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On May 7, the Colonial Pipeline’s computer systems were breached in a highly publicized ransomware attack. It had to shut down the pipeline until it paid approximately 75 bitcoins to an organization called DarkSide. The bitcoins were worth $4.4 million. By June 7, the Justice Department announced it had seized 63.7 bitcoins from DarkSide….

It’s not easy selling the green. Marijuana is legal, at least for medical use, in most U.S. states (it’s not yet allowed here in North Carolina), but it’s still illegal federally. That has gummed up the banking system for cannabis companies. Banks are afraid of being linked to illegal drug transactions or accused of…

When it comes to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, there is always the possibility that they could be used for illicit transactions and money laundering. Yet freedom from government intrusion is intrinsic to cryptocurrencies. Those who use these currencies don’t want the government to over-regulate them, even if that means some criminal behavior takes place….

After a years-long legal battle, former president Donald Trump finally surrendered his tax and financial records to a New York state criminal probe. The Supreme Court rejected his Hail-Mary pass to invalidate a grand jury subpoena requesting the records. A few days later, the Trump Organization handed the records over to Manhattan District Attorney…

The coronavirus pandemic has hit small businesses hard, and many are desperate for funds to keep their doors open. An alphabet soup of financial aid – PPP (Paycheck Protection Program), EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loans) and MSLP (Main Street Lending Program), to name a few – is available through the federal government. During its…

It turns out life is like the movies – at least a little bit. But movies focus on the drama and action and skip the consequences and court cases. Carlos Ghosn is in the news this week. Before now, you likely only knew his name if you follow corporate executives. Even before his current…

According to the North Carolina Department of Revenue, a 56-year-old woman stands accused of embezzling approximately $30,000 in withholding tax money for the state. The woman was arrested last month on six charges of embezzling state property. She is the owner of a business located on Jonestown Road in Raleigh, Future Young Scholars Child Development…

In the North Carolina General Statutes, the crime of embezzlement is referenced in Chapter 14, Article 18. In general, embezzlement refers to the theft or larceny of money, property or other assets by an individual in a position of responsibility or trust over said resources and usually takes place in corporate and other employment…

People who have led honest, productive lives can get caught up in white collar crimes. Sometimes, the potential for seemingly-easy money is hard to resist. Financial stresses can also lead people to make bad decisions. Some convince themselves that no one is really hurt by their actions. Here in Charlotte, North Carolina, many people…

Do you know the types of crimes that are considered “white-collar” violations? In most situations, white collar crimes involve financial misdeeds that are often attributed to those with larger personal resources. However, this category of crime comprises a wide variety of violations for North Carolina defendants. Today, we learn more about the most common types of…