Texas medical providers are finding themselves at the center of ZPIC audits more and more often. Federally charged with preventing medicare fraud and overpayments, these audits serve an important function but can be unnerving to those subjected to one. Responding...
federal offenses
What to expect during an ATF audit
When you hold a federal firearms license and operate a Texas gun business, the chance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms auditing your business at some point is high. Under the terms of the Gun Control Act, the ATF may conduct an inspection of your...
Facing fraud charges: critical elements needed for a conviction
Do you handle one or more financial aspects of an organization for your Texas employer? If so, you may become the focus of an embezzlement investigation if an audit indicates fraud. According to the American Bar Association, forensic accountants solve compliance...
Is it illegal to throw away someone else’s mail?
Because Austin has a hot housing market, it is not uncommon for individuals to move frequently. When you relocate to a new apartment or home, you may receive mail someone sent to previous tenants. While it may be tempting to shred or throw away this mail, doing so may...
What the Texas opioid settlement means for physicians
Every year, thousands of Texans die from opioid drug overdoses. In 2018, the exact number was 67,367. This number has social and economic impacts on individuals and families, but it also has implications for the surrounding professional medical community. In recent...
3 things to know about racketeering
Racketeering is a scary-sounding charge. Many people do not even know what it means, which makes it even more intimidating. Racketeering is a charge with broad applications. Penalties for conviction include fines amounting to thousands of dollars and possible prison...
How can you spot a money mule scam?
Under federal law, money laundering is a serious crime. Unfortunately, laundering can involve unknowing participants. According to the FBI, a money mule is a person who transfers illegal money on another person's behalf. While it may be easy to say that you would...
What should you know about mail fraud?
White collar crime stands apart from blue collar crime in many ways, including the reason for a crime to end up considered a federal offense. For example, tampering with mail in any way counts as a federal crime due to the involvement of a government entity: the...
Pleading guilty to a lesser number of fraud charges as a defense
Countering an allegation of fraud charges relating to federal disaster relief funds may require a strong legal defense. In cases involving U.S. government financial assistance, officials may file charges that could include bank fraud, money laundering and wire fraud....
What to expect as the subject of an IRS audit
Most Texas taxpayers never wind up having the Internal Revenue Service audit them after filing their taxes. However, a small percentage of people do have to go through one of three types of tax audits. Finding out the IRS plans to audit you may give you cause for...