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White Collar Crime Defense Attorney in Houston, TX
A Houston white collar crime defense lawyer represents individuals and businesses accused of nonviolent financial offenses such as fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and identity theft. Cory Roth Law Office defends clients throughout Houston, TX in state and federal court, protecting careers, finances, and freedom from the moment an investigation begins.
What Is White Collar Crime Under Texas Law?
White collar crime refers to a nonviolent financial offense committed through deceit, breach of trust, or concealment for financial gain. In Texas, most white collar offenses are prosecuted under Chapter 32 of the Texas Penal Code (Fraud) and Chapter 34 (Money Laundering), while federal cases are typically prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Unlike street crimes, white collar cases are document-heavy, slow-moving, and often involve parallel investigations by multiple agencies — the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Texas Attorney General’s office, and the Harris County District Attorney all play a role in cases tied to Houston.
Types of White Collar Crimes We Defend in Houston
Houston’s role as a global center for energy, healthcare, banking, and the Port of Houston makes the city a major focal point for state and federal financial crime investigations. Cory Roth Law Office defends clients facing the full range of white collar allegations, including:
Fraud
Fraud is the umbrella charge in most white collar cases. It includes mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341), wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), healthcare fraud, securities fraud, mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, bank fraud, and PPP loan fraud. Texas insurance fraud is codified in Texas Penal Code § 35.02.
Embezzlement and Employee Theft
Embezzlement involves misappropriating money or property entrusted to you, often by an employer or a client. In Texas, embezzlement is prosecuted under the consolidated theft statute, Texas Penal Code § 31.03, and through misapplication of fiduciary property under § 32.45. See our pages on Houston embezzlement defense and employee theft defense.
Money Laundering
Texas Penal Code § 34.02 criminalizes acquiring, transferring, or concealing proceeds of criminal activity. Federally, money laundering is charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 and § 1957 and frequently accompanies fraud or drug trafficking allegations. Penalties scale rapidly with the dollar amount, and asset forfeiture is almost always on the table.
Identity Theft and Credit Card Abuse
Identity theft under Texas Penal Code § 32.51 applies to anyone who obtains, possesses, transfers, or uses another person’s identifying information with intent to harm or defraud. Credit card abuse falls under § 32.31. Charges range from a state jail felony to a first-degree felony depending on how many items of identifying information were involved. Learn more on our Houston identity theft defense and credit card fraud defense pages.
Forgery and Counterfeiting
Forgery under Texas Penal Code § 32.21 covers altering, making, or passing a writing — including checks, contracts, government records, wills, deeds, and currency — with intent to defraud. Penalties were significantly increased under SB 1379, effective September 1, 2025.
Tax Crimes
Federal tax evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201), filing false returns (§ 7206), and failure to file (§ 7203) are pursued by IRS Criminal Investigation. Tax cases often start with a civil audit and silently escalate to criminal referral, which is why early counsel is critical.
Bribery and Public Corruption
Bribery (Texas Penal Code § 36.02) and federal corruption charges (18 U.S.C. § 201, § 666) target both the person offering and the person receiving anything of value to influence official conduct. Public officials, contractors, lobbyists, and private citizens can all be charged.
Securities Fraud and Insider Trading
Securities fraud allegations are investigated by the SEC and prosecuted by the DOJ under 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b) and Rule 10b-5. Parallel civil and criminal proceedings are common, and statements made in the SEC investigation can be used against you in the criminal case.
Healthcare Fraud and False Claims
Houston’s medical center is a top federal enforcement target. Medicare and Medicaid fraud, kickbacks under the Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b), Stark Law violations, and qui tam whistleblower cases under the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. § 3729) all fall within white collar defense.
Computer Fraud and Cybercrime
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030) and Texas Penal Code § 33.02 (Breach of Computer Security) criminalize unauthorized access to computers, networks, and financial systems. Phishing, business email compromise, and cryptocurrency fraud cases are rising fast in Houston federal court.
Texas vs. Federal White Collar Charges in Houston
Whether a Houston white collar case is charged in state or federal court usually depends on three things: jurisdiction, dollar amount, and which agency investigated.
- State charges (Harris County) are typically filed when the conduct happened entirely within Texas and was investigated by the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, or the Texas Attorney General. Cases are prosecuted by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
- Federal charges are filed when conduct crosses state lines, involves federal agencies or programs (Medicare, the SBA, the FDIC), uses the U.S. mail or interstate wires, or involves federally regulated industries. These cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in downtown Houston.
Federal cases are governed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which calculate sentences primarily by loss amount, number of victims, sophistication, and role. A loss of $550,000 in a federal fraud case, for example, drives a dramatically different sentence than a $40,000 case — even when the underlying conduct looks identical.
Texas Penalties for White Collar Crimes
Texas grades most white collar offenses by the value of money or property involved. Penalties stack quickly and can run consecutively with federal time.
| Offense Level | Loss / Value | Maximum Penalty |
| Class C Misdemeanor | Less than $100 | Up to $500 fine |
| Class B Misdemeanor | $100 – $750 | 180 days jail; $2,000 fine |
| Class A Misdemeanor | $750 – $2,500 | 1 year jail; $4,000 fine |
| State Jail Felony | $2,500 – $30,000 | 180 days – 2 years state jail; $10,000 fine |
| Third-Degree Felony | $30,000 – $150,000 | 2 – 10 years prison; $10,000 fine |
| Second-Degree Felony | $150,000 – $300,000 | 2 – 20 years prison; $10,000 fine |
| First-Degree Felony | $300,000 or more | 5 – 99 years or life; $10,000 fine |
Penalties can be enhanced if the alleged victim was an elderly Texan, a government program, or a financial institution, or if you held a fiduciary role. See our overviews of first-degree felonies in Houston, second-degree felonies, third-degree felonies, and state jail felonies.
The White Collar Investigation and Prosecution Process
Most white collar cases follow a long, document-heavy timeline. Knowing what stage you are in tells you what defense moves are still available.
1. Pre-Charge Investigation
Investigations often begin quietly — with a civil audit, a whistleblower complaint, a bank’s suspicious activity report (SAR), or a competitor’s tip. The first sign you are a target may be a grand jury subpoena, a federal target letter, an SEC Wells notice, or an early-morning visit from federal agents. Anything you say during this stage can be used against you.
2. Grand Jury and Indictment
In federal cases, prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury, which decides whether to issue an indictment. In Harris County, cases above the misdemeanor level are also reviewed by a grand jury. A skilled defense attorney can sometimes prevent indictment by presenting evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, or persuading them to decline prosecution.
3. Arraignment and Pretrial
Once indicted, you appear before a judge for arraignment, enter a plea, and have bond set. Discovery — often hundreds of thousands of pages of financial records, emails, and bank statements — is exchanged. Most of the real work in a white collar case happens in pretrial motions: motions to suppress, motions in limine, motions to dismiss, and Daubert challenges to government experts.
4. Trial or Resolution
Many white collar cases resolve through deferred prosecution agreements, pretrial diversion, plea negotiation, or dismissal. When trial is the right move, success depends on dismantling the government’s theory of intent and loss in front of the jury.
Common Defenses to White Collar Crime Charges
Every white collar charge has a specific intent element the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Effective defenses we use at Cory Roth Law Office include:
- Lack of intent — the alleged conduct was a mistake, miscommunication, or accounting error, not deception.
- Good-faith reliance — you reasonably relied on the advice of a lawyer, accountant, or compliance officer.
- Insufficient evidence of agreement — in conspiracy charges, the government cannot prove a knowing agreement to commit the offense.
- Mistaken identity — in identity theft, hacking, and bank fraud cases, the wrong person was identified.
- Entrapment — government agents or informants induced conduct you were not predisposed to commit.
- Statute of limitations — the charged conduct occurred outside the applicable five- or seven-year window.
- Fourth Amendment violations — evidence obtained through unlawful searches, defective warrants, or improper subpoenas can be suppressed.
- Duress or coercion — you acted under credible threats of immediate harm.
Collateral Consequences of a White Collar Conviction
A white collar conviction can outlast any prison sentence. Beyond fines and incarceration, clients commonly face:
- Loss of professional licenses (medical, legal, CPA, real estate, insurance, securities)
- Civil restitution orders and asset forfeiture
- Suspension or debarment from federal contracting and Medicare/Medicaid participation
- Loss of voting rights and firearm rights
- Immigration consequences, including removal for non-citizens — a fraud conviction is almost always a deportable offense
- Damage to credit, employment, and security clearances
- Parallel civil lawsuits from victims, regulators, or shareholders
These collateral consequences are often more devastating than the criminal sentence itself, which is why early intervention by a Houston white collar defense lawyer matters so much. Related Houston defense areas we handle include felony defense, theft crime defense, and property crime defense.
Why Choose Cory Roth Law Office for Houston White Collar Defense
White collar cases are won in the documents, the discovery, and the details — not in courtroom theatrics. Clients choose Cory Roth Law Office for:
- Early-stage intervention — getting involved before charges are filed, when outcomes can still be quietly resolved.
- State and federal experience — comfort moving between Harris County criminal courts and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
- Document-driven defense — working alongside forensic accountants, e-discovery vendors, and industry experts to challenge the government’s loss calculations.
- Personal attention — your case is handled by an attorney, not handed off to associates and staff.
- Discretion — white collar accusations are reputational events; we treat them that way.
Speak With a Houston White Collar Crime Defense Lawyer Today
If you have received a subpoena, target letter, or any contact from federal agents — or if you have been arrested for fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, or any other financial offense in Houston — do not speak to investigators before speaking with a defense lawyer.
Call Cory Roth Law Office today for a confidential consultation. We respond quickly, listen carefully, and start protecting your rights from the first conversation. Contact our Houston office or learn more about our firm.
Federal healthcare fraud defense varies widely depending on complexity, stage of the case, and whether trial is required. Most matters require substantial retainers because of the document volume, expert involvement, and multi-track exposure. Cory Roth Law Office discusses fee structure transparently during the initial consultation.
Never without counsel. Statements to federal agents can be charged as false statements under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 if the government later concludes they were inaccurate — even on minor details. Decline interviews politely, get the agent's contact information, and call a Houston healthcare fraud defense attorney before saying anything substantive.
Federal prison is a real possibility but not inevitable. The outcome depends on the loss amount, role, criminal history, and cooperation. Early intervention, pre-indictment negotiation, and aggressive challenge of the loss calculation can produce non-incarceration outcomes in cases where the guideline range initially suggested years in prison.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines use the intended or actual loss to Medicare or Medicaid to drive the sentencing range. The government typically calculates loss broadly — sometimes counting every claim from a tainted referral source. Defense attorneys challenge methodology, double-counting, and the inclusion of medically necessary services in the loss figure.
Yes. The AKS has more than two dozen regulatory safe harbors covering arrangements such as employment, personal services contracts, space and equipment rental, investment interests, and value-based enterprises. An arrangement that fits within a safe harbor is immune from AKS prosecution.
Exclusion by the HHS Office of Inspector General bars a provider from billing Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or any federal healthcare program. Excluded providers also cannot work for any entity that bills these programs, in any capacity. Mandatory exclusion follows certain convictions; permissive exclusion can follow civil settlements or license actions.
Yes. The Texas Medical Board, Board of Nursing, and Board of Pharmacy can take license action based on a federal indictment, conviction, or even a civil settlement. License defense often runs parallel to the criminal and civil tracks and must be coordinated from the outset.
A CID is a pre-suit subpoena issued by the Department of Justice under the False Claims Act. It can demand documents, written answers, and oral testimony. Unlike a grand jury subpoena, a CID does not necessarily mean a criminal case exists — but it often signals parallel investigation. Responding properly is critical.
Hire a federal criminal defense attorney before responding in any way. A target letter means the U.S. Attorney's Office considers you the focus of a grand jury investigation. The window before indictment is the most important period for negotiation, presentation of exculpatory evidence, and a possible declination decision.
Yes. Federal healthcare fraud routinely produces parallel criminal prosecution, civil False Claims Act litigation, and administrative HHS-OIG exclusion proceedings. Each has a different burden of proof and a different set of remedies — and resolving one does not resolve the others.
Medicare fraud involves false billing to the federal Medicare program for seniors and certain disabled patients, while Medicaid fraud targets the joint federal-state program for low-income patients. Both are prosecuted federally under § 1347. Texas Medicaid fraud may also be prosecuted by the Texas Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Most federal healthcare fraud investigations last 12 to 36 months before charges are filed, though complex cases can run longer. The government typically uses CMS data analytics, audits, and confidential informants before approaching the target — meaning the case may be substantially developed before you ever know it exists.
The primary federal healthcare fraud statute is 18 U.S.C. § 1347, which criminalizes any knowing and willful scheme to defraud a healthcare benefit program. It carries up to 10 years per count, up to 20 years if serious bodily injury results, and life imprisonment if a patient dies.
In federal court, the loss amount is the dollar figure the government attributes to your conduct. It drives almost every federal white collar sentence. A defense lawyer who can credibly challenge the loss calculation — through forensic accounting, restitution offsets, or causation arguments — can often cut the recommended sentence in half or more.
Yes. Under the dual sovereignty doctrine, state and federal prosecutors can each bring charges arising from the same underlying conduct without violating double jeopardy. This is most common in money laundering, drug-related fraud, and identity theft cases that cross state lines.
Houston white collar defense fees vary widely based on the complexity of the case, whether it is state or federal, and the volume of discovery. Most firms offer free initial consultations so you can understand your situation and the likely scope of representation before any commitment.
Yes. Texas licensing boards for doctors, lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, and insurance professionals routinely suspend or revoke licenses after a fraud or theft conviction. Many cases trigger automatic reporting and disciplinary review even before sentencing.
In Texas, embezzlement is prosecuted as a form of theft under Penal Code § 31.03 because the legislature consolidated all theft offenses into one statute. The key difference is that embezzlement involves money or property lawfully entrusted to you, while traditional theft does not. The penalty levels are identical and tied to value.
Not always. First-time offenders with minimal loss amounts often qualify for probation, deferred adjudication, or pretrial diversion. Larger losses and federal cases governed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines carry a much higher risk of incarceration. Outcomes depend heavily on loss amount, role, cooperation, and acceptance of responsibility.
Federal white collar investigations in Houston commonly take 12 to 36 months, and complex healthcare or securities cases can run longer. The statute of limitations is generally five years for most federal financial crimes and seven to ten years for bank fraud and tax evasion.
Yes. Skilled pre-indictment advocacy can sometimes persuade prosecutors to decline charges, accept a civil resolution, or pursue a deferred prosecution agreement. This is one of the most valuable services a white collar defense attorney provides — the case that never becomes public.
A target letter is a written notice from a federal prosecutor informing you that you are the target of a grand jury investigation. It is a serious signal that an indictment may be coming. Do not respond, do not contact witnesses, and do not destroy any documents. Call a Houston federal defense lawyer the day you receive it.
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Speaking with federal agents without a lawyer is one of the costliest mistakes a target can make — lying to a federal agent is itself a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 1001. Politely decline, ask for the agent's card, and call a defense attorney immediately.
It depends on the dollar amount and the specific statute. Theft or fraud under $2,500 is typically a misdemeanor, while losses above $2,500 are felonies. A loss above $300,000 is a first-degree felony in Texas, punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
A white collar crime in Texas is a nonviolent financial offense involving fraud, deceit, or breach of trust. Common examples include fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, identity theft, and bribery. Most are prosecuted under Chapter 32 of the Texas Penal Code, with serious cases handled in federal court.