Overview
White collar allegations are different from most criminal cases. They usually involve no violence and no obvious crime scene — instead, the State or a federal agency builds its theory out of emails, ledgers, bank records, and contracts, and the central question is almost always one of intent: did something amount to fraud, or was it a business dispute, a bookkeeping error, or a misunderstanding? These cases also tend to unfold slowly, which means you may learn you are under investigation long before any charge is filed — and that early window is often the most important opportunity to shape the outcome.
Piotrowski Law Firm defends individuals and professionals facing fraud and financial-crime allegations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County — in Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines. We are equally focused on people who have been charged and on those who have simply received a target letter, a subpoena, or a call from an investigator.
Florida white collar & fraud charges
“White collar crime” covers a broad family of financially motivated offenses. Depending on the facts, charges can include:
- Fraud — including credit-card, insurance, mortgage, healthcare, and wire fraud
- Embezzlement and theft by an employee or person in a position of trust
- Identity theft and the criminal use of personal identification information
- Organized scheme to defraud — a serious Florida felony aimed at coordinated, ongoing fraudulent conduct
- Money laundering, forgery, check fraud, and related financial offenses
Penalties scale with the amount of alleged loss, and a conviction can mean prison, heavy restitution, and lasting damage to a career or professional license. We will explain in plain language what the specific allegation means for you, rather than leave you guessing.
Meticulous document review
In a fraud case, the documents are the case. Our defense begins with a careful, methodical review of the financial record — the same record the government is relying on — because that is where the prosecution’s theory either holds together or falls apart. We work to:
- Reconstruct the transactions and put each communication and entry back in its real context
- Test the intent element, distinguishing a crime from a civil dispute, a mistake, or ordinary business judgment
- Trace authorization and knowledge, since who approved what — and who actually knew — is frequently in dispute
- Engage forensic accountants where the numbers warrant an independent expert review
State and federal overlap
Many financial crimes can be prosecuted under either Florida law or federal law — and sometimes both. Conduct that crosses state lines, moves through the banking system, or touches federal programs can draw the attention of agencies such as the FBI, IRS, or U.S. Postal Inspectors, and federal cases carry their own sentencing framework and procedures. Understanding which sovereign is investigating — and engaging early, before charging decisions are locked in — can meaningfully affect where a case ends up and how it is resolved. We are prepared to defend these matters in both state and federal court.
Talk to a Miami white collar defense attorney today
If you believe you are under investigation, the smartest step is often to get counsel involved before you speak with investigators or produce documents. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and our phones are answered 24/7. Request a consultation.
This page provides general information about white collar and fraud defense in Florida and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.