You don’t have to be an accountant to manage the books or finances of a business, but you do have to be good with numbers and organization. One mistake can usually be brushed off, but too many mistakes may raise some red flags, even if they’re genuine mistakes. The majority of white-collar crime accusations like fraud and embezzlement arise from consistent mistakes or lack of understanding. No one can be expected to know every single detail of every regulation at all times, so sometimes things get overlooked. That doesn’t mean you should have to spend time in prison or pay huge fines to “learn your lesson.” Let’s shed light on what embezzlement entails, how it can happen, and what steps you can take if you face embezzlement charges. 

Understanding Embezzlement

Embezzlement is a type of financial fraud in which someone entrusted with managing or handling another person’s money or assets unlawfully appropriates those funds for their personal use. Common scenarios include employees putting company funds in their personal account, financial advisors misusing clients’ investments, or executives diverting funds from their organizations.

The Road to Accusations

Embezzlement typically occurs through a series of steps, and requires the accused to manipulate financial records or create false transactions to avoid being discovered. The goal is to take as much money as possible without getting caught. You should note, however, that this means that there has to be intentionality behind these actions. 

If taken to court, the prosecution needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant willfully committed embezzlement. Accusations of embezzlement can arise from a range of circumstances, many of which may not involve actual criminal intent. These include:

Accounting Errors: Innocent mistakes in financial records can sometimes lead to suspicions of embezzlement. Misplaced digits, incorrect entries, or miscalculations can create a false impression of bad faith bookkeeping.

Lack of Oversight: Weak internal controls, like audits, within an organization can provide opportunities for embezzlement. An employee might be accused due to lax management and insufficient checks and balances that can lead to employees being set up for failure or even framed.

Miscommunication: Personal rivalries, office politics, or conflicts can lead to false accusations. Even a simple misunderstanding between an employee and their employer can sometimes escalate into embezzlement accusations.

Unintentional Involvement: In some cases, individuals may be unknowingly involved in a larger fraudulent scheme orchestrated by someone else.

Taking Control of Your Situation

It’s not always possible to completely prevent accusations, so if you find yourself accused of embezzlement, it’s crucial not to panic. You can take proactive steps to protect your rights and reputation.Document Everything: Compile any relevant documentation that can support your case. This might include financial records, communication exchanges, or other evidence demonstrating your innocence or explaining any misunderstandings. Do not attempt to delete or destroy any documents–this could be considered suspicious whether the documents are “incriminating” or not.

Don’t Discuss The Case: Never discuss the details without an attorney present. Even if it seems like a casual meeting, anything you say can and will be used against you.

Experience matters when hiring your lawyer: Economic Crimes are different. These types of cases can be quite complex. It takes someone with experience and knowledge not only of the law but of accounting, ledgers, data entry points, corporate structure and controls, etc. Malcolm Anthony is a former Special Prosecutor of Economic Crimes. Since beginning his criminal defense practice, he has represented numerous economic crime clients over the years. Embezzlement allegations are serious, but accusations don’t mean you’re guilty of committing a crime. At the law firm of Malcolm Anthony, P.A., we’ll make sure your rights are protected and fight for your best interests. The path to a good defense starts with you. If you’ve been accused of fraudulent activity like embezzlement or are concerned that you might be in the future, call our office at (904) 285-4529 as soon as possible. We’re here to help!