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nyc criminal lawyers over 30 years of experienceWe Know How To Win Cases

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Faced 5+ Years in Prison

People Vs Joseph Amico

Covered by NYDaily News. Las Vegas man accused of threatening a prominent attorney and making vile remarks.

Faced 10+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Anna Sorokin

Covered by New York Times, and other outlets. Fake heiress accused of conning the city’s wealthy, and has an HBO special being made about her.

Faced 3+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Genevieve Sabourin

Accused of stalking Alec Baldwin. The case garnered nationwide attention, with USAToday, NYPost, and other media outlets following it closely.

Faced Potential Charges

Ghislaine Maxwell Juror

Juror who prompted calls for new Ghislaine Maxwell trial turns to lawyer who defended Anna Sorokin.

Why Choose Us

Clients can use our portal to track the status of their case, stay in touch with us, upload documents, and more.

Regardless of the type of situation you're facing, our attorneys are here to help you get quality representation.

We can setup consultations in person, over Zoom, or over the phone to help you. Bottom line, we're here to help you win your case.

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Meet Todd Spodek

WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

We’re selective about the clients we work with, and only take on cases we know align with our experience – and where we can make a difference. This is different from other law firms who are not invested in your success nor care about your outcome.

If you have a legal issue, call us for a consultation.
We are available 24/7, to help you with any – and all, challenges you face.

I’ve Been Accused of Money Laundering. What Happens Next?

Money laundering is a nefarious scheme, designed to conceal the identity, source, and destination of illegally obtained funds. It transforms “dirty” money into “clean” money, making it appear as if it came from legitimate sources. But make no mistake, the crime of money laundering is far from simple. According to the 2018 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment, an estimated $300 billion in proceeds from domestic financial crime, excluding tax evasion, is generated for potential laundering.

Money launderers use various instruments to conceal the illicit origins of their funds, such as life insurance policies, securities, and real estate. They also often use small-to-medium-size businesses that are cash-intensive, such as restaurants, bars, beauty salons, laundromats, used-car dealerships, and casinos. These establishments may have been legitimate businesses before they were purchased for the sole purpose of laundering money, with the unsuspecting former owners and staff remaining unaware of the illegal activity.

As stated in a 2019 Bloomberg News article, “it’s difficult to tell the difference between legitimate business and illicit flows from criminal activity.” Criminals depend on this, merging their illicit funds with those of real companies before they head to the bank. The crime of money laundering is a complex, multi-faceted, and ever-evolving problem that requires constant vigilance and effort to combat.

Facing money laundering charges can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. As you navigate this legal terrain, it’s crucial to understand that powerful federal agencies, such as the FBI, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and ICE, have likely been investigating your case for some time. These agencies will be looking for evidence of the “three stages” of money laundering as they build their case against you.

Placement, the first stage, involves moving illegally-gotten gains into a legitimate economy through means such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal gambling. Layering, the second stage, is the act of obscuring the origin of these funds through multiple financial transactions and methods such as “smurfing,” breaking down large amounts of cash into small deposits. Finally, integration is the process of putting the “clean” money back into the economy, such as through real estate purchases.

It’s important to note that financial institutions are also subject to strict regulations and scrutiny under laws such as the Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering regulations, as well as the USA Patriot Act. Even Bitcoin and blockchain transactions are under watch by the IRS.

As you navigate the legal system, it is crucial to work with a team of experienced attorneys who understand the complexities of money laundering cases and can help you mount the strongest defense possible. Don’t let the gravity of the situation weigh you down, take action and protect your rights.

What happens next, after being accused of money laundering

Have you ever heard of a money mule? They are individuals who illicitly transfer or move money on behalf of others, often for the purpose of money laundering. These criminal masterminds prey on unsuspecting individuals, recruiting them to help launder the proceeds of their illegal activities such as online scams, frauds, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

Money mules add layers of distance between crime victims and criminals, making it incredibly difficult for law enforcement to trace money trails and bring these criminals to justice. They can move funds through various channels, such as bank accounts, cashier’s checks, virtual currency, prepaid debit cards, or money service businesses.

It’s crucial to understand that not all money mules are aware that they are supporting criminal enterprises. Some may believe they have a trusting or romantic relationship with the person asking for their help, while others may receive a commission for their services. However, regardless of their intent, serving as a money mule is illegal and punishable by law.

The consequences of being a money mule are severe. You could face prosecution and incarceration as part of a criminal money laundering conspiracy, with federal charges such as mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Furthermore, serving as a money mule can damage your credit and financial standing, and you risk having your own personal information stolen and used by the criminals you are working for. You may also be held personally liable for repaying money lost by victims.

Don’t be fooled by the allure of easy money, the risks and consequences are simply not worth it. If you find yourself moving money at the direction of another person, it’s essential to question their intentions and avoid becoming a pawn in their illegal activities.

Money laundering is a sinister and elusive crime, where illicit funds are cunningly laundered through a web of financial transactions in order to conceal their illegal origin. The practice of disguising the proceeds of criminal activity as legitimate funds is not only a federal offense, but a serious threat to the integrity of our financial system. The federal government has the power to prosecute individuals for money laundering, even if they were unaware of the illegal source of the funds, under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, 1957.

The scope of “specified unlawful activity” is broad, encompassing a wide range of underlying crimes such as drug trafficking, bribery, gambling, counterfeiting, theft, embezzlement, and fraud, as well as violent crimes like murder, robbery, and arson. Prosecutors have a relatively low burden of proof when it comes to demonstrating that money constitutes proceeds from a specified unlawful activity, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(9).

Unfortunately, ignorance is not always bliss when it comes to money laundering, as federal law permits the government to prosecute individuals who exhibit “willful blindness” to the source of the funds. This often-disputed issue can arise in many money laundering cases and can lead to severe penalties, including substantial prison sentences and hefty fines, as well as asset forfeiture, where the government can seize real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and other assets belonging to the accused.

If you or someone you know has been accused of money laundering, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect your rights. The first step is to retain an experienced attorney who can provide expert legal guidance and help prepare a defense. It is also essential to keep the lines of communication open with your attorney and to refrain from discussing the case with anyone else, as the attorney-client privilege protects the privacy of communications between you and your legal counsel.

In addition, it is important to be proactive in your defense by providing your attorney with access to documents and information concerning your business activities. Having access to relevant financial records can be extremely valuable in an accounting of the allegedly illegal financial transactions. Remember, being accused of money laundering is a serious matter, and taking the necessary steps to protect yourself can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

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Testimonials

I was searching for a law firm with some power to help me deal with a warrant in New York . After 6 days I decided to go with Spodek Law Group. It helped that This law firm is well respected by not only the top law firms in New York , but the DA , Judge as well. I...

~Fonder Brandon

5 Stars
It was my good fortune to retain Spodek Law Group for representation for my legal needs. From the beginning, communication was prompt and thorough. Todd, Kenneth and Alex were the first people I worked with and they all made me, and my company Qumana skincare feel comfortable and confident that the team was going to work hard for me. Everything...

~A G

5 Stars
After meeting with several law firms, I chose the Spodek Law Group not only for their professionalism and experience, but for the personal attention given to me right from the initial consultation. It is important to recognize how crucial having the right legal team is when faced with potentially life altering events that impact families and the lives of loved...

~George Cherubini

Spodek Law Group

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We Provide Superior Service, Excellent Results, At A Level Superior To Other Criminal Defense Law Firms. Regardless Of Where Your Case Is, Nationwide, We Can Help You.
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