James Roberts, of Cedar Hills Utah, started a company in 2005 as a get rich quick scheme. Roberts and two others ran a scheme to identify residential properties, recruit straw buyers, and, through false statements on loan applications, falsely inflate the apparent value of the properties to induce lenders to grant loans in excess of the fair market value of the property. After buying the properties, Roberts failed to make the payments, and one by one they went into foreclosure, resulting in losses to the lenders. Roberts plead guilty to mail fraud and money laundering, and was sentenced last weekend to 37 months in prison.

Utah White Collar Crimes

In Utah there are a number of crimes that are considered White Collar crimes. White collar crimes are distinguished as crimes committed by a person of respectability or of a high social status. These types of crimes are often committed in the course of the persons occupation. White collar crimes almost always involve the motive of “getting rich quick” and include crimes such as bribery, embezzlement, larceny, and a number of different types of fraud charges. These are non-violent crimes that are nonetheless prosecuted heavily and involve serious penalties.

Utah County Criminal Defense Attorney

Unfortunately the entrepreneurial spirit that America tries to cultivate can sometimes turn into criminal activity. If you find yourself on the illegal side of sound business practices then call Provo Criminal Defense for help protecting your rights. Our attorneys are skilled professionals that can help you understand the legal process and the options you have within it. Call or email us today, we offer free consultations and can answer your questions and help you decide what decisions to make, with no cost to you. Your rights and freedoms are too important not to defend, so call us now.

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Provo Municipal Councilman Steve Turley was charged yesterday with communications fraud, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and  pattern of unlawful activity. In all the charges amounted to 10 separate 2nd degree felonies. These charges stem from accusations that Turley has been taking money and property from several people in order to illegally obtain more property. Although there are 10 felonies that Turley is facing, seven of them are for communications fraud.

Communications Fraud in Utah

In Utah the crime of communications fraud is a very broad and a somewhat vague statute that is basically a variation of theft. The statute defines communications fraud as devising any scheme to defraud another or to obtain from another money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. The severity of the offense ranges from a class B misdemeanor to a second degree felony depending on the value of the stolen items. The harshest part of the statute, however, is that prosecutors can charge a separate count of communications fraud for each communication, whether it be separate communications with the same person or with different people. This is why Turley is facing so many felony charges. Although the facts of the prosecutions case against Turley are not known the fact that he has been charged with second degree felonies means that the property he allegedly obtained was either sensitive personal identifying information or was valued at greater than $5,000.

Utah County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you know is facing charges of communications fraud it is important to hire an attorney right away. In most cases communications fraud charges stem from legitimate business practices that have gone bad. The attorney’s at Provo Criminal Defense will thoroughly investigate each charge of communications fraud against you and make sure that you are not convicted for crimes that you did not commit. Call us today to set up a free consultation.

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A Utah business man accused of participating in the largest case of fraud ever in the state of Utah was found guilty of 9 criminal charges stemming from a ponzi scheme involving phony real estate transactions throughout the state of Utah. The man took $180 million dollars from investors and was paying former investors with the new money coming in not actually making investments at all. The judge sentenced the man to 1 to 15 years in jail and other time for the felony charges. The judge suspended most the of the jail time. Ultimately, the man will receive 1 year in jail and 10 years of probation.

Ponzi Schemes in Utah

Yes, it is true what you have heard. Utah is one of  the leading fraud states in the nation. Every year, many Utahans are charged with crimes such as securities fraud, check fraud, insurance fraud, theft of services, and even ponzi schemes. Many of us know a friend or neighbor who was charged by the state of Utah for questionable financial and investment practices.

We understand that some people can get mixed up in fraudulent transactions without even realizing what they are doing, and without even knowing that what they are doing is criminal. Often, people rely on bad advice from their friends or in some case even attorneys, when engaging in certain businesses. If this sounds like you, or if you have been charged with any type of fraud crime in Utah, we want to help. We want to defend you and ensure you are not taken advantage of in a system that is already significantly stacked against you.

Utah County Criminal Defense Lawyers

At our law firm, we have a team of Utah County criminal defense lawyers who represent individuals in all types of fraud cases. From ponzi schemes to check or insurance fraud, we know the system and know what it takes to properly defend you in these types of cases. Fraud cases include unique financial issues and intricacies that can often mean the difference between a guilty and not guilty verdict.

For more information, call us today or send us an email. There is no charge for the initial consultation and you can speak with a Provo criminal defense lawyer anytime.

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