positions.

Personal Impact includes permanent criminal records affecting professional relationships, community standing, credit applications, and housing opportunities.

How Our Plano White-Collar Crime Attorneys Can Help

Effective white-collar defense requires specialized expertise in both criminal law and the complex business practices underlying these charges. Our team brings over 35 years of combined experience defending professionals against sophisticated financial crime allegations.

Early Intervention

Pre-charge representation often provides the best opportunity to avoid criminal charges entirely. When you become aware of a government investigation:

• We immediately contact investigating agencies to understand the scope and timeline
• Proffer agreements may allow controlled cooperation while protecting your interests
• Grand jury proceedings can sometimes be influenced through early advocacy
• Target letter responses require careful strategy to avoid self-incrimination

Strategic Defense Planning

Each white-collar case requires customized defense strategies based on the specific charges, evidence, and client circumstances:

Financial Analysis – Our team works with forensic accountants and financial experts to:

• Reconstruct complex financial transactions
• Identify alternative explanations for suspicious activity
• Challenge government calculations of loss amounts
• Demonstrate legitimate business purposes for questioned conduct

Technical Defenses – Many white-collar cases involve technical legal issues:

• Intent challenges – Proving lack of criminal intent in complex business decisions
• Statute of limitations defenses for older alleged misconduct
• Jurisdictional challenges to federal prosecution authority
• Constitutional violations in investigation procedures

Negotiation with Prosecutors

Most white-collar cases resolve through negotiated plea agreements rather than trial. Our experience with local and federal prosecutors enables us to:

• Reduce charges from felonies to misdemeanors where possible
• Minimize sentence exposure through cooperation and mitigation
• Structure restitution payments to avoid financial devastation
• Preserve professional licenses through strategic charge negotiation

Trial Representation

When cases proceed to trial, white-collar defense requires sophisticated courtroom advocacy:

• Jury selection focusing on business-oriented jurors who understand complex transactions
• Expert witnesses to explain technical financial concepts
• Document presentation making complex evidence understandable
• Cross-examination of government agents and cooperating witnesses

Protecting Your Reputation

High-profile white-collar cases require discreet handling to minimize reputational damage:

• Media strategy coordination when cases attract public attention
• Professional notification procedures to protect licensing issues
• Client confidentiality maintained throughout representation
• Damage control efforts with employers and professional associations

Why Choose Our Firm for Your White-Collar Crime Defense in Plano?

When facing white-collar criminal charges, your choice of counsel can determine whether you maintain your freedom, career, and reputation. Our firm offers distinct advantages for sophisticated financial crime defense including extensive local knowledge, decades of combined experience, proven results in complex financial crimes, and personalized, confidential service for professional clients.

What to Do If You’re Being Investigated for a White-Collar Crime

The initial response to a white-collar investigation often determines the outcome. Many defendants damage their cases through well-intentioned but misguided actions during early investigation.

Don’t speak to investigators without legal counsel.
Federal agents are trained to elicit incriminating statements even from innocent subjects. Miranda warnings aren’t required for voluntary interviews, statements can be mischaracterized, and perjury charges may result from inaccurate responses.

Preserve all documentation carefully.
Don’t destroy records – even routine document destruction may be charged as obstruction. Identify relevant materials including electronic files and coordinate with legal counsel before producing documents.

Avoid destroying or altering evidence.
Obstruction of justice charges often result from attempts to conceal evidence, with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment under federal law.

Contact us immediately at (972) 528-0478 for constitutional protection, investigation strategy, cooperation evaluation, and damage control.

Related Practice Areas

Our comprehensive criminal defense practice extends beyond white-collar crimes to serve clients facing various allegations in Plano and throughout North Texas.

For clients facing any criminal charges, our experienced criminal defense attorney in Plano provides experienced representation across all offense categories.

Understanding the differences between representation options is crucial – our analysis of private practice vs public defender helps clients make informed decisions about their defense strategy.

Contact Our Plano White-Collar Crime Lawyers Today

White-collar criminal charges demand immediate, sophisticated legal response. Every day matters when your freedom, career, and reputation are at stake. Our experienced defense team is ready to protect your interests and fight for the best possible outcome.

📍 Understanding the Plano Arrest and Court Process

If facing white-collar charges in Plano, understanding the local court system can significantly impact your defense strategy. Most minor charges begin at Plano Municipal Court, located in the Raymond Robinson Justice Center (900 E 15th Street, Plano, TX 75074).

Municipal Court Details:

• Court Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
• Phone: (972) 941-2199
• Parking: Limited street parking on E 15th Street – arrive 15 minutes early for security screening
• Location: Just west of downtown Plano, immediately west of US-75

Serious felony white-collar cases are prosecuted at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building (2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071).

County Court Information:

• Phone: (972) 548-4100
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Parking: Free parking available in the Collin County Administration Building parking lot
• Directions from Plano: Take US-75 North, exit Bloomdale Road (42B), follow service road north, turn left on Bloomdale for 0.4 miles

If arrested, you’ll be processed initially and then transported to the Collin County Detention Facility (4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, TX 75071). The jail can be reached at (972) 547-5200 for inmate information and bond status.

What to Expect at Arraignment

At Plano Municipal Court: First appearances typically occur within business hours. Bring photo ID and any paperwork received at arrest. Professional dress is required as courts maintain strict decorum.

At Collin County Courthouse: Upon entering, you’ll go through security screening similar to airports. Designated waiting areas are available outside courtrooms if your case isn’t immediately called.

💡 Local Knowledge Advantage: Our attorneys are familiar with individual judges’ preferences, local prosecutor negotiation styles, and court-specific procedures that can benefit your case strategy.

District Attorney’s Office

White-collar prosecutions in Collin County are handled by District Attorney Greg Willis‘ office, located at 2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 100, McKinney, TX 75071. The DA’s office can be reached at (972) 548-4323.

Why Act Now?

• Investigation windows provide opportunities to influence outcomes before charges are filed
• Statute of limitations defenses may be available for older alleged conduct
• Evidence preservation requires immediate attention to protect your rights
• Professional licensing issues need prompt attention to avoid automatic suspensions

What We Offer

Confidential Consultations – We understand the sensitive nature of white-collar allegations and provide completely confidential case evaluations.

Immediate Response – Our attorneys are available for emergency consultations when investigations begin.

Comprehensive Defense – From pre-charge advocacy through trial representation, we handle every aspect of your case.

Professional Protection – We coordinate with licensing boards and employers to minimize career impact.

Get Started Today

Don’t face federal investigators or prosecutors alone. Get experienced defense from a Plano white-collar attorney you can trust.

Call (972) 528-0478 now for a confidential case review.

Our office is conveniently located in Plano, and we’re available for immediate consultations. Don’t let white-collar charges destroy everything you’ve worked to build.

FAQs About White-Collar Crimes in Plano

What qualifies as a white-collar crime in Texas?

White-collar crimes are financially motivated offenses typically committed by professionals or business people through deception rather than violence. Texas recognizes various white-collar offenses including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, and bribery. These crimes are characterized by breach of trust, professional opportunity to commit the offense, and financial gain as the primary motive.

Is embezzlement a felony in Texas?

Embezzlement penalties depend on the amount involved. Under Texas Penal Code Section 31.03:

• Under $2,500: Class A misdemeanor
• $2,500-$30,000: State jail felony
• $30,000-$150,000: Third-degree felony
• $150,000-$300,000: Second-degree felony
• Over $300,000: First-degree felony

Aggravating factors like victim age or nonprofit organization involvement can enhance charges.

Can you go to jail for white-collar crimes?

Yes, white-collar convictions frequently result in imprisonment. Federal white-collar sentences often involve years in federal prison, while Texas state charges can result in significant jail time. However, factors like first-time offender status, cooperation, and mitigation evidence may result in probation or reduced sentences.

Who investigates white-collar crimes in Plano?

Multiple agencies may investigate white-collar crimes:

• Plano Police Department – Local financial crimes
• Collin County District Attorney’s Office – State-level prosecution
• FBI – Federal fraud and corruption cases
• IRS Criminal Investigation – Tax-related crimes
• Texas Attorney General – Consumer protection violations
• Federal prosecutors through the U.S. Attorney’s Office

How long does a white-collar crime investigation take?

White-collar investigations vary significantly in duration. Simple cases may resolve within months, while complex multi-defendant conspiracies can take years to develop. Federal investigations typically take longer due to grand jury proceedings and inter-agency coordination. The investigation timeline often depends on:

• Complexity of financial transactions
• Number of defendants and witnesses
• Volume of documents and electronic evidence
• Cooperation from subjects and witnesses
• Resource availability at investigating agencies

Early legal representation can help expedite investigations and potentially resolve cases without formal charges.