Money laundering is usually described in three core stages: placement, layering, and integration. Many guides add a fourth, extraction, which is the point where the now-"clean" money actually gets spent. So when people ask about the four stages of money laundering, they're really describing those three classic steps plus that final cash-out phase. At...
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How does money laundering affect the economy?
Money laundering hurts the economy by distorting markets and undermining the banks and honest businesses that play by the rules. It also drains tax revenue that governments depend on, and because dirty money moves across borders, the damage can ripple out to a national or even global scale.
If you're facing money laundering charges, the...
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What is wire fraud conspiracy?
Wire fraud conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit wire fraud. In plain terms, it means the federal government believes a group worked together on a fraudulent scheme that relied on electronic communications to try to obtain money or property.
It's a serious white-collar charge, and the consequences can reach into...
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DOJ launches West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force
The Department of Justice recently announced a new West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force covering Arizona, Nevada, and the Northern District of California. The initiative expands federal enforcement efforts targeting telehealth fraud, kickback schemes, Medicaid billing fraud, controlled substance distribution, and other healthcare-related investigations.
For healthcare businesses and medical professionals, the message from DOJ...
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Can you “accidentally” commit tax fraud?
Federal tax fraud cases don't always begin with deliberate wrongdoing. The line between an honest mistake and a criminal charge comes down to intent, and the government doesn't always read that the way you do. What feels like “accidental” tax evasion in one person’s eyes, like a missed income source or a deduction you...
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How wire transfer fraud happens in real estate
Real estate wire fraud happens when a hacker accesses someone's email during a real estate sale and changes the wiring instructions. The buyer follows those instructions and sends their down payment (sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars) to an account controlled by the hacker instead of the one they intended. By the time anyone...
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What are the most common types of healthcare fraud?
Health care fraud can take many forms, but there are common types of health care fraud schemes frequently prosecuted by the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). It is also a frequent subject of False Claims Act (“FCA”) qui tam suits. FCA actions have resulted in the recovery of billions of dollars on behalf...
How the DOJ is using the False Claims Act to pursue customs and tariff violations
The U.S. Department of Justice is expanding its use of the False Claims Act (FCA) to address customs fraud and tariff evasion. In 2025, the DOJ, working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), intensified civil enforcement against companies accused of misclassifying imports, misrepresenting the country of...
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Can you get probation for federal charges?
Yes, you can get probation for federal charges in certain cases. However, federal probation is not common and depends heavily on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the nature of the offense, and your criminal history.
In federal court, probation is available only when the advisory guideline range permits it or when a judge determines that a...
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Why 2026 could be a pivotal year for False Claims Act jurisprudence
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued its year-end report for 2025, noting accomplishments of the civil cases filed under the False Claims Act (FCA), on January 16, 2026. Just a week earlier, the DOJ announced a new internal position tasked with overseeing criminal and civil fraud enforcement, reporting directly to the President.
2025 was...
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