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Should you fight back if accused of government fraud?

On Behalf of | Jul 25, 2019 | Government Fraud

Defrauding the government is one of the worst things that a person can do in terms of white collar crimes. Government fraud convictions can lead to years behind bars and extensive fines.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that theft accounts for over half of all fraud cases in the United States, and making false statements made up a quarter of additional cases. These cases included actions such as forgery, accepting bribes, extortion and others.

Interestingly, when suspects were identified in relation to cases of fraud against the government, the GAO admits that only 11.7% of the individuals were prosecuted. Most federal employees were simply dismissed after a formal loss recovery plan was put into place. When prosecuting, around 95% of cases were won by the government, but many times, the courts granted suspensions or probation for the accused.

What is your best option if you’ve been accused of committing government fraud?

If you have been accused of committing fraud, then it’s in your best interests to call your attorney immediately. Whether or not there is an active investigation at that time, it’s best to have your attorney on board to start building a defense. Your attorney will then be with you every step of the way, from the moment you’re accused through a trial or plea deal.

Many people worry about fighting back against the government, because its funds are so great. However, you, like anyone else in the country, have the right to remain innocent and to be treated as such until your guilt is proven. Fighting to maintain your innocence is worth the time.

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