Legal Pad

What Are Federal Drug Charges? Federal drug charges in the United States are governed by various statutes that outline the offenses and corresponding penalties related to drug-related activities. These laws cover a wide range of activities including manufacturing, distributing, possessing, and other drug-related offenses. Title 21 USC § 841 Prohibited acts A outlines severe penalties…

What Is Asset Forfeiture? The Department of Justice (DOJ) consists of a specialized division dedicated to the criminal and civil forfeiture (seizure or taking) of property. This division, known as the as the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) spearheads federal agencies in their various forfeiture programs. Generally, asset forfeiture can be defined as…

What Is the Anti-kickback Statute? The anti-kickback statute makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully solicit, receive, offer, or pay “any remuneration” to induce business that is reimbursed under a federal health care program. The anti-kickback statute prohibits a person from either paying or receiving something of value to induce or reward the referral…

What Is Health Care Fraud? In general, for health care fraud, federal officials will seek charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1347(a). The elements for this section are: (a) Whoever knowingly and willfully executes, or attempts to execute, a scheme or artifice— (1) to defraud any health care benefit program; or (2) to obtain, by means…

Human (Alien) Smuggling: A Brief Overview of Operation Lone Star and Texas State Human Smuggling Law In the past, smuggling of persons charges were the primary responsibility of the Federal government. Today, however, because of a program implemented by Governor Greg Abbott called Operation Lone Star, the State of Texas is at the forefront of…

What Is It? White-Collar Crime is generally considered a crime for financial gain which is committed by means of fraud or misrepresentation. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), “White-collar crime is generally non-violent in nature and includes public corruption, health care fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering, to name a few.”…