Being charged with money laundering is very serious. Money laundering is a white collar criminal offense that can result in years in prison, large fines, and the inability to ever again secure a job in certain sectors. If you have been charged with money laundering, your first action should be to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can advocate for you and build your defense. To get started, call The Law Office of Paul R. Moraski directly.
What Is Money Laundering?
As explained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), money laundering refers to the act of disguising financial assets so that they can be used without the detection of the illegal activity by which they were produced. This can take shape in a variety of forms. Some common examples of money laundering techniques include:
- Smurfing/structuring
- Cash-intensive businesses
- Bulk cash smuggling
- Trade-based laundering
- Real estate laundering
- Round tripping
- Shell companies and trusts
- Cyber laundering
Under Massachusetts code, money laundering occurs when an individual:
- Transports or possesses a monetary instrument or other property that was derived from criminal activity with the intent to carry out the criminal activity;
- Engages in a transaction involving property known to be from criminal activity; or
- Directs, organizes, finances, or manages the transportation of monetary instruments/property known to be derived from criminal activity.
Penalties for a Money Laundering Conviction
Money laundering penalties are outlined in Section 2 of Chapter 267A of Massachusetts General Laws. They include an incarceration period for up to six years or/and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the involved property for a first offense, and an incarceration period of between two and eight years or/and a fine of up to $500,000 or three times the value of the involved property for a second offense.
Defense Strategies if You’re Facing Charges
If you’re facing charges, you need to consult with an attorney immediately about what defense strategies may be viable. Potential defenses include:
- Lack of intent
- Lack of knowledge
- Violation of your Constitutional rights during the criminal process
Your attorney’s job is to analyze all of the evidence against you and how it was collected. If your rights have been breached during evidence collection, your attorney can file a motion to have evidence withheld.
Schedule a Consultation Today
At The Law Office of Paul R. Moraski, we know that being charged with a crime like money laundering can have life-changing consequences. If you’re facing charges, don’t make the mistake of trying to represent yourself or settling for an inexperienced lawyer. Instead, call our law office directly for experienced representation you can trust. You can reach us at (978) 397-0011 or by sending a message online. We are here to work for you.