The RICO Act prohibits organizations from running secretive, illegal businesses behind closed doors. This law allows anyone to bring criminal or civil charges against organized groups that commit white-collar crimes. The law is used regularly to combat a wide range of...
The statute of limitations for wire fraud may vary
Wire fraud charges have become increasingly common in South Carolina and across the country, especially as more people rely on the internet or mobile messaging to find investment opportunities or market financial offerings. A wire fraud charge includes allegations of...
Is there a difference among fraud, embezzlement, and theft?
"Taking money without permission" might serve as a general description of various criminal activities. Theft might be the South Carolina crime that comes to people's minds first when discussing "stealing money," but embezzlement involves taking the same illegal...
Understanding inchoate crimes in South Carolina
Inchoate crimes come in three varieties: attempted, solicited and conspired. Inchoate crimes are crimes that were planned but never fully happened for one reason for another. For example, attempted murder is an inchoate crime. Conspiracies by organized groups that are...
What is the Dirks Test?
The Supreme Court established the Dirks Test in 1983 to have a consistent way of determining whether someone is guilty of illegal insider trading. The Dirks Test is also known as the personal benefits test. If you are under investigation for securities fraud in South...
An overview of racketeering
White-collar crimes in South Carolina cover several categories of nonviolent, illegal financial activities committed for the defendant's benefit. These activities have the goal of deception, which often occurs through omission, lying, and misrepresentation....
Pyramid scheme vs. Ponzi scheme
Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes are both white-collar crimes, and although they can appear similar, they have several differences. Individuals in South Carolina may be interested to learn what distinguishes each scheme. What is a pyramid scheme? A pyramid scheme is...
Overview of types of mail fraud
There is a broad array of different white-collar crimes that are charged by the federal government in South Carolina and elsewhere across the United States. Mail fraud is one such federal crime that carries significant consequences and penalties. Definition of mail...
What makes insider trading illegal?
Most people assume that insider trading is illegal, but there is a type that is actually legal. It's important for South Carolina residents to understand the difference between legal and illegal insider trading to avoid problems with the law. Legal insider trading The...
CEO pleads guilty to federal white-collar charges
Federal white-collar crimes have the potential to carry stiff penalties. These crimes include mail fraud and wire fraud as well as conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The recent case of the former CEO and board chairman of SCANA...
