Money laundering involves illegally obtaining money, passing it through a series of banking transfers or transactions, and then returning it to the launderer indirectly. Commonly associated with illegal actions, such as drug, gambling, or other illicit incidents, money laundering claims are serious charges you should not face alone.
If someone is accusing you, contact an Oklahoma City money laundering defense attorney for immediate help. Avoid making any statements until you speak to an Oklahoma City white collar crimes lawyer at Josh Lee & Associates.
Money Laundering Charges in Oklahoma City
Money laundering, as defined under the federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 1956, involves transactions involving the proceeds from other crimes, called specified unlawful activities. These accusations mean the prosecutor believes you committed or attempted to commit an act with the intent to promote further predicate offenses such as fraud, with or without the intent to evade taxation.
To convict, the prosecutor must show that you knew or should have known the actions were meant to evade, launder, or otherwise avoid anti-laundering reporting requirements. It typically involves three stages, as noted by the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network:
- Placement. The accused introduces illegal cash into the financial system, for example by depositing a large amount of money.
- Layering. Then the funds are moved, split, or otherwise converted, often through a series of complex financial transactions. This aims to obscure the original source of the cash. This makes it challenging for auditors to track the funds.
- Integration. The final stage typically involves bringing the money back into the mainstream economy, as if it is legal tender. The funds become available to the accused for the purchase of goods, real estate, or other investments.
A variety of money laundering techniques exist, including structuring, cash-heavy front businesses, and shell companies. If you are accused of this action at any level or questioned about it, we strongly urge you to speak with our Oklahoma City money laundering defense attorney immediately.
Potential Defense Strategies for Money Laundering in Oklahoma City
Our Oklahoma City money laundering defense lawyer works with you to better understand what is occurring, investigates the claims, and then develops an applicable defense strategy for your needs. The following are some of the most effective defense strategies applicable in these cases:
- Lack of illicit origin: The prosecution must prove the money came from a specific underlying crime. We may work to show the funds did not come from any illicit manner but from lawful income, a legal business, legitimate loans, or inheritance.
- Absence of criminal intent: We may seek to demonstrate that the accused did not knowingly engage in a financial transaction using dirty money to hide or promote illegal activity. This proves you did not know the illicit source of the funds, demonstrating your innocence in these actions.
- No concealment or intent to hide: We may work to demonstrate that there is no evidence that a transaction was structured to hide ownership, the source of the funds, or how the funds are managed.
Let us review your legal options now. Request a consultation with a team ready to fight for you.
Speak to an Oklahoma City Money Laundering Defense Lawyer
Josh Lee & Associates brings years of experience defending clients against state charges and complex federal crimes. Contact our Oklahoma City money laundering defense attorney now for a consultation.
