Brooklyn
White-Collar Crime Lawyer
Brooklyn White-Collar Crime Attorney
“White-collar crime” is a term for nonviolent offenses that generally involve financial deception carried out for personal or financial gain. Despite the deceptively mild name, a white-collar prosecution can carry consequences as severe as any violent felony: years in prison, forfeiture of assets, and court-ordered restitution to victims.
If you have been accused, a Brooklyn white collar criminal defense attorney is your best asset in this situation.
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, our team has years of experience handling complex white collar cases involving intricate financial records and multiple government agencies. We consult outside financial and forensic professionals when a case calls for it, and we are committed to responsive, detail-oriented communication with every client so that you can navigate a white collar investigation with confidence rather than uncertainty.
Facing an arrest? Call the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC.
Types of White Collar Crime Cases We Handle in Brooklyn, NY
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC has years of experience defending clients in a wide range of white collar crime cases. Some of the most commonly prosecuted white collar crimes in New York include:
Bribery. Offering money or another benefit to a public official in exchange for influence over their official duties.
Racketeering. Being part of an ongoing group or business that repeatedly commits crimes like fraud, bribery, or extortion to make money.
Money laundering. Passing money earned illegally through a legitimate business to disguise where it came from.
Insider trading. Trading stock based on material information that hasn’t yet been made public.
Insurance fraud. Deceiving an insurer to obtain a settlement you’re not entitled to.
Credit card fraud. Using someone else’s identity, or false information, to obtain or use a credit card.
Wire fraud. Using phone, email, text, or other electronic communication across state lines to carry out a scheme to defraud, punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison (up to 30 if a bank or federal disaster funds are involved).
Tax evasion. Concealing assets or income to avoid paying taxes owed.
Public corruption. An elected official accepting money or favors in exchange for official acts.
Embezzlement. Stealing funds or assets entrusted to you by your employer.
Our firm can handle these types of white-collar crime cases in Brooklyn and many others. Depending on the situation, cases can be heard in state or federal court. It is important to work with a white-collar crime lawyer in Brooklyn who has the experience to guide you through these complicated legal details.
What to Expect from Your Brooklyn White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney
When you hire the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, our team will carefully review the prosecution’s case against you and determine whether any due process violations occurred.
We’ll also examine the evidence to identify your strongest available defenses. Many white-collar cases involve highly technical financial details, so we may consult outside experts, such as a forensic accountant, to help develop a paper trail that supports your defense.
Founder Robert Tsigler holds three independently verified third-party recognitions:
- 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo
- 5.0/5.0 peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” selection
When you choose our firm, a single attorney doesn’t handle your case alone. It’s discussed as part of the firm’s roundtable model, where multiple attorneys weigh in on strategy, so the approach to your defense reflects more than one perspective.
If you are ready to discuss your legal options, contact our Brooklyn white collar crime lawyers now for a case evaluation.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
How White Collar Investigations Typically Begin
Most white collar cases don’t start with an arrest. They start with an investigation that the target often doesn’t know is underway. A bank’s suspicious activity report, a whistleblower inside a company, a disgruntled business partner, or a routine regulatory audit can all trigger a state or federal inquiry months or years before any charges are filed.
By the time a client hears from an FBI agent or an Assistant District Attorney (or a subpoena arrives at their office), investigators have frequently already reviewed bank records, emails, and financial statements.
This is part of why early legal representation matters. How a person responds to that first contact can shape the entire trajectory of a case, whether they answer questions, produce documents, or decline to speak until counsel is retained.
Anyone who learns they may be the subject of a financial crimes investigation in Brooklyn should speak with an attorney before speaking with investigators.
State Court vs. Federal Court: Where a White Collar Case Can Land
White collar allegations in Brooklyn can be prosecuted in New York state court or in federal court, depending on the conduct involved.
State Charges in Brooklyn
Theft-based offenses are typically handled by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office under New York’s grand larceny statutes, where the felony level is usually set by the dollar value of the property involved:
Charge | Property Value |
Grand Larceny, 4th Degree | Over $1,000 |
Grand Larceny, 3rd Degree | Over $3,000 |
Grand Larceny, 2nd Degree | Over $50,000 |
Grand Larceny, 1st Degree | Over $1,000,000 |
(N.Y. Penal Law §§ 155.30, 155.35, 155.40, 155.42. Current as of July 2026)
There are exceptions to the dollar value rule. Some thefts are automatically grand larceny no matter what the property is worth — for example, stealing a credit card, a firearm, or property taken directly off another person.
Federal Charges in Brooklyn, NY
A case is more likely to be prosecuted federally, typically by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, when the conduct involves:
- Communications or transactions that cross state lines
- Interstate wires (phone, email, text, or internet)
- A federally insured bank or financial institution
- Securities, commodities, or other SEC-regulated activity
Federal statutes for offenses like wire fraud, bank fraud, and securities fraud often carry harsher sentencing exposure than their state-law counterparts. Some conduct can be charged in either venue, and which one a case lands in can significantly affect the potential penalties and how the case proceeds.
Your defense attorney can explain what the charges for a Brooklyn white-collar offense mean for you and where your case may be heard.
Potential Punishment for White Collar Crime Conviction in Brooklyn
The penalties for white collar crimes fluctuate based on the amount of money involved, the length of time the criminal activity continued, and the degree of deception, cover-up, or fraud the defendant used to sustain it. The penalties for a white-collar crime conviction can include:
- Fines in proportion to the severity of the offense
- Restitution to victims, in addition to liability for related civil damages
- Loss of professional licenses
- Restriction from engaging in certain financial activities
- Forfeiture of assets, particularly those gained from the criminal activity
- Imprisonment in state or federal prison, depending on the severity of the offense
If convicted, you could face some or all of these penalties. Whether you knowingly engaged in a white collar crime, were deceived into participating without realizing it, or were unjustly accused, you need reliable legal counsel from a Brooklyn white collar criminal defense attorney to navigate your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a white collar crime in New York?
White collar crime is not a single statute. It is an umbrella term covering nonviolent, financially motivated offenses such as fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion. Depending on the specific conduct, these cases are charged under New York’s Penal Law or, when interstate conduct or federal agencies are involved, under federal criminal statutes.
Will my case be handled in state or federal court?
It depends on the facts. Theft, embezzlement, and fraud confined to New York and prosecuted by the Kings County DA generally proceed in state court. Cases involving interstate wire communications, federally insured banks, the SEC, IRS Criminal Investigation, or the FBI are more likely to be prosecuted federally, often by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Can a white-collar case be resolved without going to trial?
Many white collar cases resolve through negotiated pleas, pretrial diversion, or, in some circumstances, a prosecutor’s decision not to bring charges after reviewing the evidence defense counsel presents. Whether that is realistic in a given case depends on the strength of the evidence, the client’s record, and how early counsel becomes involved.
What should I do if investigators contact me about a financial crime?
Do not answer questions or provide documents without speaking with an attorney first, even if you believe you have done nothing wrong. Informal statements made to investigators before any charges are filed can become evidence later. Contact a white-collar defense attorney immediately if you are contacted by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the SEC, or a local prosecutor’s office.
The White Collar Criminal Law Firm of Robert Tsigler, PLLC Is Ready to Fight for You
Getting representation as soon as possible after any white-collar-related charge can be crucial to working toward a positive result. These charges are serious and can result in expensive fines, loss of professional licenses, and incarceration.
If you believe you are under investigation or have been arrested, contact our Brooklyn white collar crime lawyers today for a case evaluation. We are available 24/7 at 718-878-3781.
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