New York White Collar Crime Defense — Before the Indictment, Not After
When federal agents or state investigators come knocking, the window to shape the outcome of your case is already closing. I defend individuals facing white collar criminal charges across New York — from the moment you learn you're under investigation through trial and, if necessary, appeal.
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What White Collar Investigations Actually Look Like — and Why Early Counsel Changes Everything
Most people under federal or state investigation don't know they're targets until they've already made critical mistakes: talking to investigators, turning over documents without counsel, or assuming cooperation will make things easier. It rarely does.
White collar cases are built over months or years before a single charge is filed. Prosecutors develop their theory, gather financial records, and interview witnesses long before you're formally accused. By the time you're indicted, the government has a significant head start. Retaining an NYC white collar crime lawyer at the investigation stage — not after charges are filed — is one of the most consequential decisions you can make.
If your charge involves a related violent crime, I also handle robbery, burglary, and assault cases across New York.
White Collar Charges I Defend in New York
I handle the full spectrum of white collar criminal matters in state and federal court, including:
Fraud defense — wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, insurance fraud, and healthcare fraud
Embezzlement and theft of services
Grand larceny — New York's broad theft statute, applied to property, services, and financial instruments
Identity theft and criminal impersonation
Securities fraud and investment fraud
Money laundering
Bribery and public corruption
Tax fraud and tax evasion
Forgery and falsifying business records
Computer fraud and cybercrime
Many of these charges carry federal exposure. If your case involves the SDNY or EDNY, I appear regularly in both courts and know how federal prosecutors in New York build and try these cases.
Federal and State Court — Two Very Different Arenas
White collar matters in New York frequently cross jurisdictions. A fraud allegation that begins as a state investigation can be adopted by federal prosecutors — or run in parallel. The Southern District of New York and Eastern District of New York are among the most active federal prosecution offices in the country, and they bring substantial resources to white collar cases.
I am admitted in the SDNY, EDNY, and all federal courts, and I have spent decades building working knowledge of how federal prosecutors in New York approach fraud, embezzlement, and securities fraud cases. That institutional familiarity matters when your attorney is negotiating with an AUSA or preparing a defense theory for a federal jury.
Grand Jury Subpoenas and Target Letters
If you've received a grand jury subpoena or a target letter from a U.S. Attorney's office, you are already in the crosshairs of a federal investigation. These documents are not routine paperwork — they are signals that prosecutors are actively building a case, and your response to them will affect everything that follows.
You have the right to counsel before you appear before a grand jury. Exercising that right is not a sign of guilt — it is the single most important thing you can do at this stage.
I represent clients called before grand juries in both state and federal proceedings. If you've received a subpoena or a target letter, call me before you respond to it.
Why Clients Facing White Collar Charges Choose Me
White collar defense requires a different skill set than general criminal practice — and a different kind of attorney. Financial crimes involve complex documentary evidence, forensic accounting, regulatory frameworks, and federal procedural rules that most criminal defense attorneys rarely encounter.
I have spent more than 30 years practicing criminal defense exclusively. No personal injury. No immigration. No family law. Every case I take is a criminal matter, and white collar defense has been a consistent part of that practice.
30+ years of criminal defense experience — exclusively
Trial attorney with documented acquittals on serious charges
Admitted in SDNY, EDNY, and all federal courts
Direct working relationships with federal prosecutors, clerks, and judges in New York
Adjunct professor at NYU and St. John's University; published in the New York Law Journal
You speak directly with me — not a paralegal, not a junior associate
Spanish-language support available through Maria
Payment plans available through LawPay
Frequently Asked Questions About White Collar Defense in New York
What should I do if I find out I'm under investigation for fraud in New York?
Stop communicating with investigators and retain criminal defense counsel immediately. Do not assume that explaining your side of the story will help — anything you say can be used to build the government's case against you. An attorney can engage with investigators on your behalf and help you understand what the government actually has before you make any decisions.
What is the difference between state and federal white collar charges?
State charges are prosecuted under New York Penal Law by the District Attorney's office. Federal charges are brought by the U.S. Attorney's office and prosecuted under federal statutes, which often carry harsher sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums. Many white collar offenses can be charged in either forum — or both simultaneously. The forum matters significantly for strategy, potential exposure, and how the case is tried.
Can white collar charges be reduced or dismissed before trial?
Yes — and the earlier I get involved, the more options exist. Pre-indictment negotiations, cooperation agreements, deferred prosecution, and civil resolution are all possibilities depending on the facts of the case, the strength of the government's evidence, and the forum. These options narrow or disappear once an indictment is filed and a trial date is set.
What does grand larceny mean under New York law?
Grand larceny is New York's felony-level theft charge, applied when the value of stolen property or services exceeds $1,000. It is charged in degrees based on the amount involved — from a Class E felony at the lower end to a Class B felony for amounts exceeding $1 million. Grand larceny charges frequently accompany fraud and embezzlement allegations in white collar cases.
Do you offer payment plans for white collar defense representation?
Yes. I offer payment plans through LawPay. White collar cases can involve extended litigation timelines, and I want financial concerns to be a manageable part of the conversation — not a barrier to getting the representation you need.
You Need a White Collar Defense Attorney Before This Gets Worse
The longer a white collar investigation runs without defense counsel involved, the more leverage prosecutors accumulate. I work with clients at every stage — from the first sign of investigation through trial and appeal — and I have the experience and the courtroom record to give you a real defense.
Call my office directly. I answer personally.