Although New Jersey is comprised of only one federal district, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has federal courthouses in Newark, Trenton and Camden. New Jersey is among the busiest federal courts in the country. A sample of criminal cases involving financial fraud and healthcare fraud before the U.S. District Court in the Newark Vicinage in the first half of 2023 provides a snapshot of the Court’s current cases.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) define financial fraud as any scheme or artifice to defraud, or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises. Financial fraud can take many forms, including:
- Credit card fraud: This is the use of a credit card without the owner’s permission.
- Identity theft: This is the use of someone else’s personal information, such as their Social Security number or driver’s license number, to commit fraud.
- Investment fraud: This is the use of false or misleading information to sell or trade investments.
- Healthcare fraud: This is the intentional deception or misrepresentation that is committed in order to obtain money or property from a healthcare benefit program.
- Mortgage fraud: This is the intentional deception or misrepresentation that is committed in order to obtain a mortgage loan.
The DOJ and the FBI aggressively investigate and prosecute financial fraud. Here are some of the specific statutes that the DOJ and the FBI use to combat financial fraud:
- The False Claims Act: This law allows the government to recover money that has been lost due to fraud.
- The Mail Fraud Statute: This law makes it a crime to use the mail to defraud someone.
- The Wire Fraud Statute: This law makes it a crime to use electronic communications to defraud someone.
- The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934: This law prohibits fraud in the sale of securities.
- Health Care Fraud, Title 18 USC 1347: This law prohibits fraud of a health care benefit program.
Examples of recent cases handled by the Federal Court in Newark NJ include:
- Conspiracy to Steal Cryptocurrency, 23-May-23
- Leader of International Money Laundering Organization, 4-May-23
- Bank Fraud, Identity Theft Scheme, 4-May-23
- Money Laundering, 2-May-23
- Car Theft and Fraudulent Resale Scheme, 2-May-23
- Credit Cards Stolen from U.S. Mail to Defraud Banks and Commit Identity Theft, 28-Apr-23
- Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud in Connection with Romance Scam, 14-Apr-23
- International Scheme to Defraud Elderly Victims, 6-Apr-23
- $1.5 Million Fraud Scheme that Targeted over 100 Non-Profit Victims, Including Schools and Religious Institutions, 6-Apr-23
- Essex County Postal Employee Admits Mail Theft, 3-Apr-23
- Nigerian National Indicted for Wire and Copyright Fraud Scheme, 22-Mar-23
- Scheme to Steal Mail, Commit Credit Card Fraud, and Defraud United States, 16-Mar-23
- Health Care Fraud And Kickback Schemes, 26-Jan-23
- $24 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme, 2-May-23
- False Claims Act Allegations, 28-Apr-23
- Health Care Fraud Targeting Amtrak, 26-Apr-23
- Health Care Fraud Scheme, 14-Apr-23
- $89 Million Health Care Fraud Kickback Scheme Involving Cancer Genetic Screening Tests, 28-Mar-23
- $10 Million Scheme to Commit Health Care Fraud, 24-Mar-23
- $101 Million Health Care Kickback Scheme, 23-Mar-23
If you are convicted of financial fraud, you could face significant penalties, including imprisonment, forfeiture and restitution. The specific penalties that you face will depend on the specific crime that you committed and the amount of money involved in the fraudulent scheme.
If you are facing charges for financial fraud, it is important to speak with an experienced white-collar crime attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand the charges against you and develop a defense strategy.
Stahl Gasiorowski Criminal Defense Attorneys have represented scores of clients facing serious financial federal charges. We actively and aggressively protect clients’ rights. To contact Mr. Stahl, call 908.301.9001 for the NJ office and 212.755.3300 for the NYC office, or email Mr. Stahl at rgs@sgdefenselaw.com.
