Strategic Defense,
From First DUI to Death Penalty
From First DUI to Death Penalty
Tampa White Collar Crime Attorney | Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
Tampa white collar crime attorney Rocky Brancato defends individuals and businesses facing fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and other financial crime charges in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. As the former Chief Operations Officer and Chief Assistant Public Defender of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, Rocky managed complex administrative and legal operations involving over 100 attorneys — experience that translates directly to defending intricate financial crime cases. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and selected to Super Lawyers, Rocky Brancato and The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. bring more than 25 years of criminal defense experience and 150+ jury trials to verdict to white collar crime defense. Call (813) 727-7159 for a confidential consultation.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with a white collar crime in Tampa, call Tampa white collar crime attorney Rocky Brancato at The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.: (813) 727-7159. We defend clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.
What Are White Collar Crimes Under Florida Law?
White collar crimes are non-violent, financially motivated offenses. Florida prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases because they often involve significant financial losses to victims. A Tampa white collar crime attorney must understand Florida criminal statutes, because many financial crimes trigger parallel investigations by agencies like the FBI, IRS, and SEC.
Tampa White Collar Crime Charges We Defend
| Charge | Florida Statute | Potential Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme to Defraud | 817.034 | Up to 30 years prison (organized scheme) |
| Grand Theft | 812.014 | Up to 30 years (first degree, $100K+) |
| Embezzlement | 812.014 | Up to 30 years; restitution required |
| Money Laundering | 896.101 | Up to 30 years; asset forfeiture |
| Forgery / Uttering | 831.01-02 | Up to 5 years (third-degree felony) |
| Identity Theft | 817.568 | Up to 5 years; enhanced for 10+ victims |
| Insurance Fraud | 817.234 | Up to 5 years; professional license loss |
| Mortgage Fraud | 817.545 | Up to 30 years (organized scheme) |
| Tax Evasion | 213.29 | Up to 5 years; penalties and interest |
| Securities Fraud | 517.301 | Up to 5 years; SEC referral possible |
Fraud and Scheme to Defraud Charges in Tampa
Florida’s scheme to defraud statute (F.S. 817.034) is one of the most commonly charged white collar offenses in Hillsborough County. Prosecutors use this statute to cover a wide range of conduct, from business disputes to complex investment fraud schemes. The penalties increase dramatically based on the amount of money involved. Schemes involving $50,000 or more constitute first-degree felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Rocky Brancato’s defense strategy for fraud cases focuses on intent. The State must prove that the defendant acted with the specific intent to defraud—not merely that a business deal went bad or that someone failed to repay a debt. Many fraud cases arise from legitimate business transactions that deteriorated. The defense team at The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. works with forensic accountants and financial experts to demonstrate that the conduct in question lacked criminal intent.
Tampa Embezzlement Defense
Embezzlement charges typically arise when an employer accuses an employee of misappropriating company funds or property. Florida does not have a separate embezzlement statute. Instead, prosecutors charge embezzlement as theft under F.S. 812.014, with the penalty determined by the value of the property allegedly taken. Because these cases often involve complex financial records, a Tampa white collar crime attorney must be prepared to challenge the accounting methods prosecutors use to calculate losses.
How a Tampa White Collar Crime Attorney Builds Your Defense
White collar crime defense requires a fundamentally different approach than defending street crimes. These cases turn on documents, financial records, electronic communications, and expert testimony rather than eyewitness accounts. Rocky Brancato and the defense team employ several strategies depending on the specific allegations:
- Challenging intent: The prosecution must prove you acted with specific intent to defraud or steal. Honest mistakes, poor business judgment, and negligence do not constitute criminal conduct.
- Forensic accounting review: The defense team works with independent forensic accountants to challenge the prosecution’s loss calculations and financial analysis.
- Fourth Amendment challenges: If investigators obtained evidence through improper searches or seizures, suppression motions can exclude that evidence from trial.
- Witness credibility: Many white collar cases rely heavily on cooperating witnesses who received favorable deals in exchange for testimony. The defense exposes their motives and inconsistencies.
- Pre-charge negotiation: When a client retains a Tampa white collar crime attorney during the investigation phase, the defense can present mitigating information to prosecutors before charges are filed.
Why Early Intervention Matters in Tampa White Collar Crime Cases
Unlike violent crime arrests, white collar crime charges typically develop over extended investigation periods. Law enforcement may spend months gathering documents through subpoenas, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing financial records. During this time, you may not even know you are a target. However, several warning signs indicate that you may be under investigation: receiving a target letter from a prosecutor, learning that a grand jury has issued subpoenas related to your business, or discovering that colleagues or business partners have spoken with investigators.
Retaining a Tampa white collar crime attorney at the earliest possible stage provides critical advantages. The defense team can advise you on how to respond to investigators without making damaging admissions. Additionally, the attorney can begin preserving favorable evidence, identifying potential defenses, and engaging with prosecutors before they make charging decisions. In some cases, effective pre-charge advocacy results in the investigation being closed without any charges being filed. This proactive approach is especially valuable for professionals whose careers depend on maintaining a clean criminal record.
Collateral Consequences of White Collar Crime Convictions
Beyond prison time and fines, a white collar crime conviction carries devastating collateral consequences. Professional licenses in fields like medicine, law, accounting, real estate, and financial services may face revocation. Convictions can result in forfeiture of assets, including real property, bank accounts, and investments. Immigration consequences for non-citizens can include deportation and permanent inadmissibility. Additionally, restitution orders can follow you for years—even surviving bankruptcy in many cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Collar Crime Defense in Tampa
What qualifies as a white collar crime in Florida?
White collar crimes are nonviolent financial offenses committed for personal or business gain. Under Florida law, this includes fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, forgery, insurance fraud, Medicaid fraud, and organized scheme to defraud. The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. defends clients facing all categories of white collar criminal charges in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.
What are the penalties for white collar crimes in Florida?
Penalties depend on the specific charge and the dollar amount involved. Grand theft of $100,000 or more is a first-degree felony carrying up to 30 years in prison. Organized scheme to defraud involving $50,000 or more is also a first-degree felony. Restitution, fines, and forfeiture of assets may also be ordered. Rocky Brancato at The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. works to minimize exposure through pretrial negotiation, evidentiary challenges, and trial defense.
Can I be arrested for white collar crimes even if I did not know the activity was illegal?
Knowledge and intent are elements the State must prove in most white collar prosecutions. If you did not knowingly participate in the illegal activity, this may form the basis of a strong defense. The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. scrutinizes the evidence to determine whether the State can actually prove you acted with criminal intent rather than simple negligence or ignorance.
More Questions About Your Defense
How are white collar crime cases investigated in Hillsborough County?
White collar investigations typically involve the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit, FDLE, or other agencies working with the State Attorney’s Office in the 13th Judicial Circuit. Investigations often rely on subpoenaed financial records, forensic accounting, and witness interviews conducted over months before an arrest. The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. can intervene during the investigation phase to present the defense perspective before charges are filed.
What is an organized scheme to defraud under Florida law?
Under Florida Statute 817.034, an organized scheme to defraud involves engaging in a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with the intent to defraud or obtain property from others through false representations. The penalty depends on the total amount involved, ranging from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony. Rocky Brancato at The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. defends clients against organized fraud charges by challenging the State’s evidence of intent and the calculation of alleged losses.
Can white collar crime charges be reduced or dismissed?
Yes. White collar charges can be reduced or dismissed when the defense demonstrates lack of criminal intent, challenges the State’s calculation of alleged losses, or identifies procedural violations in the investigation. Pre-file advocacy is particularly effective in white collar cases because investigations are often lengthy. The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. uses early intervention to negotiate with prosecutors before formal charges are filed.
Working With a Defense Attorney
What should I do if I am under investigation for a white collar crime?
Do not speak to investigators, do not destroy any documents or electronic records, and contact The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. immediately. Destroying evidence can result in additional felony charges. Rocky Brancato can communicate with investigators on your behalf, preserve your rights, and begin building your defense while the investigation is still developing.
Why should I hire The Brancato Law Firm for white collar crime defense?
Rocky Brancato served as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Assistant Public Defender of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, where he managed complex operations and led over 100 attorneys. This operational and management experience gives him a unique ability to analyze the complex financial evidence that defines white collar cases. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and selected to Super Lawyers, Rocky Brancato at The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. combines executive-level analytical skills with more than 25 years of courtroom experience.
Protect Your Reputation. Preserve Your Future.
A white-collar investigation in Florida is more than a legal hurdle—it is a threat to everything you have built. At Brancato Law Firm, P.A., we provide the sophisticated, high-level defense required to navigate complex state and federal allegations.
Every strategy we deploy is developed under the direct oversight of Rocky Brancato, whose veteran background of 150+ jury trials informs our firm’s approach to pre-trial negotiations and courtroom litigation. We focus on early intervention, aiming to resolve matters discreetly and effectively before they escalate.
Put a Proven Defense Blueprint in Your Corner.
Don’t wait for an indictment to secure counsel. Our firm provides the seasoned leadership necessary to manage high-stakes white-collar matters with precision.
Brancato Law Firm, P.A. 620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205 Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 727-7159
The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. is a Tampa-based criminal defense practice. We are not affiliated with any other Brancato-named law firms.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on the individual facts and circumstances involved. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Related Pages
Visit Us
Tampa Office
620 E Twiggs St
Suite #205
Suite #205
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 727-7159
Located two blocks from the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
Contact Us Now
Free Legal Consultation (813) 727-7159
