Embezzlement is a serious and all too common offense in Philadelphia. A conviction can mean prison, fines, and other penalties depending on the nature of the crime. Embezzlement is known as a white collar crime but is more specifically classified as financial theft, and as such -- for many of you at least -- you may find your employment in danger, your reputation in danger, not to mention many other collateral consequences.
A good defense is necessary. A good defense is a strategic, thoughtful, and aggressive defense that results in either a plea deal in your favor or acquittal at trial. A good defense requires an experienced and resourceful Philadelphia embezzlement defense attorney. At Lento Law Firm, we commit ourselves to your defense and pursue all angles of your case. Here, we provide an overview of what embezzlement is and how to contact us so we can get started on your case.
What constitutes embezzlement in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania embezzlement is a type of property theft. To commit the offense, a person:
- is in a position of trust or authority;
- has access or somehow manages another person's or entity's assets; and
- abuses that trust to steal the assets for personal gain.
Examples can include any of the following scenarios:
- You are an investment manager and are accused of taking a client's money for yourself.
- You are an employer and are accused of exploiting company assets for your own gain.
- You are a store clerk and are accused of taking money from transactions or the cash register.
- You are a payroll clerk and are accused of creating fake employees and taking the fake employees' wages.
One thing to note about embezzlement is that the assets can be stolen all in one act or via several acts over a period of time.
What are the potential penalties of embezzlement in Philadelphia?
If you are convicted of embezzlement in Philadelphia, you can expect possible jail or prison and fines, among other penalties -- it is all dependent on the circumstances of the crime. The greater the value of the property embezzled, the higher the fine is likely to be and the longer the incarceration sentence is to be. There could also be aggravating factors, like:
- committing the crime as a hate crime (i.e., you embezzled money from someone due to his or her race, religion, or other protected status);
- committing the crime to or in front of a minor; or
- possessing prior offenses.
The below table identifies what kind of sentence to expect given the value of the property stolen or special circumstances.
|
Property Value |
Incarceration Maximum |
Fine Maximum |
|
< $50 |
1 year in jail |
$2,500 |
|
> $50 and ≤ $200 |
2 years in prison |
$5,000 |
|
> $200 and ≤ $2,000 |
5 years in prison |
$10,000 |
|
> $2,000 |
7 years in prison |
$15,000 |
Special penalties are also imposed if the crime of embezzlement is allegedly committed during a disaster (e.g., manmade, war, or natural). If the latter is proven, then you could face substantially longer periods in prison (up to 10 years) and a larger fine (up to $25,000).
Contact an Experienced Philadelphia Embezzlement Attorney Today
An embezzlement charge is a serious matter in Philadelphia. Our financial theft defense legal team headed by Joseph D. Lento is experienced and committed. Contact Joseph D. Lento today either online or at 215-535-5353.
