Se habla Español | Wir sprechen Deutsch | Mówimy po polsku
Spanish Translation German Translation Polish Translation
Contact us for your initial consultation
847.577.8700
posted on 2/5/21

An accountant at a large Chicago-based corporation has decided that she has had enough of her employer’s harassment. She has endured years of verbal abuse and demeaning comments from her boss, and she feels that it is time she takes a little something back from the corporation that has mistreated her.

She has access to the company’s bank accounts and transfers a few $500 payments to an account she set up. Then she transfers the money into her personal bank account. During a yearly audit, another accountant caught the suspicious behavior. Now she’s facing criminal charges for embezzlement. Embezzlement is one of five commonly charged white collar crimes in Illinois, which we will discuss below.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement is a common, yet serious crime in Illinois. Embezzlement occurs whenever a person in a position of trust unlawfully obtained assets through their position of trust. The prosecution must prove that the defendant took the money or assets intending to defraud another person. The penalties for embezzlement depend on how much property or money was stolen. When someone steals between $500 and $10,000 in assets, they will be charged with a class 4 felony.

Forgery

Forgery occurs when someone creates a fake document with the intention of defrauding another person. Using another person’s PIN code or signing a check under someone else’s name are examples of forgery. The majority of forgery charges are class 3 felonies in Illinois.

Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud has become more commonplace than ever. The most common type of credit card fraud involves using a stolen credit card to make unauthorized purchases. In some cases, a person will steal another person’s wallet and use their actual credit card to make purchases. In other cases, someone will steal the victim’s credit card information online and use it to make purchases without taking the physical credit card. When a person uses an unissued credit card to purchase at least $300 of products within six months, they will face class 3 felony charges.

Identity Theft

It has become far too easy for people to steal other people’s personal information and commit identity theft. Under Illinois law, identity theft involves the unauthorized use of a person’s personal information, such as their license number, Social Security number, name, and address. The defendant must intend to fraudulently gain goods or services or commit another felony using the stolen information to be convicted of identity theft.

Theft

Illinois has a broad statute that defines the crime of theft as an act of obtaining goods or services from another person without their authorization. Theft can include burglary, shoplifting, and robbery. Defendants who have stolen $300 or more will face felony charges for theft in Illinois. The more property or goods were stolen, the harsher the potential penalties.

Contact a Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you need an attorney, experience matters. If you are facing charges for white-collar crime, the award-winning criminal defense lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson can help. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.