White-Collar Crimes Lawyer in St. Louis, MO
When you’re under investigation or charged with a white-collar crime in St. Louis or anywhere else in Missouri, the stakes are high. You’re facing not only serious criminal penalties, including federal prison time and steep fines, but also irreparable damage to your professional life, your reputation, and your future. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced white-collar crimes attorneys in St. Louis know how to protect your rights and aggressively challenge these complex cases at both the state and federal level.
Whether you’re a business owner, financial professional, healthcare provider, or corporate executive, our skilled defense attorneys provide expert representation tailored to your unique situation. With deep knowledge of financial crimes, extensive courtroom experience, and a reputation for strategic, client-focused defense, we stand ready to fight for you.
Accused of a white-collar crime in the St. Louis area? Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our defense team today.
Types of White-Collar Crimes We Handle in Missouri
Combs Waterkotte defends clients facing a broad range of state and federal white-collar allegations, including:
- Bank Fraud: Accusations of check kiting, forgery, fraudulent loan applications, or misrepresentation of financial documents.
- Medicare & Medicaid Fraud: Billing fraud, false claims, kickbacks, and misrepresentation involving federal healthcare programs.
- Mortgage Fraud: Loan modification scams, false appraisals, silent second mortgages, or inflated property values.
- Insurance Fraud: Submitting false claims, arson-for-profit schemes, or staged accidents.
- Tax Fraud & Tax Evasion: Failing to report income, falsifying returns, or claiming illegitimate deductions.
- Conspiracy: Agreements between parties to commit unlawful acts, often tied to other financial or drug offenses.
- Racketeering: Prosecution under RICO for patterns of criminal conduct such as bribery, extortion, or illegal gambling.
- Securities Fraud: Insider trading, market manipulation, or misrepresentations to investors.
- Extortion: Coercing money, services, or influence through threats or illegal pressure tactics.
- Illegal Gambling or Gaming: Running or profiting from unlicensed or fraudulent gambling operations.
- Forgery & Counterfeiting: Creating or altering documents, checks, or currency with fraudulent intent.
- Bribery: Offering or receiving something of value in exchange for influence or favorable treatment by a public official or business partner.
- Money Laundering: Hiding or “cleaning” funds derived from criminal activity through financial institutions or shell entities.
How Serious is White-Collar Crime in St. Louis, MO?
Despite their nonviolent nature, white-collar crimes in St. Louis are extremely serious, and prosecutors treat them that way. These crimes often involve significant sums of money, complex financial transactions, and an alleged abuse of trust or professional responsibility. Here's how serious it really is:
1. Prosecuted Aggressively at the State & Federal Levels
White-collar crimes are often investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI, IRS, or SEC, and prosecuted in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (St. Louis). These agencies have deep resources and dedicated task forces focused solely on fraud, embezzlement, and related offenses.
2. Long Prison Sentences Are Common
White-collar convictions can result in years, or even decades, behind bars. Sentences are often driven by the amount of financial loss and the complexity of the scheme. Judges may impose harsh penalties to “set an example,” especially if vulnerable victims were involved.
3. Restitution & Fines Can be Devastating
Convictions often come with massive restitution orders and civil penalties. The government can seize bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and other assets to satisfy a judgment. Fines can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
4. Reputation & Career Damage is Often Permanent
Being accused of a white-collar crime in St. Louis can ruin a professional’s career, especially for CPAs, attorneys, doctors, business owners, or anyone in finance or government. Licenses may be revoked, contracts lost, and professional relationships destroyed even before a conviction.
5. Charges Often Include Multiple Counts
Many white-collar crime indictments include numerous charges, like wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and more. Each charge can carry separate penalties and compound your legal risk.
6. Jurors Take These Case Seriously
Jurors may have less sympathy for people charged with financial crimes, especially when large amounts of money or public trust are involved. That’s why the defense must be meticulous, strategic, and persuasive from day one.
If you're being investigated or charged with a white-collar crime in St. Louis, it's not just a legal issue, it’s a life-altering event. Hiring an experienced white-collar crimes defense lawyer, like those at Combs Waterkotte, is critical to protect your rights, finances, and future.
Penalties for White-Collar Crimes in St. Louis
White-collar crime convictions can lead to:
- Federal or state prison sentences ranging from 1 to 30+ years
- Fines reaching hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars
- Asset forfeiture and restitution orders
- Permanent damage to your career and personal reputation
- Loss of business licenses, professional credentials, or government contracts
The consequences are real, and often irreversible. That’s why we fight aggressively to reduce or dismiss charges and protect what matters most to you. Call a St. Louis white-collar crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to discuss the specifics of your case.
Possible Defenses in a St. Louis, MO White-Collar Case
Depending on your charges, Combs Waterkotte may argue:
- No Criminal Intent: Honest mistakes in reporting or bookkeeping are not crimes.
- Entrapment: You were coerced or induced by law enforcement into committing a crime.
- Constitutional Violations: Illegal searches or seizures may invalidate evidence.
- Duress or coercion: You were pressured to act under threat.
- Insufficient Evidence: The government has not met its burden of proof.
Why Choose Combs Waterkotte for White-Collar Crime Defense in St. Louis?
When your finances and freedom are at stake, trust a law firm with the skill and tenacity to fight back. At Combs Waterkotte:
- We are trial-ready attorneys with deep experience in state and federal courts.
- We understand financial evidence and know how to counter expert witnesses.
- We maintain direct access to forensic accountants, investigators, and compliance experts.
- We treat every case with discretion, professionalism, and fierce advocacy.
- We know how to negotiate effectively with federal prosecutors and state attorneys to get you the best possible outcome.
