Public corruption charges are almost exclusively lodged against politicians and government officials. As if the shame of an indictment weren’t enough, the potential consequences can be severe, including prison and large fines.

The initial investigations may arise within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Ongoing investigations may require the FBI to partner with other agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and even the US Postal Inspection Service may take part in the investigations. The IRS, SEC, and FEC may impose civil penalties. However, criminal prosecution will come from the Justice Department and local United States attorney offices.

At Bajoka Law Group, we have experience representing public officials, and understand the complexities involved. We get to know our clients and develop strategies toward reaching their goals. It should go without saying that our main priority is to minimize or avoid prison time, but there can be a myriad of other considerations as well. Clients charged with public corruption may be concerned about their own family, their reputation, career, criminal record, and the potential seizure of money, property and personal belongings. Edward Bajoka and his team of professionals work closely with clients to ensure the best possible outcomes.

If you have been charged with public corruption, you need a top defense firm. Our criminal defense attorneys, led by Attorney Edward Bajoka, are the best of the best. Call us at (844) 4BAJOKA today for a consultation.

There are a number of specific charges that can fall under the umbrella of public corruption allegations, including:

Receiving Bribe by Public Official

Receiving Illegal Gratuity by a Public Official

Theft of Government Money or Property

Filing False Campaign Reports

Threatening Harm to Try to Obstruct Commerce

Getting Paid for False Invoices

Accepting or Giving Kickbacks to Secure Project Approval

Embezzlement

Racketeering

Perjury

White Collar Crimes

Every case is different, so you need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney to evaluate the potential defenses in order to develop a winning strategy. It is imperative to get a defense attorney on your side as soon as possible. Early intervention can stop an already big problem from ballooning.

Due to the tremendous impact public corruption has on democracy and national security, federal agencies and investigators take this type of offense very seriously. Public corruption is one of the most heavily investigated federal offenses and those suspected of this crime may be monitored for a long period of time before charges are ever formally filed.
Possible punishments for public corruption include the following:

Prison: Giving or receiving an illegal gratuity can result in a two-year sentence for each offense. A bribery conviction can lead to 15 years in prison. Conviction under RICO can lead to a 20-year prison sentence. As you can see, many options are on the table in terms of potential prison sentences for a public corruption conviction.

Probation: Probation is an alternative to jail that a judge can sentence someone for a public corruption conviction. As part of the probation, the offender will have to follow certain guidelines, may have to submit for drug or alcohol screening, and will have an assigned probation agent that they will need to stay in close contact with. Violations of probation can result in lengthy prison sentences.

Restitution: A judge can order an offender to pay back the money improperly obtained due to their illegal activity. This number can easily end up in the millions of dollars.

Fines: Anyone convicted of a public corruption offense is subject to hefty fines. A RICO conviction can lead to a $250,000 fine. A conviction under the Travel Act can also lead to a $250,000 fine. With multiple counts, it is easy to see how these fines can easily end up in the millions of dollars.

Other: A public corruption conviction can result in forfeitures of both money and property as well as loss of governmental position.

It is important to note that prosecutors don’t just charge somebody with public corruption. They can use a wide range of different offenses. They have the Hobbs Act under 18 U.S.C. 1951. They also will use all types of different U.S. Codes, such as the RICO Act to charge someone they believe is involved with some form of public corruption. A federal prosecutor will review the facts and circumstances surrounding their conduct that will determine what type of criminal charges they will pursue against them.

A federal criminal case, such as a public corruption investigation functions like all other federal criminal investigations. The pretrial and trial process in a federal court will function the same against a high profile individual as it would for a low-level drug dealer. However, there are some unique aspects to public corruption cases. Some of the federal statutes are somewhat different and you need to consult with a federal criminal defense lawyer like Edward Bajoka for more information.

Any time a public official or political figure is accused of deceptive behavior there is a lot at stake. Your reputation, your livelihood, and possibly even the safety of you and your family could be at risk when accused of public corruption. From the investigation, to the grand jury indictment, to the trial, the federal criminal defense lawyers at Bajoka Law will be beside you every step of the way, providing the aggressive representation you will need to fight against accusers, investigations, and prosecutors.

Most attorneys have never stepped foot in a federal courthouse, much less have actually been a part of a federal jury trial. Do you really want your case to be the first your attorney has actually defended in federal court? While the answer to that question might be easy, choosing the right attorney might not be as simple. The right attorney for a federal public corruption case is not someone looking to sign up every person that walks through their door. The right attorney for a federal public corruption case is one that has the proper experience, time, and resources to put into defending your case against the power of the government. The United States government has unlimited resources when it comes to investigating and building cases. Your first step towards leveling the playing field is hiring an attorney who brings years of successful federal criminal defense experience to the table. At Bajoka Law in Detroit, led by Attorney Edward Bajoka, we lean on this past experience to help bring future success.

Attorney Edward Bajoka is committed to answering your questions about public corruption issues in Michigan. He will gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience.

Contact Attorney Edward Bajoka at Bajoka Law at (844) 4BAJOKA today to schedule an appointment.