Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Former Lawyer Charged With Federal Crime In Embezzlement Case
On December 21st, 2023, Bloomberg Law News reported that a lawyer has been arrested and charged with a federal crime for allegedly embezzling in excess of $1 million from his former law firm. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Jason R. Caraway—a former partner at the Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C. law firm… Read More »
Woman In Central Florida Sentences In COVID-19 Relief Funds Fraud Case
On December 14th, 2023, Yahoo News reported that a Central Florida woman was sentenced to federal prison for her role in a COVID-19 fraud case. The United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida has confirmed that 31-year-old Passion Jackson of Ocala, FL has been sentenced to two years in federal prison… Read More »
Florida Court Dismisses Criminal Charges Against Seven Doctors In Long-Standing “Pill Mill” Case
On February 22nd, 2024, Treasure Coast News reported that a Florida court had dismissed criminal charges against seven doctors. The physicians—along with several business executives—were facing allegations as part of a more than decade-long “pill mill” case. Here, our Orlando criminal defense attorney provides an overview of the allegations and the court decision. Background:… Read More »
Former Insurance Agent In Florida Gets 15 Year Prison Sentence In White Collar Fraud Case
On February 2nd, 2024, the Florida Record reported that a federal district court judge in Central Florida has sentenced Phillip Roy Wasserman to serve 15 years in state prison. Mr. Wasserman was convicted of carrying out a complex white collar fraud scheme, involving investment fraud, wire fraud, and tax fraud. He was also ordered… Read More »
Man From Florida Arrested, Charged With Election Fraud Offense In Kansas
According to a report from the Tampa Bay Times, George Andrews—a 30-year-old man from Dade City, Florida—has been arrested and charged with an election fraud offense in Kansas. Mr. Andrews stands accused of forging signatures on a petition for ballot access for the “No Labels” party. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer… Read More »
Doctor In Florida Arrested, Charged As Part Of Alleged Drug Distribution Scheme
According to a report from NBC News Channel 8, a doctor in Hernando County has been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged drug distribution scheme. Her granddaughter is also facing serious criminal charges. Within this article, our Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney explains what we know about the charges filed… Read More »
White Collar Crime: Florida Executive Pleads Guilty In $110 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
According to a report from Hoodline, an executive from Florida has entered a guilty plea in a $110 million Medicare fraud case in a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. Steven Richardson—a 40-year-old man from Broward County, Florida—pleaded guilty to a single count of federal conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Here, our Orlando white… Read More »
Doctor In Florida Arrested For Video Voyeurism
According to a report from WTSP, Dr. Pola Gayed—a physical therapy physician—from Polk County and Florida has been arrested for video voyeurism after allegedly recording a juvenile who was changing in a medical room. The doctor is also facing an evidence tampering charge. Here, our Orlando sex crimes defense lawyer for doctors discusses the… Read More »
What Is Racketeering?
Racketeering is a very serious, but often misunderstood criminal charge. If you or your loved one is facing allegations of illicit racketeering, it is crucial that you know what you are being accused of, the penalties that you could face, and the potential defense strategies that are available. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal… Read More »
Tax Preparer Sentenced To Prison In White Collar Fraud Case In Florida
On February 26th, 2024, Bloomberg Law reported that Phedson Dore—a tax preparer from Florida—was sentenced to two years in prison in a federal tax fraud case. Mr. Dore and his co-conspirator were convicted of filing hundreds of false tax returns over a three year period. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer highlights… Read More »
Daughter Of Former Mayor In Broward County Facing Serious Felony Fraud Charges
On January 3rd, 2024, the Miami Herald reported that Richelle Holness —the daughter of the former mayor of Broward, Florida—is facing serious federal felony fraud charges. She is facing a conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge after allegedly defrauding her father’s campaign donors out of thousands of dollars. In this article, our Orlando white… Read More »
Report: Flawed Roadside Drug Tests Result In More Than 30,000 Wrongful Arrest Each Year
According to a report from Reason Magazine, a new study finds that approximately 30,000 people are wrongfully arrested because of flawed roadside drug tests in the United States each year. It is an alarming finding. Within this blog post, our Orlando drug crimes defense attorney highlights the key things to know about the study… Read More »
Medical Professional In Florida Arrested After Minor Fender Bender
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a nurse practitioner was arrested and charged with a crime after a relatively minor fender bender in Central Florida. Ashley Welch, 39, was eventually booked in a Polk County jail after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident. Within this blog post, our Orlando criminal defense… Read More »
Physician In South Florida Sentenced In Fraudulent Prescription Case
On January 18th, 2024, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Southern District of Florida announced that a doctor accused of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances has been convicted by a jury in Miami-Dade County. Osmin Morales, 72, was found guilty of several felony charges. Here, our Florida criminal defense lawyer for doctors discusses the… Read More »
Florida Man Arrested And Charged With Wire Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft
On January 11th, 2024, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that Noah Michael Urban—a 19-year-old man from Palm Coast, Florida—has been arrested and charged with a white collar crime. The defendant in this federal case is now facing a felony wire fraud charge and a felony aggravated identity… Read More »
Will A Doctor Lose Their License If Convicted Of Drunk Driving In Florida?
DUIs are among the most common criminal charges filed in our state. Indeed, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) estimates that nearly 45,000 motorists were arrested and charged with a DUI offense in 2022 alone. Facing a DUI charge is stressful for any person—though it can be especially unnerving for a doctor. Will… Read More »
Should You Accept A Plea Bargain If You Are Facing A Federal Criminal Charge?
If you or someone else in your life was arrested and charged with a federal crime, you are probably feeling totally overwhelmed. Going up against federal prosecutors is scary. You may be considering a plea agreement. The Department of Justice (DOJ) explains that plea bargaining is a deal between the government and the defendant… Read More »
White Collar Criminal Charge: Former CEO Gets Two Years In Prison For “Cherry-Picking” Crypto Futures Fraud Scheme
On January 19th, 2024, Investment Executive reported that Peter Kambolin—the former owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Florida-based commodities Systematic Alpha Management LLC —will serve two years in prison for his role in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer discusses the charges in more detail. The Allegations:… Read More »
Is A Ponzi Scheme A Crime?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines a Ponzi scheme as a form of “investment fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors.” Investors can file a civil claim against the responsible party to seek financial relief for their damages. Beyond that, the person(s) responsible for a Ponzi scheme can face… Read More »
Contractor In Florida Convicted Of COVID-19 Fraud
On January 16th, 2024, the United States District Attorneys’ Office for the Southern District of Florida announced that a contractor from Miami-Dade County has been convicted of a serious white collar felony charge for COVID-19 fraud. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer provides a detailed overview of the allegations raised and the… Read More »
Man Arrested, Charged With Practicing Medicine Without A License In Central Florida
According to a report from Yahoo News, a man was arrested and charged with practicing medicine without a license in Central Florida. Juan Carlos Munoz Melgar, 56, was booked into the Orange County Jail. He is facing a felony criminal charge. In this article, our Orlando criminal defense lawyer provides an overview of the… Read More »
Four Traits To Look For In A White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer In Florida
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines a white collar crime as “non-violent offenses” that typically have “a financial motive.” That is not to say that a white collar criminal case is a minor issue. Many of these crimes are felony criminal charges that carry the risk for significant prison time. You need an… Read More »
Arrested For DUI In Orlando? What You Need To Know About Saving Your Driver’s License
Arrested for drunk driving/drugged driving in Central Florida? Your rights and your freedom could be on the line. You need to take immediate action to protect your right to drive. After a DUI arrest in Florida, your license can be suspended on an administrative basis—well before you have actually been convicted of a crime…. Read More »
Civil Lawsuit And Criminal Charges: Former Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Relationship With Student At Private School In Central Florida
According to reporting published by CBS News Miami, a former teacher at a private school in Central Florida is facing a civil lawsuit over an alleged relationship with a former student. The student was a minor at the time of the alleged sexual relationship. Click Orlando confirmed that their teacher, Harriet Sugg, was arrested… Read More »
Is Carjacking A Felony Offense In Florida?
Carjacking is one of the most serious criminal charges in Florida. It is classified as a violent theft offense. This raises an important question: Is carjacking a felony offense in Florida? The answer is a clear and unequivocal “yes”—indeed, it is an especially serious felony. Here, our Orlando criminal defense attorney provides a detailed… Read More »
