White Collar Crime Attorney in Boston

Focused Criminal Defense When Your Reputation Is At Risk

Allegations of fraud, embezzlement, or other financial crimes can threaten far more than a court record. Your career, your professional licenses, and your standing in the community can all be placed under a microscope in a single investigation. When that investigation touches you in Boston, you need clear guidance from a white collar crime attorney that understands how these cases move through the system.

Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. defends individuals facing white collar investigations and charges in Massachusetts. Attorneys James G. DeGiacomo and Sergey Mikhlin are former prosecutors who now focus their practice on criminal defense. They use that background to help clients navigate complex allegations, from the first contact with investigators through court appearances, negotiations, and trial when necessary.

If you have received a target letter or a grand jury subpoena, time is not on your side. Contact a white collar crime attorney in Boston at (617) 941-3666 or reach out online for a free consultation. Our former prosecutors are available 24/7 to protect your career and your freedom.

Understanding White Collar Crime Laws in Massachusetts

"White collar crime" is an umbrella term for non-violent offenses characterized by deceit, concealment, or a violation of trust for financial gain. In Massachusetts, these crimes are prosecuted under a complex web of state and federal statutes.

Common charges our Boston white collar crime lawyer handles include:

• Embezzlement (M.G.L. c. 266, § 30): The fraudulent conversion of property or funds by someone in a position of trust, such as a corporate officer, trustee, or employee.
• Money Laundering (M.G.L. c. 267A): Intentionally engaging in financial transactions designed to conceal the source, ownership, or control of "dirty" money derived from criminal activity.
• Insurance Fraud: Submitting false or misleading information to an insurance provider to obtain a payout or a lower premium.
• Securities Fraud: Deceiving investors or manipulating financial markets, often involving insider trading or Ponzi schemes.
• Uttering and Forgery (M.G.L. c. 267): Falsifying documents of legal significance—such as checks, deeds, or contracts—with the intent to defraud.

A critical distinction in Massachusetts is whether the case stays at the state level (prosecuted by the District Attorney or Attorney General) or is "adopted" by federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Federal white collar cases often carry much harsher mandatory minimums and involve more extensive investigative resources.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of White Collar Convictions in Boston

The penalties for white collar crimes in Massachusetts are designed to be punitive and restorative.

Direct Criminal Penalties

• Incarceration: Many white collar felonies carry up to 5 to 20 years in state or federal prison, depending on the amount of money involved.
• Restitution: Courts almost always order mandatory restitution, requiring you to pay back every cent of the alleged losses, often totaling hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
• Substantial Fines: Fines can reach $250,000 for individuals and significantly more for corporate entities.
• Asset Forfeiture: The government may seize bank accounts, real estate, and personal property they believe were obtained through or used in the commission of the crime.

Collateral Consequences

As a white collar crime attorney in Boston, we know the "hidden" costs can be just as devastating:

• Professional Debarment: You may be permanently barred from the securities, healthcare, or government contracting industries.
• Loss of Licenses: Boards for medicine, law, and accounting often revoke licenses upon a conviction for a "crime of moral turpitude."
• Reputational Suicide: In the digital age, a white collar indictment is permanent. We work to manage the public relations aspect of your case as much as the legal one.

The Massachusetts White Collar Defense Process

White collar cases in Boston often bypass the District Court and are directly indicted into the Superior Court or Federal District Court.

• The Target Letter & Grand Jury: You may receive a "target letter" informing you that you are under investigation. A Grand Jury of 23 citizens will then hear evidence in secret to decide if there is probable cause to indict. This is a one-sided process where only the prosecutor is present, making early legal intervention essential.
• Arraignment: Once indicted, you are formally charged. We fight for your release on personal recognizance to ensure you can continue managing your life while we build your defense.
• Discovery (The "Paper Blizzard"): White collar cases often involve millions of pages of documents. We use advanced forensic software and experts to find the "needle in the haystack" that proves your innocence.
• Pre-Trial Motions: We file motions to dismiss if the government overreached or motions to suppress if the state obtained your emails or financial records without a valid warrant.

Our Comprehensive Approach to White Collar Defense

Our Boston criminal defense attorneys handle white collar cases by carefully reviewing large volumes of documents, including bank records, emails, contracts, and internal reports. They begin by understanding the client’s role and responsibilities, then analyze the government’s allegations and the legal elements that must be proven.

Beyond the courtroom, the firm helps clients protect their reputation, career, and professional relationships. Confidential consultations allow clients to discuss concerns about employers, licensing boards, or business contacts. By considering both legal and professional implications, the team tailors strategies to each client’s circumstances while keeping broader consequences in mind.

At DeGiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C., we take a proactive, forensic approach. Our strategy as your Boston white collar crime lawyer includes:

• Internal Investigations: We conduct our own audit of your company’s records to identify exactly where the errors occurred before the government does.
• Forensic Accounting: We partner with financial experts to deconstruct the prosecution’s math, often proving that no actual loss occurred or that the funds are accounted for.
• Good Faith Defense: We demonstrate that you acted in "good faith" based on the information you had, which is a powerful defense against allegations of fraud.
• Negotiating Civil Resolutions: In many cases, we can persuade the government that the matter is a civil dispute rather than a criminal one, shifting the case toward a settlement rather than a prison sentence.

Why Professionals Turn To Our Attorneys For White Collar Defense

People who contact the firm about white collar accusations are often in positions of trust. They may be executives, accountants, managers, or business owners, and they know that even an allegation can be damaging. They are looking for a defense lawyer who can understand both the legal stakes and the real world impact on their work and family life.

As former prosecutors in Massachusetts criminal courts, attorney DeGiacomo and attorney Mikhlin have stood on the other side of the courtroom. They have seen how investigators build cases, how charging decisions are made, and what facts tend to influence whether a case moves forward or is reduced.

Because Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. focuses its work on criminal defense, the firm is familiar with the procedures, filing requirements, and daily practice in courts here. This includes arraignments, pretrial conferences, discovery disputes, and motion hearings that commonly arise in cases involving financial records and alleged dishonesty. 

Clients benefit from having attorneys who are accustomed to challenging evidence and examining how the government reached its conclusions. Our attorneys understand that concern and work to handle communications, court appearances, and case strategy with a focus on limiting unnecessary exposure whenever the circumstances allow.

What To Do If You Are Under Investigation Or Charged

Finding out that you are a focus of an investigation or that charges have been filed can create a sense of panic. You might feel pressure to explain yourself to investigators, supervisors, or colleagues. The steps you take in the first days and weeks can shape the rest of the case, which is why careful action is important.

Consider the following guidance if you believe you are under scrutiny for a financial or business-related offense:

• Avoid speaking with investigators on your own. If law enforcement or agency personnel contact you, it is usually better to speak with an attorney before answering questions. Statements that seem harmless at first may later be used in ways that are hard to predict.
• Do not destroy or alter documents. Deleting emails, changing records, or discarding files can raise additional concerns and may itself lead to separate allegations. Preserving information gives your attorney a more accurate picture of what occurred.
• Limit conversations about the situation. It is natural to want to talk with coworkers or friends, but those conversations are generally not protected by confidentiality rules. What you say to others could become part of a witness statement later.
• Gather and organize notices you receive. Subpoenas, letters, and emails from agencies or employers can provide important clues about the scope of the issue. Sharing these with your lawyer helps them understand what you are facing.
• Contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. Reaching out early allows your attorney to advise you about communications, help you prepare for potential interviews or hearings, and begin reviewing the facts. Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. is available 24 hours a day for urgent situations because contact from investigators does not always arrive at convenient times.

Each case is different, and these general steps cannot replace specific legal advice. They can, however, help you avoid some of the most common missteps that make matters more complicated. When you work with a white collar crime attorney in Boston, you receive guidance that reflects the details of your own situation and the procedures of the courts that may hear your case.

Talk With A White Collar Crime Lawyer in Boston

At Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C., attorneys James G. DeGiacomo and Sergey Mikhlin draw on their background as former prosecutors and their focus on criminal defense to guide clients through white collar allegations here in the Boston area. They are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential consultations and to discuss the steps that may be appropriate in your situation. When you are ready to talk about what comes next, you can reach the firm directly.

To speak confidentially with an attorney, call (617) 941-3666 or reach out online now.