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The Increase in Fraud in a Down Economy

The Increase in Fraud in a Down Economy

Fraud has been on the rise in the United States for some time now. The increase in these occurrences coincides, not surprisingly, with our economy’s continued decline. States like South Carolina have been particularly hard-hit by the long recession.

It is important to remember that even though fraud is a white collar crime, that does not mean the penalties for conviction are light, particularly since most are considered federal crimes. If suspicion falls on you for any alleged act of mortgage, tax, bank, healthcare, mail, or wire fraud, you need to contact a qualified defense attorney as soon as possible.

The high cost of fraud for defendants

One high profile case of mortgage fraud involved a scheme by a New Jersey man named Charles Harvath, who along with partners allegedly sought to profit from the sale of premier real estate owned by distressed developers and homeowners in several states, including South Carolina. They apparently used falsified loan applications and other fraudulent documents to obtain mortgage loans for unqualified borrowers. Estimates by federal authorities indicate that this scheme cost bank lenders more than $40 million. Harvath is now facing charges of bank, mortgage, and wire fraud, with penalties that could add up to 40 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines.

In a recent case of tax fraud, a couple, Yolanda Poz and Victor Angel Quiez Poz of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, participated in a multi-million dollar scheme in which Yolanda used her tax preparation business, Poz Servicios Para Hispanos, to prepare hundreds of falsified tax returns that generated refunds filers were actually not entitled to receive. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) suspects that she and her husband also made up some of the filers. Yolanda was sentenced to 46 months in prison, while her husband, an illegal alien, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and then faces deportation upon his release. Both will also forfeit $319,000.

If you are accused of fraud or being investigated for fraud, contact an attorney immediately

If you are facing charges of mortgage, tax, bank, healthcare, mail, or wire fraud in South Carolina, or learn you are the subject of a criminal investigation, you need to speak to fraud defense lawyer Jack B. Swerling as soon as possible. Call 24 hours a day at 800-701-0599 or use our contact form.

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    1720 Main St
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    Columbia, South Carolina 29201-2850
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Jack Swerling In The News >>

  • Jack Swerling, Derrick Mobley and Alissa Wilson were successful in having a Judge rule after an extensive hearing, that the defendant was immune from prosecution based on the “Stand Your Ground” law in a murder prosecution. The Judgment was handed down on March 29, 2021.
  • Jack Swerling, Gregory Harris and Alissa Wilson obtained a Not Guilty Verdict in Lexington County on March 3, 2022. An Orthopedic Surgeon was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of a friend.
  • “When Jack is on my docket, I tell my law clerks, ‘You do not want to miss this. You are seeing one of the greatest trial lawyers in the state’s history.'” -South Carolina Circuit Court Judge
  • Jack was selected to Super Lawyers Magazine Top Ten List for 2019. Each year Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in South Carolina via a selection process involving peer evaluations, independent research and professional achievement. The South Carolina lawyers who receive the highest points during this selection process are further recognized in the South Carolina Super Lawyers Top Ten List.
  • USA v. FRANK*: In a child pornography case, Swerling was successful in obtaining a 22 level variance reducing the defendant’s sentence from 8 years to 6 months.
  • STATE v. BORIS: The defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a case where the defendant was involved in a shoot-out with 3 police officers.
  • STATE v. TYGER: Jack Swerling obtains a not guilty verdict in a criminal sexual conduct case in Beaufort County.
  • Pre Trial Dispositions: STATE v. DWAYNE: Mr. Swerling successfully argued for the dismissal of stalking and unlawful use of telephone charges brought against a prominent businessman in Florence County.
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