Federal Money Laundering Lawyers

Types of Federal Money Laundering Charges We Defend

Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956)

The primary federal money laundering statute criminalizes financial transactions involving proceeds of specified unlawful activity with intent to promote illegal activity, conceal the source of funds, or avoid transaction reporting requirements. Penalties: Up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the amount laundered Asset Forfeiture: All property involved in money laundering transactions

Monetary Instrument Transportation (18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2))

International money laundering involving transportation of monetary instruments into or out of the United States with intent to promote illegal activity or conceal the source of funds. Penalties: Up to 20 years in prison and massive fines Enhanced Penalties: RICO predicates and conspiracy enhancements

Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business (18 U.S.C. § 1960)

Operating money transmitting businesses without proper state licenses or federal registration, often charged alongside money laundering in cryptocurrency and informal value transfer cases. Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine Business Consequences: Permanent prohibition from money services business activities

Structuring Financial Transactions (31 U.S.C. § 5324)

Breaking up financial transactions to evade currency transaction reporting requirements, commonly known as “smurfing.” Often charged as conspiracy when multiple people are involved. Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine Civil Forfeiture: Structured funds subject to administrative forfeiture

Bank Secrecy Act Violations (31 U.S.C. § 5322)

Willful violations of currency transaction reporting, suspicious activity reporting, and record-keeping requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act. Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine Corporate Penalties: Massive fines and compliance monitoring for businesses

RICO Money Laundering Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 1962)

Money laundering often serves as a predicate offense for RICO prosecutions, resulting in enhanced penalties and broader conspiracy liability. Penalties: Up to 20 years in prison plus RICO forfeiture Enterprise Liability: Forfeiture of entire criminal enterprise

Cryptocurrency Money Laundering

Money laundering using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies presents unique legal challenges involving blockchain analysis, mixer services, and international transactions. Penalties: Same as traditional money laundering but with enhanced complexity Technology Issues: Requires specialized defense strategies for blockchain evidence

Trade-Based Money Laundering

Using international trade transactions to disguise the movement of criminal proceeds through over-invoicing, under-invoicing, and phantom shipments. Penalties: Up to 20 years plus customs violations International Complications: Multi-jurisdictional prosecution and asset recovery

Federal Money Laundering Penalties and Enhancements

MONEY LAUNDERING SENTENCING ENHANCEMENTS Federal sentences for money laundering are dramatically increased based on the amount laundered, sophisticated means, leadership role, and connection to other criminal activity. Even first-time offenders face substantial prison sentences.

ASSET FORFEITURE WARNING Money laundering prosecutions involve extensive civil and criminal asset forfeiture. The government can seize property before trial and seek forfeiture of all property involved in or traceable to money laundering transactions.

Federal Money Laundering Defense Process

1. Financial Investigation Response

When federal agents investigate suspected money laundering, we immediately assess the scope of the investigation, advise on asset protection, and coordinate with financial institutions to protect our clients’ interests.

2. Grand Jury and Subpoena Defense

Money laundering investigations involve extensive grand jury subpoenas for banking records, business documents, and witness testimony. We challenge overbroad subpoenas and prepare witnesses for grand jury appearances.

3. Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Defense

The government often seizes assets early in money laundering cases. We immediately challenge seizures, file claims in forfeiture proceedings, and work to protect innocent owner interests.

4. Complex Financial Evidence Analysis

Money laundering cases involve voluminous financial records, banking data, and transaction analysis. Our team works with forensic accountants to analyze evidence and identify defense opportunities.

5. International Cooperation and MLAT Requests

Many money laundering cases involve international evidence and mutual legal assistance treaty requests. We coordinate with foreign counsel and challenge improper international evidence gathering.

6. Trial Preparation and Expert Witnesses

Money laundering trials require sophisticated presentation of financial evidence. We work with banking experts, financial analysts, and technology specialists to present effective defenses.

7. Sentencing and Asset Recovery

If conviction occurs, we present comprehensive mitigation evidence and challenge money laundering loss calculations while working to recover seized assets for our clients’ families.

Common Money Laundering Defense Strategies

Lack of Knowledge of Criminal Source

Money laundering requires knowledge that funds derive from criminal activity. We challenge the government’s ability to prove knowledge through evidence of legitimate business purposes and good faith conduct.

Challenging Predicate Offense Evidence

Money laundering charges require proof of specified unlawful activity. We attack the underlying predicate offenses and challenge the government’s evidence of criminal source funds.

Legitimate Business Purpose Defense

Many financial transactions have legitimate business purposes. We present evidence of lawful business reasons for challenged transactions and dispute government characterizations.

Challenging Transaction Tracing

The government must trace criminal proceeds through complex financial transactions. We challenge transaction tracing through expert testimony and alternative theories of fund sources.

Constitutional Challenges to Financial Surveillance

We challenge unconstitutional financial surveillance, improper use of National Security Letters, and violations of banking privacy rights in money laundering investigations.

Statute of Limitations and Venue Challenges

Money laundering cases often involve transactions spanning multiple years and jurisdictions. We carefully analyze timing and venue issues to challenge improper prosecutions.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Defense

BSA/AML Regulatory Framework

The Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions to implement comprehensive anti-money laundering programs, including customer due diligence, suspicious activity monitoring, and transaction reporting.

FinCEN Enforcement Actions

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network aggressively enforces AML requirements through civil penalties, consent orders, and criminal referrals for willful violations.

OFAC Sanctions Compliance

Money laundering cases often involve Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions violations when transactions involve sanctioned individuals, entities, or jurisdictions.

Corporate AML Defense

We defend financial institutions, money services businesses, and other entities facing AML enforcement actions, helping implement effective compliance programs and negotiate favorable resolutions.

Why Choose Adams Defense Law for Money Laundering Defense

Federal money laundering defense requires attorneys who understand complex financial regulations, international banking, cryptocurrency technology, and federal criminal procedure. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Financial Crimes Expertise: Deep understanding of money laundering statutes, banking regulations, and FinCEN requirements
• Asset Forfeiture Experience: Extensive experience challenging seizures and defending forfeiture proceedings
• International Experience: Coordination with foreign counsel and challenging international evidence gathering
• Technology Understanding: Expertise in cryptocurrency, blockchain analysis, and digital asset tracing
• Expert Witness Network: Access to forensic accountants, banking experts, and financial analysts
• Corporate Defense: Experience defending businesses facing AML enforcement actions
• Early Intervention: Ability to intervene during investigations before charges are filed
• 24/7 Availability: Immediate response for asset seizures and federal arrests

Our Offices: Defending Money Laundering Cases Nationwide

Chicago Money Laundering Defense

Our Chicago office defends money laundering cases in the Northern District of Illinois, including cases involving Chicago’s financial district and international trade through O’Hare Airport. We handle cases prosecuted by the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office and investigated by federal financial crimes task forces.

New York Money Laundering Defense

New York is the center of international finance and money laundering prosecutions. Our NYC practice focuses on defending Wall Street professionals, international businesses, and cryptocurrency companies facing money laundering charges in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Kansas City Money Laundering Defense

Our Kansas City office provides money laundering defense throughout the Midwest, handling cases in the Western District of Missouri and surrounding federal districts. We defend clients involved in agricultural finance, regional banking, and interstate commerce facing money laundering allegations.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED Money laundering investigations involve immediate asset seizure risks. The sooner we begin your defense, the better we can protect your assets and freedom.

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International Money Laundering Issues

Cross-Border Investigations

Money laundering cases often involve multiple countries, requiring coordination with foreign law enforcement through mutual legal assistance treaties and international cooperation agreements.

Offshore Banking Defense

We defend clients involved in offshore banking structures that are challenged as money laundering schemes, working with international counsel to protect legitimate offshore arrangements.

FATCA and Foreign Account Reporting

Foreign account reporting violations often accompany money laundering charges. We coordinate defense strategies across multiple regulatory and criminal proceedings.

Extradition Defense

International money laundering cases can involve extradition requests. We work with international counsel to challenge extradition and coordinate multi-jurisdictional defense strategies.

Emerging Money Laundering Trends

Digital Asset Money Laundering

Cryptocurrency money laundering involves unique challenges including decentralized exchanges, privacy coins, mixing services, and cross-chain transactions requiring specialized defense approaches.

Trade-Based Money Laundering

International trade provides opportunities for money laundering through invoice manipulation, phantom transactions, and commodity price manipulation requiring complex commercial law defenses.

Real Estate Money Laundering

High-value real estate transactions are increasingly scrutinized for money laundering, especially involving shell companies, cash purchases, and foreign buyers.

Professional Services Money Laundering

Attorneys, accountants, and other professionals face increased scrutiny for facilitating money laundering through client transactions, requiring careful attention to professional responsibility issues.

Call (312) 566-9173 for immediate money laundering defense consultation. Available 24/7 for asset seizures and federal arrests.