NYC Federal
Embezzlement
Charges Lawyer
Dedicated Federal Embezzlement Charges Attorney in New York City
Federal embezzlement charges can threaten your job, your finances, and your freedom all at once. If you have been accused of taking money or property you were trusted to manage, you need to understand what you are facing and who can help you respond.
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC defends clients across New York City against federal embezzlement allegations.
Robert Tsigler is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of New York. That allows him to appear in the federal courts that hear most NYC embezzlement cases.
As an NYC federal embezzlement charges lawyer, he works to build a clear picture of the government’s evidence early, including how much loss the government claims. That way, you know what is actually being alleged and what your options are.
Reach out to talk through the specifics of your case before you say anything further to investigators or your employer.
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What Counts as Federal Embezzlement
Embezzlement happens when someone who was trusted with money, property, or records takes it for their own benefit instead of using it the way they were supposed to. Unlike a stranger stealing something, the person accused of embezzlement usually had legal access to the funds or property as part of a job, a position, or a formal duty.
Accountants, bookkeepers, bank employees, government contractors, nonprofit and agency staff, and anyone who manages funds for an employer are the people most often investigated for this offense. This is a form of white-collar crime, and the government generally has to show both that the money or property went missing and that the person took it on purpose, not by accident or mistake.
What Makes an Embezzlement Case Federal
Most embezzlement cases are handled in state court. A case usually becomes federal when the money has a federal connection. Three statutes cover most federal embezzlement charges in New York City:
Government money or property: Taking funds, property, or records that belong to the United States or a federal agency can be charged under 18 U.S.C. § 641.
Bank money: Officers, employees, and agents of a federally insured bank can be charged under 18 U.S.C. § 656.
Organizations that receive federal funds: Agents of a city agency, nonprofit, hospital, university, or other organization that gets more than $10,000 a year in federal funding can be charged under 18 U.S.C. § 666.
The last category surprises many people. The money you are accused of taking does not have to be federal money. If your employer received enough federal funding, taking $5,000 or more of its property can lead to federal charges.
Embezzlement, Theft, and Intent Under Federal Law
Embezzlement and theft both involve taking something that belongs to someone else, but the law treats them differently because of the relationship between the accused and the property. Larceny can be committed by anyone against anyone. Embezzlement requires that the accused already had authorized access to the funds as part of a job or role.
Under New York state law, embezzlement is not a separate crime; it is charged as larceny under Penal Law § 155.05. Federal law is broader. Sections 641 and 666 cover embezzling, stealing, and knowingly converting property, so federal prosecutors do not have to choose between theft and embezzlement. What they do have to prove is the federal connection and your intent.
Prosecutors must prove fraudulent intent, meaning the accused meant to deprive the rightful owner of the property. A person who genuinely, even if mistakenly, believed the property was theirs generally lacks that intent. Planning to pay the money back later is generally not a defense, because federal courts treat even a temporary taking as enough.
Courts look at how the property was taken to decide whether intent existed. Taking something openly, in front of the owner, points away from fraudulent intent, while taking it secretly points toward it.
Federal Embezzlement Penalties
Most embezzlement cases start at the state level, but a case becomes federal when it involves government money, federal contracts, or funds overseen by a federal agency.
A contractor who diverts federal program funds or a federal employee who misuses public money can face charges under 18 U.S.C. § 641. That is the main statute covering theft and embezzlement of government money, property, or records. A bank employee who embezzles from a federally insured bank faces a separate statute, 18 U.S.C. § 656. Bank employees charged under § 656 face steeper penalties: up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine when more than $1,000 is involved. The maximum is 1 year in prison when the amount is $1,000 or less.
Under § 641, the value of the property taken sets the maximum penalty. If the amount is $1,000 or less, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. If the amount exceeds $1,000, it becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
A conviction also typically comes with an order of restitution, meaning repayment of what was taken, along with supervised release after any prison term. In some cases, judges can impose probation instead of prison, along with community service.
How Our Federal Embezzlement Defense Team Approaches Your Case
When federal embezzlement charges are on the table, multiple attorneys review the evidence and discuss strategy together rather than leaving it to one person’s read of the file.
Robert Tsigler began his legal career as an intern at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, which gave him an early, inside look at how prosecutors build and evaluate cases.
The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so a client contacted by federal agents or notified of a pending investigation is not left waiting to get answers.
Federal cases move through grand jury review, formal charges, and detention hearings on compressed timelines. That is why getting a lawyer involved before you answer any questions from investigators matters more than it does in most state cases.
A Federal Financial Crime Result
A client facing federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, carrying up to 20 years of exposure, retained the firm and resolved the case with no prison time.
Charges Faced | Outcome |
|---|---|
Federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft (up to 20 years exposure) | No prison time |
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my case be heard in Manhattan or Brooklyn federal court?
NYC federal embezzlement cases are generally prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan or the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn. Which court hears the case depends on where the conduct occurred. Robert Tsigler is admitted to practice in both districts.
What should I do if federal agents want to question me before any charges are filed?
You are not required to answer questions from federal agents without a lawyer present, even before formal charges exist. Speak with a lawyer first so you understand what the investigation covers and what your rights are.
Can an embezzlement charge be resolved without going to trial?
Many federal embezzlement cases end in a negotiated resolution rather than a trial, depending on the strength of the evidence and the amount involved. A lawyer can evaluate whether a negotiated outcome, a motion to dismiss, or a trial defense best fits your situation.
Does paying back the money end the case?
Repaying money or returning property does not automatically end a federal embezzlement case, though it can be relevant to how prosecutors and judges view the matter. Restitution is typically ordered as part of sentencing, not as a substitute for the criminal case itself.
How is bail decided in a federal embezzlement case?
Federal judges consider flight risk, ties to the community, and the nature of the allegations when setting bail or release conditions in financial crime cases. Embezzlement defendants are often released on conditions since these charges rarely involve violence.
Do I need a lawyer if I am only a witness, not a suspect?
Anyone contacted by federal investigators in connection with a financial crime investigation should speak with a lawyer before giving a statement, even as a witness. A witness today can become a target as an investigation develops.
Talk to a NYC Federal Embezzlement Charges Lawyer Today
Federal embezzlement allegations move quickly once investigators get involved, and decisions made in the first few days of an investigation can shape the rest of the case. Robert Tsigler and the firm’s federal defense team are available around the clock to review what you are facing and explain your options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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Tsigler Law Can Fight for You
If you have been wrongfully accused of federal embezzlement charges, contact Tsigler Law immediately. Our principal attorney Robert Tsigler is a well-known and award-winning criminal defense attorney with an impressive record helping thousands of NYC residents just like you win their cases. His team of expert attorneys have unparalleled experience navigating these challenging cases and always aim to serve their clients’ best interests.
When you’re confronted by federal prosecutors on embezzlement charges, it is in your best interest to seek qualified legal assistance right away. Call Tsigler Law at (718) 878-3781 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure you receive timely, comprehensive representation during this difficult time.
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