Money laundering is a process where funds that are generated by illegal activities are concealed, disguised, or otherwise made to appear legitimate in order to evade detection, prosecution, seizure and taxation by the government. Money laundering is often times ancillary to other crimes such as medicare/healthcare fraud, mortgage fraud, drug trafficking or terrorist activity. At the Law Offices of Robert David Malove, we provide the straight talk clients need in order to have confidence in our legal representation.

Since 9-11, money laundering prosecutions by the FBI and Attorney General's office have increased because of money laundering’s links to financing terrorism. In order to discover illegal activities, the federal and Florida governments have enacted anti-money laundering laws to track and detect large sums of cash entering legitimate business channels. If you or someone you know has been charged with money laundering, you need legal serious legal representation from a criminal trial law specialist with 25 years of courtroom experience who is familiar with the state and federal money laundering laws. What you need is attorney Robert Malove on your side.

Concealing the source of funds placed in a bank account or invested in a business, failing to report large cash transactions, or failing to provide due diligence in determining the source of large amounts of money are all acts that could get someone charged with money laundering. The government is at the ready to take legal action to have courts order organizations forfeit money that can be traced directly to criminal activity, as well as forfeit monies that were "commingled" with the tainted money. Even if the government can trace only a small amount of money to illegal activity, the government can move to seize the entire amount on deposit in a bank account or other assets connected to money laundering.

For violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1), the government must prove:

1. The defendant knowingly conducted or attempted to conduct a financial transaction;
2. The financial transaction involved proceeds of a specified unlawful act or activity;
3. The defendant knew that the property involved in the financial transaction represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity; and
4. The defendant intended to promote the carrying on of the specified unlawful act or activity. For violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1957, the government must prove:
5. The defendant engaged or attempted to engage in a monetary transaction;
6. The defendant knew the transaction involved criminally derived property;
7. The property had a value greater that $10,000;
8. The property was derived from some specified unlawful act or activity; and
9. The transaction occurred in the United States.

Possible Penalties:

A person may be found guilty of a felony, serve prison time up to 20 years, and be fined up to $500,000, or twice what the value of the property involved, or whichever is greater. (18 U.S.C. § 1956).

A person may be found guilty of a felony, serve prison time up to 10 years, and be fined up to $250,000, or twice the amount of the property involved, or whichever is greater. (18 U.S.C. § 1957).

Because of the complex nature of money laundering cases, individuals charged with money laundering and related charges require the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney with knowledge in this area of the law. Attorney Robert Malove knows what the government needs to make a money laundering charge stick and is prepared to review and analyze financial and business records to determine legal exposure and advise on the best course of legal action to take.

For immediate attention regarding money laundering and related accusations, in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and elsewhere throughout the United States, call attorney Robert Malove. 954-745-5840.