Federal charges
White collar criminal defense in federal court
“White collar crime” is a common name, not a legal term, for federal crimes built on deception or money rather than force: wire and mail fraud, health care fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, bribery and similar charges. Criminal Center defends people who are under federal investigation or charged with these crimes, nationwide and in federal court only.
Criminal Center is a boutique federal criminal defense firm. We take on a limited number of cases at a time, so each one gets close, personal attention.
What counts as white collar crime in federal court?
No federal statute defines “white collar crime.” Prosecutors charge specific statutes, each with its own elements and penalties. The most common are the fraud statutes: mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341) and wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), which make it a crime to use the mail or interstate wires to carry out a scheme to get money or property by false or fraudulent pretenses. Many white collar cases add conspiracy, money laundering or identity theft counts to a fraud charge.
Which federal charges are white collar crimes?
Each guide explains one kind of charge: what the law makes illegal, the penalties, how the Sentencing Guidelines apply, how these cases move, and common defense issues.
- Wire fraud and mail fraudUsing email, phone, the internet, the mail or a delivery company as part of a plan to cheat someone out of money or property. Up to 20 years per count.
- Health care fraud and kickbacksBilling fraud against Medicare, Medicaid or private insurers, and paying or taking kickbacks for referrals. Up to 10 years, with exclusion from federal health programs.
- Identity theft and aggravated identity theftUsing another person's name, Social Security number or other identifying information without permission. Aggravated identity theft adds a mandatory 2 years.
- Money launderingMoving, hiding or spending money that came from certain crimes. Up to 20 years under § 1956 and 10 years under § 1957, plus forfeiture.
- Bank fraud and mortgage fraudLying to get money from a bank or mortgage lender, or lying on a loan application. Up to 30 years and a $1,000,000 fine per count.
- Embezzlement and theftTaking money or property you were trusted with, or that belongs to the government, a bank, a benefit plan or a federally funded program. Up to 5, 10 or 30 years.
- Bribery and public corruptionBribes and gratuities to federal officials, bribery tied to federally funded state, local and tribal agencies, honest-services fraud and Hobbs Act extortion. Maximums range from 2 to 20 years.
- Securities fraudLying or cheating in connection with buying, selling or offering stocks, bonds and other securities, including insider trading. Up to 20 years under the Exchange Act and 25 years under 18 U.S.C. § 1348.
- PPP and EIDL loan fraudLying to get a Paycheck Protection Program loan, a COVID-19 disaster loan or loan forgiveness. Usually charged as bank fraud, wire fraud or false statements, with up to 30 years per count and a 10-year time limit.
- Tax fraud and tax evasionWillfully evading tax, filing a false return, helping prepare false returns, willfully failing to file, and corruptly obstructing the IRS. Up to 5 years for evasion and 3 years for a false return, per count.
- Computer fraud and hackingGetting into a computer without permission, or into areas that are off-limits, to take data, commit fraud, cause damage or make threats. Usually up to 5 or 10 years.
- False statements and perjuryLying under oath, lying to a federal agent or agency, and falsifying or destroying records to block an investigation. Up to 5 years for perjury and false statements; up to 20 for falsifying records.
For every federal charge we explain, see all federal charges.
How do white collar cases usually start?
Most white collar cases start long before anyone is arrested. A federal agency, such as the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation or an inspector general’s office, often investigates for months, reviewing bank records, emails and business documents. The first sign for many people is one of these:
- A visit from agents asking to talk, sometimes at home or at work.
- A grand jury subpoena for documents or testimony. A grand jury is a group of citizens that hears evidence in private and decides whether to bring charges (Fed. R. Crim. P. 6; Fed. R. Crim. P. 17).
- A target letter. Justice Department policy defines a “target” as a person the prosecutor or grand jury has substantial evidence linking to a crime and who, in the prosecutor’s judgment, is a putative defendant. Prosecutors are encouraged, in appropriate cases, to notify a target before seeking an indictment, but they are not required to (Justice Manual 9-11.151, 9-11.153).
- A search warrant executed at a home or business.
What a person says to agents, and how a business responds to a subpoena, can shape the whole case. Our guide to federal investigations explains each of these signs. For first steps, see federal criminal defense.
How has the Supreme Court limited fraud prosecutions?
Several recent decisions set limits on how far federal fraud and corruption statutes reach. They don’t all point the same way.
- Ciminelli v. United States, 598 U.S. 306 (2023): the federal fraud statutes protect traditional property interests. The right to valuable economic information needed to make discretionary economic decisions is not one, so the “right-to-control” theory cannot support a wire fraud conviction. See wire fraud and mail fraud.
- Dubin v. United States, 599 U.S. 110 (2023): aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. § 1028A) applies only when the use of another person’s identifying information is at the crux of what makes the conduct criminal, not when it is merely incidental, such as a patient’s name on a bill that overstates a service. See identity theft.
- Snyder v. United States, 603 U.S. 1 (2024): 18 U.S.C. § 666 makes bribes to state and local officials a crime, meaning payments made or agreed to before an official act to influence it. It does not make gratuities for past acts a crime. See bribery and public corruption.
- Kousisis v. United States, 605 U.S. 114 (2025): this one went the other way. A person who induces a deal through material misrepresentations can be convicted of wire fraud even without intending to cause the victim economic loss. The government must still prove that money or property was an object of the fraud and that the misrepresentation was material.
How are white collar crimes sentenced?
Most federal fraud, theft and embezzlement offenses are sentenced under USSG §2B1.1, where the dollar amount of the loss is usually the biggest driver of the guideline range. The number of victims, sophisticated means and other specific offense characteristics can add more. The guidelines are advisory, and the judge decides the sentence after weighing the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). For how the guidelines work, see our sister site Sentencing.net.
Where does Criminal Center fit?
We handle federal cases only, from the first contact by agents through trial, sentencing and appeal. Criminal Center is a boutique federal criminal defense firm. We take on a limited number of cases at a time, so each one gets close, personal attention.
For further reading, Brandon Sample’s site has an overview of federal white collar crime. Sentencing and appeals are covered in depth on Sentencing.net.
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Common questions about white collar crime
What is white collar crime?
White collar crime is a common name, not a legal category. It usually means a non-violent crime built on deception or money, such as fraud, embezzlement, money laundering or bribery. No federal statute defines the term. Each charge has its own statute and elements, such as mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 or wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343.
Is wire fraud a white collar crime?
Yes. Wire fraud is one of the most common white collar charges. It makes it a crime to use interstate wire, radio or television communications, such as phone calls, emails or online transfers, to carry out a scheme to get money or property by false or fraudulent pretenses. The maximum is 20 years in prison, or 30 years if it affects a financial institution or involves benefits tied to a presidentially declared disaster or emergency (18 U.S.C. § 1343).
Is mail fraud a white collar crime?
Yes. Mail fraud is a common white collar charge, often charged alongside wire fraud. It covers using the U.S. mail or a private or commercial interstate carrier to carry out a scheme to get money or property by false or fraudulent pretenses. The penalties match wire fraud: up to 20 years, or 30 years if it affects a financial institution or involves benefits tied to a presidentially declared disaster or emergency (18 U.S.C. § 1341).
What does a white collar criminal defense lawyer do?
During an investigation, the lawyer deals with agents and prosecutors, responds to grand jury subpoenas for documents or testimony, and advises on whether and how to talk to the government. After charges, the lawyer reviews the discovery, which in fraud cases is often large volumes of financial records and emails, files pretrial motions, negotiates with prosecutors, tries the case if it goes to trial, and works on the loss amount and other sentencing issues under the Sentencing Guidelines (USSG §2B1.1).
Sources
- 18 U.S.C. § 1341 (mail fraud)
- 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (wire fraud)
- Fed. R. Crim. P. 6 (the grand jury)
- Fed. R. Crim. P. 17 (subpoenas)
- Justice Manual 9-11.000 (grand jury; 9-11.151, 9-11.153 on targets)
- Ciminelli v. United States, 598 U.S. 306 (2023)
- Dubin v. United States, 599 U.S. 110 (2023)
- Snyder v. United States, 603 U.S. 1 (2024)
- Kousisis v. United States, 605 U.S. 114 (2025)
- USSG §2B1.1 (2025 manual)
Rules checked against these sources on October 19, 2026. This page is general information about federal law, not legal advice for any case.
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