Money laundering is a multi-step process – because it takes a lot to make illegal funds appear legitimate.  Among the various techniques used by criminals, “smurfing” is a common tactic employed to evade detection and launder large sums of money. How does smurfing work? The term “smurfing” originates from the animated characters known for their small size and cooperative nature, reflecting the collaborative efforts of individuals involved in this illegal activity. Smurfing involves structuring transactions so that they avoid triggering mandatory reporting requirements by financial institu ..read more

With its vast coastline and proximity to Mexico, California is a major entry point for people seeking to enter the United States. While some individuals navigate the immigration process legally, others resort to dangerous and illegal methods facilitated by alien smugglers. For California residents, it’s helpful to understand what alien smuggling is, the methods employed by smugglers and the legal repercussions for those caught. What is alien smuggling Alien smuggling, also known as human smuggling, is the illegal transportation of individuals across international borders. Smugglers often targe ..read more

In California, marijuana, use has long been legal, at least for medical purposes. It is also legal for recreational purposes in 2024, in a trend that is spreading across the United States. More and more states are legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and you can find them as far away as Colorado, Michigan, Illinois and even Maine. One thing that is interesting about these changes, though, is that the federal government still bans the sale and use of marijuana. It has been restricted along with other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. The federal government has had this stance for decades ..read more

California has a law in place regarding cannabis use by employees when they are off the clock. AB 2188, provides significant protections for workers who use cannabis after work hours and restricts employers from questioning previous users of the drug. Most employers are not allowed to take any negative actions, such as firing, refusing to hire or demoting an employee based on their personal cannabis usage as a result of this law. However, employers may continue to impose drug-free work expectations. Pre-employment drug tests that detect psychotropic cannabis metabolites can still be conducted ..read more

Large sums of money from illegal sources can’t be used without attracting government attention until it’s been sufficiently “cleaned” and its origins are hidden. The real estate industry is, unfortunately, one of the biggest targets for money laundering.  Real estate professionals can be unwitting pawns to money laundering operations, especially where straw purchases are concerned. That makes it particularly important for realtors to know how to spot the difference between a legal straw purchase and one that is suspect. What’s a straw purchase? A straw purchase is where one person purchas ..read more

Money laundering charges are serious allegations that can result severe legal consequences. When facing such charges, individuals or entities may explore various defenses to challenge the allegations against them. The following are potential defenses that could be utilized when facing money laundering charges, depending on the nature of the situation at hand. Lack of intent One of the primary defenses against money laundering charges is to argue lack of intent. To secure a conviction for money laundering, prosecutors must demonstrate that the defendant knowingly engaged in financial transactio ..read more

Money laundering is a serious concern for federal regulatory authorities. Money laundering involves obfuscating the origins of capital, often because people violated the law to make money. Many organized criminal efforts involving drugs or human trafficking need to launder their money to use it for major purchases. Those involved in terrorism also try to hide where they get their money and how they use it. Money laundering may involve passing funds through an intermediary business as a way to confuse others and hide the true origins of those resources. Despite numerous laws prohibiting money l ..read more

Transactions in business happen every single day, and this includes the sale of actual businesses. For the most part, these deals go through smoothly and are beneficial to all parties.  However, this isn’t always the case. The integrity of any business deal relies on all parties having access to accurate financial information. In some cases, the finances may be misrepresented.  What is misrepresentation in business transactions and when does it become fraudulent?  Innocent errors  Just because someone has been given inaccurate financial information, this doesn’t mean they h ..read more

Cannabis companies have many regulations to ensure they comply with. Because this is such a new type of business venture that’s still subjected to a lot of controversy and scrutiny, they must ensure they protect themselves. There are a few ways they can do this. Whether they’re a brand new company or one that’s established, these points can help to minimize the chance of a legal issue. Consider the business structure  The business structure plays a primary role in protecting it. Setting the business up as a limited liability company places a barrier between the company and the owner. If t ..read more

A shell company is a legal entity that has been established but that doesn’t actually operate as a business. It may not own any assets. It may not have any employees. It may not have any business contracts or revenue. It is a company in name only, and it exists on paper. Creating a shell company is not illegal. There are legitimate reasons why these can be used and they sometimes are. But many shell companies are created specifically to engage in illegal activity, such as money laundering. How would this be beneficial? The reason that people use shell companies in this way is that they need to ..read more