Texas prosecutors have charged two law firms and three attorneys with organized crime charges related to alleged workers’ compensation fraud. The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Fraud Unit coordinated with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and the DWC to investigate.
The Defendants are Facing Multiple Fraud Charges
The DWC has charged a law firm and two attorneys with fraud-related charges. The attorney and her staff allegedly billed the DWC’s attorney fee processing system for work they never did. According to the indictments, the lawyer and her staff submitted fraudulent attorney fee bills between July 1st, 2017, and August 31st, 2019.
When attorneys represent employees who become injured in filing a workers’ compensation claim, the attorneys can submit their fees through a system at DWC. The system is automated and allows the attorneys to be paid for the work they do represent clients. The attorneys’ fees are taken out of the injured employees’ benefits. The defendants in this case allegedly took out over $900,000 in false and fraudulent attorney fees from the DWC.
Prosecutors have also charged these defendants with engaging in organized crime. In Texas, engaging in organized crime is a first-degree felony. They are also facing second-degree felony charges for securing the execution of a document by deception. If they are convicted of the charges, they will face a conviction of life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
What to Do if You are Facing White-Collar Criminal Charges in Texas
Texas imposes serious penalties for white-collar crimes. The best thing you can do after being charged with a white-collar crime is contact an experienced lawyer. Your lawyer will ensure that law enforcement and prosecutors do not violate your rights after they arrest you. Your lawyer will also be able to negotiate with the prosecution to get your case dismissed, or your charges dropped.
Finally, after conducting a thorough investigation, your criminal defense lawyer will be able to develop an effective defense strategy. First, the prosecution must prove all of the elements of the specific crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If law enforcement officers violated your constitutional rights during the search and seizure process, you might be able to get the charges dismissed.
Your defense lawyer will be able to provide evidence casting doubt on the prosecution’s case. You may be able to argue that you committed the crime because of coercion or duress, that someone else compelled you to commit the crime. Alternatively, you may be able to claim incapacity, or that you were not able to commit the crime for physical or mental reasons.
Contact a Texas White-Collar Crime Lawyer
If your loved one is facing charges for fraud or any other type of white-collar crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Contact Abel Law Firm today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can protect your rights.