Arizona White Collar Crime Lawyers

Quick answer: White collar crimes are non-violent, financially motivated offenses, including fraudulent schemes (A.R.S. § 13-2310), theft and embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, and identity theft. Most are felonies, and fraudulent schemes is a Class 2 felony, Arizona’s second-most-serious class. These cases turn on intent and a paper trail, are often investigated for months by the Attorney General or County Attorney before any charge, and are frequently won during the investigation, before an indictment, by getting counsel involved early.

Key Takeaways

• White collar crimes are non-violent financial offenses: fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, and identity theft.
• Fraudulent schemes and artifices (A.R.S. § 13-2310) is a Class 2 felony, regardless of the dollar amount involved.
• For theft and most fraud, the dollar value drives the felony class, from a Class 6 up to a Class 2.
• These cases hinge on intent, the State must prove you acted knowingly to defraud, not that you made a mistake or a bad business decision.
• White collar investigations often run for months. A target letter, grand jury subpoena, or document request means the time to act is now, before charges.
• Restitution and early, credible mitigation can keep many first-time financial cases out of prison.
• Your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou, available 24/7 at 623-321-4699.

On This Page

Whatever you are facing or being investigated for, call now for a confidential consultation.

Fraudulent Schemes & Artifices, A.R.S. § 13-2310

This is Arizona’s flagship fraud statute. It makes it a crime to knowingly obtain any benefit by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, or material omissions, pursuant to a scheme or artifice. It is a Class 2 felony regardless of the amount, putting it on the same sentencing tier as many violent offenses. Because it is so broad, prosecutors charge it constantly, and because it requires proof of intent to defraud, it is highly defensible.

Theft & Embezzlement, A.R.S. § 13-1802

Theft, including embezzlement by someone in a position of trust, is graded by the value involved, from a Class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000 up to a Class 2 felony at $25,000 or more. Establishing the true loss amount, often far lower than alleged, can reduce the felony class and the exposure. Restitution is frequently central to resolving these cases.

Money Laundering, A.R.S. § 13-2317

Money laundering covers conducting transactions with funds you know are the proceeds of crime. It is charged in three degrees, from a Class 2 down to a Class 6, depending on the conduct, and is often stacked on top of a fraud or theft count. The State must prove knowledge of the illicit source, which is frequently the weakest part of its case.

Identity Theft & Forgery, A.R.S. §§ 13-2008, 13-2002

Identity theft (knowingly using another person’s identifying information) is a Class 4 felony, with aggravated identity theft (A.R.S. § 13-2009) a Class 3 and trafficking in identities (A.R.S. § 13-2010) a Class 2. Forgery (A.R.S. § 13-2002), falsifying a written instrument with intent to defraud, is a Class 4 felony. In cyber cases, the digital evidence often does not prove who actually acted.

State vs. Federal & the Investigation

White collar conduct can be charged by the Arizona Attorney General or a County Attorney, or, in larger or interstate matters, federally. Either way, these cases usually begin with a quiet investigation, a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or a document request, before any charge. Getting counsel involved in that window is the most important step you can take. Learn more about our criminal defense practice.

1. 1A scheme or artifice to defraud. A plan or course of conduct intended to deceive, not a single innocent mistake.
2. 2Knowingly. You acted with knowledge and intent to defraud, the central, and most contested, element.
3. 3Obtained a benefit. You actually obtained money, property, or some advantage.
4. 4By means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, or material omissions. The benefit was obtained through deception, not a legitimate transaction or dispute.

Examples of Conduct Charged as Fraudulent Schemes

• Inflating invoices or billing for work never performed
• Running an investment or Ponzi scheme
• Submitting false insurance, mortgage, or loan applications
• Embezzling funds from an employer and concealing it
• Using deception to obtain credit, benefits, or property

⚠ Restitution Can Be the Whole Case

In financial cases, Arizona courts order full restitution of the alleged loss. Used strategically, a credible restitution plan, paired with mitigation, can move a first-time case from prison to probation, and sometimes support a reduction in charges. Establishing the true loss amount is therefore both a sentencing and a charging defense.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond prison and restitution, a white collar felony brings a permanent record, loss of professional and occupational licenses (CPA, real estate, securities, healthcare, law), loss of civil and firearm rights, immigration consequences for non-citizens, and lasting damage to employment and reputation. Protecting your license and your record is often as important as avoiding jail.

After reviewing your case, we will explain which defenses apply and the best path forward.

While the case is still an investigation, we can meet with prosecutors, present a forensic-accounting rebuttal, show that a dispute is civil rather than criminal, and negotiate restitution, sometimes resulting in no charges at all, or a far lesser charge than the State first contemplated. Once an indictment is returned, those options narrow. The sooner Michael Tamou is involved, the more we can do.

We build mitigation packages that include an independent loss analysis, a structured restitution proposal, a complete personal and professional history, lack of prior record, community and family ties, and a proportionality review of comparable Arizona cases. Presented early and credibly, mitigation gives prosecutors and the court a reason to favor probation over prison, to protect a professional license, and sometimes to reduce the charge itself.

Our reputation is built on results and on our clients’ words, a 5.0-star Google rating from people we have actually defended. Read them in the reviews below.

Clients reach us searching in many ways, for the best white collar crime lawyer in Arizona, for a fraud defense attorney in Arizona, or for an embezzlement, money laundering, or identity theft lawyer. However you found us, Tamou Law Group defends white collar and financial-crime cases across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, and all of Maricopa County, with representation statewide and in federal matters, including a dedicated Phoenix white collar defense team. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.