Ohio Criminal Defense For Money Laundering
Money laundering is a white collar crime that is often charged alongside other serious crimes. If you have been charged with money laundering or other white collar crimes, my name is Steve Palmer and I am a criminal defense attorney in Columbus who has more than 25 years of experience. I founded Palmer Legal Defense to defend those accused of crimes throughout central Ohio. I don’t want one mistake, being in the wrong place at the wrong time or criminal accusations to destroy the rest of your life. I provide my clients with calm direction, advice and legal guidance during a stressful time.
Money Laundering Laws In Ohio
In the state of Ohio, money laundering occurs when money is obtained through illegal means or criminal activity and attempts are made to transfer and move that money around to make it look like it was earned legally. As a result, it becomes difficult to trace the original source of the money or funds.
Common Examples Of Laundering Money
Money can be laundered through other businesses, through the banking system. Sophisticated money laundering schemes can include digital technology and cyberspace or overseas transactions.
Money laundering schemes usually include three phases:
- Placement is when illegal money enters the financial system legitimately
- Layering is when the funds are moved to create distance from their original source
- Integration is when the funds reenter the economy in a way that appears to be legitimate
Money laundering is common with white collar criminal activity. For example, if someone has embezzled money, they will move the money around so that it looks like it was earned legitimately. Money laundering is also common in connection with drug crimes. For example, a dealer who receives money for drugs uses that cash to purchase gift cards. Those gift cards can be used to purchase merchandise items that the dealer then sells to others for money. Now, the money looks like it was earned legitimately.
Penalties In Ohio For A Conviction
Money laundering is usually charged as a felony in the third degree in the state of Ohio. A conviction for money laundering could result in a fine of $7,500 or twice the amount of the money that was laundered, whichever is more and also include jail time of nine to 36 months in prison. Money laundering can also be charged as a federal crime.
I have decades of experience defending clients against complicated financial charges throughout the country. I can help you fight any money laundering charges that you are facing. Even if you haven’t been formally charged but believe that you may be under investigation for a white collar crime, it is important to retain legal counsel as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Contact A White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you have been accused of money laundering or other crimes, I don’t want one bad mistake to ruin the rest of your life. Contact me to learn more about how I can help defend you against the charges you are facing. You can schedule an appointment with me by calling my office at 614-224-6142 or reaching out to me through my contact form.