FORMER MASSACHUSETTS PROSECUTOR

REPRESENTING THOSE FACING CHARGES

PROUDLY SERVING CAPE COD AND NEIGHBORING NANTUCKET & MARTHA'S VINEYARD COMMUNITIES.

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30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE

Money Laundering Defense Strategies in The Cape & Islands

Money laundering is a serious criminal offense that faces prosecution in either the state and federal level.

Money Laundering Defense Attorney

The impact of a money laundering conviction can be devastating to your reputation, personal life, and professional career. You could be facing decades in prison, steep fines, and seizure of your assets. You will need an experienced Massachusetts money laundering defense attorney to guide you through the criminal defense process. Before speaking to any parties about your case or your charges, it is best to talk to a professional who can assess your situation.
Mr. Kokonowski is an experienced money laundering defense attorney serving Massachusetts residents throughout the State on both state level cases as well as defending federal crimes.

What is Money Laundering Defense?

Money laundering involves taking “dirty money” obtained from an illegal activity and funneling it through a “legitimate” business to make it “clean” — in an attempt to conceal the paper trail leading to the source of illegal funds.

Underlying Crimes Associated with Money Laundering

Here in Massachusetts, both state and federal prosecutors often file charges of money laundering in conjunction with other criminal activities, such as:

  • Drug Trafficking and other drug crimes
  • White Collar Crimes
    • Fraud (wire, mail, bank)
    • Embezzlement
    • Racketeering
    • Tax evasion
  • Terrorist financing
  • Prostitution

A money laundering scheme involves:

  1. Placement: Dirty money gets transferred into financial system (significant amounts of money broken into smaller pieces that are harder to detect)
  2. Layering: money is moved around to create “layers” of transactions that bury the illegal finances
  3. Integration: after illegal funds are layered, the “clean money” can then be introduced back into the economy via a variety of spending, investing or lending techniques

Penalties for Money Laundering in Massachusetts

  • up to six years in state prison for a first offense
  • mandatory minimum two-year sentence up to an eight-year maximum for the second offense

Federal Penalties

  • up to 20 years in jail for each
  • fine of up to $500,000.00 or twice the amount of money laundered, whichever is higher
  • seizure and potential forfeiture of your assets (cash, cars, and real estate

Possible Money Laundering Defenses

  • Lack of Intent
  • Participation under duress
  • Money not gained through illegal acts
  • Insufficient evidence
Penalties for Money Laundering in Massachusetts

Get Help

If you are charged with or are the subject of an investigation for money laundering in Massachusetts, it’s important to secure the best defense possible for your case.

Call defense attorney Thomas Kokonowski today to schedule a free consultation.

We have two Cape Cod based offices and serve the Islands as well:
 Barnstable: (508) 262-0063
 Orleans: (774) 561-2689

Criminal defense attorney Mr. Kokonowski is a former prosecutor who is familiar with how money laundering investigations are conducted and provide experienced Massachusetts money laundering defense on your behalf.  He knows how to negotiate with federal and state authorities to get the charges against you dismissed or reduced. If there is no room for compromise, he will vigorously defend you in court against a judge or jury.