Houston Ponzi Schemes Lawyer

Skilled Federal Ponzi Scheme Lawyer Serving Clients In Houston, TX

houston ponzi schemes lawyerIf you are being investigated for committing a Ponzi or Pyramid Scheme or if you have been charged with such a crime then you need experienced attorney James Alston to represent you.

Ponzi schemes or pyramid schemes are a type of investment fraud that has made international headlines because of the financial devastation they can have caused to unsuspecting investors. Ponzi schemes are named after Charles Ponzi, who famously defrauded thousands of people out of money on a “get rich quick” scheme. A Houston Ponzi Schemes Lawyer at the Law Office of James Alston is here to help you.

Because of this crime’s notoriety, allegations of running a Ponzi scheme or Pyramid-scheme can result in significant prison time.

Penalties For A Federal Ponzi Scheme

A federal prosecutor can pursue multiple federal charges if they suspect someone is involved in a federal Ponzi scheme. For example, criminal charges can be filed for securities fraud, investment adviser fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, making false statements, perjury, making false filings with the SEC, and theft from an employee benefit plan. If convicted charges can carry penalty ranges of five (5) to thirty (30) years in prison sentence, significant fines, and restitution.

Federal Ponzi schemes, named for infamous Boston swindler Charles Ponzi, are “an investment scheme that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors.” Generally, Ponzi schemes involve investment schemes that promise the yield of high returns with low risk but actually generate little to no profit. The underlying business or investment opportunity may or may not be legitimate. A successful Ponzi scheme requires a constant influx of money by new investors to satisfy previous investors wishing to cash out.

Federal Ponzi Scheme Investigations

Ponzi schemes are investigated by a number of organizations including:

One of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history involved Bernie Madoff. Madoff was convicted of numerous counts of fraud and sentenced to 150 years in prison for orchestrating an investment scam amounting to $65 billion in losses to investors.

Defenses Against Ponzi Scheme Charges in Texas

Ponzi schemes or Pyramid promotional schemes are heavily prosecuted in the State of Texas. There are several defenses available in investment fraud cases involving an alleged Ponzi or pyramid-scheme including that there was an actual product sold, that compensation was paid for the time and effort spent in pursuit of a sale or in a recruiting activity, and that you lacked the requisite intent necessary to commit the crime.

If you are being investigated or charged in a Ponzi scheme or related investment fraud scandal, you need to find experienced representation. You could face a felony conviction and significant prison time. Criminal Defense Attorney James Alston understands how serious Pyramid-scheme cases are investigated and charged, and he will fight to protect your rights and freedom.

As a former state prosecutor, he spent endless hours working on White-Collar Crime cases under the Major Fraud Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. After leaving the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, James Alston accepted a position as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas. James Alston’s unique training as both a state and federal prosecutor gives him unparalleled insight into how prosecutors and law enforcement officers investigate and prepare cases. Our Houston Ponzi Schemes Defense Lawyer is a zealous advocate for his clients and will not rest until he gets the best possible result for their case. Contact Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer James Alston at 713-228-1400 for a consultation.

Texas Business and Commerce Code § 17.461 – Pyramid Promotional Scheme

Texas law defines a pyramid promotional scheme under Section 17.461 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code as “a plan or operation by which a person gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from a person’s introduction of other persons to participate in the plan or operation rather than from the sale of a product by a person introduced into the plan or operation.”

Defending Against State and Federal Ponzi Scheme Charges: Houston Ponzi Schemes Lawyer

If you are being investigated for involvement in a federal Ponzi scheme in Houston, Texas, you need to retain a knowledgeable Houston criminal defense lawyer immediately. Attorney James Alston is a former Harris County District Attorney and a former federal prosecutor. During his time as a state prosecutor, Mr. Alston was assigned to the Major Fraud Division. His experience in the major fraud division makes him uniquely qualified to defend fraud and other white-collar crimes successfully. Contact Criminal Defense Attorney James Alston today at (713) 228-1400 to schedule a consultation.