If you face money laundering charges in Wisconsin, the decisions you make now may significantly affect your future. Money laundering is a serious federal and state crime that can carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. Hart Powell represents individuals and businesses facing money laundering investigations and charges. Our team includes attorneys who defend against financial crime allegations. Daniel Sanders spent 20 years as an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting federal crimes. This background offers insight into how prosecutors may build these cases and how their evidence can be challenged.
Why Choose Hart Powell for Your Money Laundering Defense
When your freedom is at stake, experience matters. Hart Powell brings decades of criminal defense experience to money laundering cases. Michael F. Hart, our Managing Partner, has handled serious felony cases for over 30 years. He has received recognition in Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. Craig Powell, our partner, has achieved multiple appellate victories and has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers. Daniel Sanders brings 20 years of federal prosecution experience as a former Assistant United States Attorney.
Our team has tried over 300 felony cases and represented clients facing serious criminal charges. We have obtained acquittals, dismissals, and negotiated plea agreements in financial crime cases. We understand criminal law and financial regulations and work to identify potential weaknesses in the government’s case. When you work with Hart Powell, you get attorneys who have stood on both sides of the courtroom and are familiar with prosecutorial strategy. Review Hart Powell’s case results to see examples of successful outcomes.
Understanding Wisconsin Money Laundering Laws
Wisconsin law addresses money laundering under Wisconsin Statute § 943.895. The statute makes it illegal to knowingly receive, acquire, or conduct a transaction involving proceeds that you know come from unlawful activity. A key element prosecutors must prove is that you knew the money came from illegal activity.
Under Wisconsin law, money laundering charges can depend on the amount involved. Transactions involving $2,500 to $10,000 may carry different penalties than those involving $100,000 or more. Generally, the larger the amount, the more severe the potential sentence. Wisconsin courts may also consider whether you attempted to conceal the source of the funds or structure transactions to avoid detection.
Money laundering charges often accompany other crimes. You might face charges for the underlying illegal activity—such as drug trafficking or fraud—along with separate money laundering charges. This can increase your legal exposure. Your defense strategy should address all charges at the same time. Hart Powell has experience defending financial crime cases across Wisconsin.
Federal Money Laundering Charges and Penalties
Federal money laundering prosecutions can carry harsher penalties than state charges. Federal law allows prosecutors to allege money laundering when the proceeds involve federal crimes. Federal charges may also apply when transactions cross state lines or involve financial institutions. Federal money laundering convictions can carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $500,000, or both. In some cases, the court may impose fines equal to double the value of the money involved in the alleged laundering scheme.
Federal cases often involve different investigative agencies than state prosecutions. The FBI, DEA, IRS, and Secret Service may investigate federal money laundering cases. These agencies use financial tracking tools and can subpoena bank records, wire transfer documentation, and transaction histories. Federal prosecutors generally have access to substantial resources and often bring cases when they believe they have strong evidence.
The distinction between state and federal prosecution can matter significantly for your defense strategy. Federal cases move through different courts with different rules and procedures. Federal judges handle these cases, and federal sentencing guidelines may apply. Understanding whether you face state or federal charges—or both—is important in developing a defense. Hart Powell’s federal crime defense team has extensive experience navigating these complex proceedings.
Common Defenses to Money Laundering Charges
Lack of knowledge can be a central defense to money laundering charges. Prosecutors must prove you knew the money came from illegal activity. If you received funds without knowing their source, or if you reasonably believed the funds were legitimate, this defense may apply. The government must prove your knowledge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Insufficient evidence of unlawful activity is another possible defense. Money laundering requires that the underlying activity be illegal. If prosecutors cannot prove the source activity was actually unlawful, the money laundering charge may not stand. We examine the evidence supporting the alleged predicate crime carefully. This is a critical component of money laundering defense.
Procedural violations in the investigation can affect whether evidence is admissible. If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation—such as conducting an illegal search, seizing property without a proper warrant, or infringing on your right to counsel—we can seek to suppress that evidence. Suppressing key evidence can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.
We also review financial transaction documentation closely. Bank records, wire transfers, and transaction logs often form the backbone of money laundering prosecutions. We examine these documents for accuracy, inconsistencies, and alternative explanations. In some situations, transactions that appear suspicious may have legitimate explanations. Challenging evidence is a key component of financial crime defense.
Money Laundering and Related Charges
Money laundering charges rarely stand alone. Prosecutors often charge money laundering alongside the underlying crime that generated the proceeds. If you face drug trafficking charges, you may also face money laundering charges for handling the alleged drug proceeds. If you face fraud charges, money laundering charges may follow.
This layering of charges can increase your exposure. For example, a drug trafficking conviction might carry a 10-year sentence, while money laundering could add additional years of potential imprisonment. The charges can interact, and a conviction on one may influence the prosecution’s approach to the other. Your defense strategy should address all related charges together. Understanding federal drug trafficking charges is essential if you face both drug and money laundering allegations.
Bank and mail fraud can accompany money laundering charges. These offenses allege that you used financial institutions or the mail system to further the scheme. Healthcare fraud and insurance fraud can also lead to money laundering investigations. Understanding how these charges connect helps us develop a defense strategy that looks at the prosecution’s entire case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between money laundering and fraud?
Fraud involves deceiving someone to obtain money or property. Money laundering involves taking money you know came from illegal activity and making it appear legitimate. You can commit fraud without money laundering, and you can launder money without committing fraud. However, prosecutors often charge both crimes together. Fraud focuses on how you obtained the money; money laundering focuses on what you did with it after obtaining it. Learn more about fraud defense.
Can I be charged with money laundering if I didn’t know the money was illegal?
Wisconsin law requires that you knowingly receive or conduct transactions involving proceeds you know came from unlawful activity. If you did not know the money was illegal, that can be a defense to money laundering. However, prosecutors may argue you should have known or that you deliberately avoided learning the truth. We examine the evidence to show you lacked the required knowledge. This is a critical element in money laundering defense.
What should I do if I’m under investigation for money laundering?
You should stop financial transactions related to the investigation and avoid speaking with investigators without an attorney present. Do not attempt to move money or destroy documents. Contact Hart Powell as soon as possible. Early involvement in an investigation may, in some situations, influence how the case proceeds. We can communicate with investigators on your behalf and work to protect your rights during this period.
How long do money laundering cases typically take?
Federal money laundering cases can take 1 to 5 years from investigation to resolution, depending on case complexity, the number of transactions involved, and whether the case proceeds to trial or resolves through a plea agreement. State cases may move faster. The timeline depends on the complexity of the financial transactions, the number of defendants, and whether the case goes to trial. We work to resolve cases efficiently while protecting your interests.
What are the collateral consequences of a money laundering conviction?
Beyond prison time and fines, a money laundering conviction can create lasting consequences. You may lose professional licenses, including law, medical, or securities licenses. Employment can become more difficult because many employers conduct background checks and may be reluctant to hire someone with a felony conviction. You may lose the right to possess firearms. Immigration consequences can apply if you are not a U.S. citizen. Asset forfeiture may also occur, meaning the government seizes property it alleges is connected to the crime. We discuss potential consequences during your consultation.
Contact Hart Powell for Your Defense
Money laundering charges require prompt attention and informed legal guidance. The sooner you contact Hart Powell, the sooner we can begin working to protect your rights. Call (414) 271-9595 or contact us online today to schedule a confidential consultation. We represent clients throughout Wisconsin in state and federal money laundering cases and are available to discuss your situation and explain your options.