When you first hear the word "embezzlement," it calls to mind Golden Age capitalism, stealing from one's own mind-bogglingly successful enterprises. You could easily assume that you could never be accused of embezzlement because you could never be so filthy rich or be so close to such filthy wealth, except in your imagination during a game of Monopoly. Embezzlement does not always involve living large, paying millions in cash, and flashing a smile that will make the real estate agents swear with their last breath that the transaction had nothing to do with money laundering, even if doing so could get them charged with perjury.
Most cases of embezzlement are not nearly so glamorous; they involve debt-ridden defendants who have a clear motive to misappropriate relatively modest sums of money from thankless jobs. If you are being accused of stealing money from your employer, where your taxpayer-funded salary barely pays the bills, contact a Texas white-collar crime lawyer.
Theft From Entities That Receive Federal Funds
In May 2024, an employee of a school district in East Texas pleaded guilty to embezzling $300,000 from his employer over six years, from 2017 until 2023. The defendant worked as a business manager for the school district. He used the money to pay for trips to Disney World and buy merchandise from the Disney Store.
In 2024, the defendant was charged with theft from a program that receives more than $10,000 in federal funding per year. Since federal funds were at stake, the case went through federal court. The defendant pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities, but he may still face a prison sentence. The court ordered him to pay restitution, which is when a person convicted of a financial crime must return the stolen money. To satisfy this obligation, the defendant sold his house; the proceeds of the sale enabled him to pay about two-thirds of the restitution amount.
An Acquittal Is Even Better Than a Mild Punishment
This defendant's willingness to speak to police about his activities and to begin making restitution payments promptly may result in him getting little or no prison time, but it is not the best-case scenario. You should not be convicted of stealing from your employer, the federal government, or anyone else unless there is no doubt that you made the transactions and that your actions count as stealing. If you are being accused of a financial crime, you should exercise your right to remain silent, and you should meet privately with a criminal defense lawyer to discuss defense strategies, as the law gives you the right to do. Your lawyer can guide you through the process of communicating with law enforcement about your financial activities.
Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC About Criminal Defense Cases
A Dallas criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are being accused of embezzling money from your employer or a publicly funded program. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, in Dallas, Texas, to discuss your case.