Fraud Charges

Robert Fickman — Houston Criminal Fraud Defense Lawyer

In the past 25 years I have defended people charged with every kind of fraud allegation, including wire fraud, mail fraud, telemarketing fraud, mortgage fraud, bank fraud, credit card fraud, health care fraud, and insurance fraud.

In fraud and other white-collar cases, the government throws out a giant net and sometimes catches the wrong fish. You may well be caught up in a net you do not belong in.

In my opinion, to develop a strong defense you must first recognize the realities of our criminal justice system. In my opinion, in reality the presumption of innocence does not exist. In this country, anyone accused of a serious crime is presumed guilty by the public. You must be prepared to prove your innocence to stand a chance. As your lawyer, my job is to do my best to develop a strong defense to prove your innocence. As your lawyer my job is to do my best to win your case by proving your innocence.

In fraud cases, there are potential and available defenses I may be able to use. Fraud is an offense where the prosecutor has to prove that a person had the intent to commit a crime. In many fraud cases, people get involved in what appears to be a legitimate business transaction only to find out later that someone else involved was doing something wrong or someone who lost an investment is willing to lie to try to get it back. You may be an honest investor who is now charged with fraud.

Here are some of the most common types of fraud charges:

• Mortgage fraud People who are legitimately involved in a real estate transaction as a builder, contractor, lender, broker, or home buyer might find themselves accused of mortgage fraud. The charge often involves an accusation of a fraudulent loan application, in which money or equity was skimmed off the top. The consequences of a conviction can be devastating, since the sentence is largely determined by the amount of fraud, which often involves millions of dollars.
• Health care fraud People charged with health care fraud include doctors, medical assistants, nurses, clinic owners, and health care service businesses. Often, the person charged is accused of submitting fraudulent bills to insurance companies, Medicare, or Medicaid. Health care fraud charges usually include a count of conspiracy. Large sums of money are involved in health care fraud, so the consequences of a conviction are very serious, involving potentially lengthy jail sentences.
• Bank fraud People charged with bank fraud are typically bank officers and people who make loan applications. The typical allegation is that a bank officer approved a loan they should not have approved in exchange for money.
• Mail, wire, and telemarketing fraud Wire fraud and mail fraud are often linked to telemarketing fraud or Ponzi-type schemes. The people charged often include innocent investors.

Free consultation: If you have been charged with fraud, contact Houston criminal defense attorney Robert Fickman to discuss your case.