Certain schemes can cause a great deal of trouble for many people, including those accused of running the schemes. In these cases, individuals could face serious charges for fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and other serious crimes. If this happens, the accused parties will certainly want to focus on creating meaningful criminal defense presentations.
Two individuals in California are currently facing this type of predicament. According to reports, the two men, who are brothers, were recently indicted on charges relating to international money laundering, conspiracy and theft of government property. During their arraignment, both men pleaded not guilty to the allegations. As a result, they are scheduled to go to trial next month.
The charges came about after authorities suspected that the men and two other co-conspirators used fraudulent means to obtain federal income tax refunds and laundered that money through international bank accounts. The fraudulent tax returns were reportedly filed under the names of identity theft victims. The alleged scheme purportedly resulted in the men obtaining at least $249,000 from fraudulent refunds. Their alleged actions reportedly took place from March 2014 to March 2015.
The charges involved in these cases could have steep repercussions, including decades in jail if convictions occur. Undoubtedly, these California men will want to explore their criminal defense options in order to find the routes they feel best suit their cases. They both will likely have a long road ahead of them as their cases move forward, but it may benefit them both to gain as much information as possible relating to the charges.