Federal Money Laundering

Investigators in at least one state have sought and received court authorization to wiretap communication apps and social media sites rather than traditional landlines or cell phones. Popular social media websites such as Facebook and Instagram (which is now owned by Facebook) have continually been updated over the years to add new ways people can…

The Department of Justice recently announced the unsealing of indictments in the Western District of Pennsylvania against 20 individuals for conspiring to launder money and commit computer fraud. The defendants located throughout 5 European countries allegedly laundered or attempted to launder tens of millions of dollars stolen from victims of cybercrime as members of the QQAAZZ organization. …

The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel recently published an opinionreviewing the Department’s interpretation of the federal Wire Act. The Wire Act has been a tool for prosecuting certain gambling activities since 1961. Codified as 18 U.S.C. § 1084, the Wire Act states that: Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering…

The DEA just announced that law enforcement officers have arrested hundreds of people, including 22 doctors and pharmacists, in connection with “Operation Pilluted.” This DEA investigation targeted alleged “pill mills” where physicians were supposedly over-prescribing pain medication including Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. Although the DEA and Department of Justice have been prosecuting…

Federal law enforcement agents and the Department of Justice have brought another “pill mill” case against an Atlanta area physician, and he has hired us to help him fight these charges. Dr. Oscar J. Stokes is a well-trained and respected physician who has been practicing pain medicine for over ten years. Dr. Stokes is board-certified…