Money Laundering

Orlando Money Laundering Defense

Former Prosecutors Analyze the Records Behind Money Laundering Allegations

Money laundering accusations often turn on what financial records show and what a person allegedly knew or intended. At Ali & Blankner, we bring a former-prosecutor perspective to complex state and federal financial crime matters. We examine whether the evidence supports the government’s interpretation of the transactions.

An investigation may focus on the source, movement, ownership, control, or intended use of money or property connected to alleged illegal conduct. Account records, transfers, transaction histories, and communications can all become significant evidence. We assess these materials in the context of the specific conduct the government claims was illegal.

Discuss an investigation or charge directly with our attorneys. Call (407) 753-1312 for a free, confidential consultation about money laundering defense in Orlando.

Conduct That Can Lead to Money Laundering Charges

Florida’s Money Laundering Act prohibits conducting or attempting certain financial transactions while knowing the property represents proceeds of illegal conduct. The allegation must also involve a prohibited intent, such as promoting illegal activity, concealing the source or ownership of proceeds, or avoiding a transaction reporting requirement.

Money laundering investigations may examine allegations involving:

Promotion of unlawful activity: Using criminal proceeds in a transaction intended to continue or advance alleged illegal conduct.
Concealment: Moving or structuring funds to disguise their source, ownership, location, control, or nature.
Reporting evasion: Conducting a transaction with the alleged intent to avoid a state or federal reporting requirement.

Federal allegations may involve laundering monetary instruments or conducting transactions with criminally derived property, meaning property obtained through an alleged crime. The applicable law depends on the conduct, transaction value, jurisdiction, and evidence of criminal intent.

Potential Money Laundering Penalties Under Florida & Federal Law

Penalty exposure depends on the statute charged, transaction amounts, criminal history, and other case-specific circumstances. A conviction may carry incarceration, substantial fines, civil penalties, or asset forfeiture.

Under Florida Statute 896.101, transaction totals within a 12-month period determine the felony degree:

More than $300 but less than $20,000 may constitute a third-degree felony.
$20,000 to less than $100,000 may constitute a second-degree felony.
$100,000 or more may constitute a first-degree felony.

Florida Statute 896.101 authorizes a criminal fine of up to $250,000 or twice the value of the transactions, whichever is greater. Second or subsequent violations carry higher potential fine limits. The statute also authorizes a civil penalty of up to $25,000 or the value of the transactions, whichever is greater.

Under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, a money laundering conviction can carry up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1957, a transaction involving more than $10,000 in criminally derived property can carry up to 10 years of imprisonment.

A federal conspiracy charge can carry the same penalties as the underlying laundering offense. Federal cases may also involve forfeiture, through which the government seeks property allegedly traceable to the offense. The exact exposure must be assessed from the charged statute and the facts of the individual case.

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Why You Want Ali & Blankner In Your Corner

Fighters & Advocates in the Courtroom

The criminal lawyers in Orlando at Ali & Blankner are aggressive advocates who are willing to do whatever it takes to obtain a favorable resolution. We are committed to defending your rights and protecting your future.
Prosecutor Insight & Knowledge

All of our Orlando criminal attorneys are former prosecutors and understand how the other side thinks. When you work with our team, you get a group of individuals who knows how to prepare and fight a winning case.

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Our criminal defense team in Orlando understands the ins and out of the legal industry, and we have the infrastructure and resources to handle any case that comes our way. We focus on your case specifically to ensure we get the best result for you.
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With over 35 years of experience and thousands of clients helped, Ali & Blankner has the skills, resources, and determination to get you the best possible result.

Financial Case Analysis Led by Former Prosecutors

Every attorney at our firm is a former prosecutor. That background helps us evaluate how prosecutors may assemble transaction records, communications, and allegations of concealment into a criminal case. We then examine whether the evidence supports the government’s interpretation and establishes the required knowledge and intent.

Our firm has operated since 1986, and our attorneys have more than 85 years of combined legal experience. We’ve represented more than 100,000 clients in complex criminal cases. For allegations involving extensive financial data, we work with forensic accountants and technical consultants. Clients also have direct access to their attorney throughout the representation.

How Orlando Money Laundering Cases Reach State or Federal Court

We handle financial crime cases that may proceed in Florida state court or federal court. State-level cases affecting Orlando may proceed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. The charging authority, alleged conduct, and applicable statute determine jurisdiction rather than whether the allegations are ultimately proven.

Interstate conduct, federal interests, or alleged offenses investigated by federal agencies can create federal jurisdiction. Matters arising in the Orlando area may proceed in the Orlando Division of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse serves as the named federal courthouse for that division.

Speak with an Attorney About the Investigation

We offer free, confidential consultations for people facing a money laundering investigation, target letter, subpoena, or criminal charge. Consultations are available by phone or through our contact form, and you can discuss your circumstances directly with an attorney.

Get a clear assessment of the allegations and your legal options. Call (407) 753-1312 to speak with Ali & Blankner about money laundering defense in Orlando.

Target Letters, Subpoenas & Investigator Contact

A target letter is formal notice from the U.S. Attorney’s Office that a person is a focus of a criminal investigation. Its significance depends on the allegations, available evidence, jurisdiction, and stage of the investigation. Receiving one doesn’t establish guilt or mean that a particular charge is inevitable.

A grand jury subpoena for financial records signals an active federal investigation and formally demands specified records or testimony. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and federal prosecutors may participate in these investigations. Federal prosecutors often work with the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation division when examining financial activity.

A criminal financial investigation may begin with document requests and analysis of account activity and communications before charging decisions or court proceedings. The meaning of investigator contact or a subpoena depends on who issued it, what records are sought, and how the request relates to the alleged transactions.

Defense Issues in Money Laundering Investigations

A defense strategy depends on the financial transactions, records, communications, and investigative conduct involved. We examine what a person knew, intended, and did rather than treating the movement of money alone as proof of a crime.

Depending on the facts, our review may address:

Lack of criminal intent: Whether the evidence proves knowledge of unlawful proceeds and the intent required by the charged statute.
Insufficient evidence: Whether records and communications support the government’s interpretation of the transactions.
Entrapment: Whether government conduct improperly induced an offense that the person wasn’t predisposed to commit.
Unlawful search and seizure: Whether investigators obtained financial records or other evidence in violation of constitutional protections.
Good-faith reliance: Whether the person relied honestly on advice from counsel or accounting professionals.

No defense theory applies automatically. Each issue must be evaluated against the charged law, available financial evidence, and methods investigators used to collect that evidence.

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