A white collar crime accusation can upend your life without warning. One day, you are running your business, advancing your career, or fulfilling your professional responsibilities. The next, you may be facing serious criminal allegations that threaten your freedom, livelihood, and reputation. The legal process can be complex, and the decisions you make early may affect the course of your case.
Attorney James Egan is a Rochester-based white collar crime defense lawyer with 19 years of experience handling thousands of criminal cases. As a former prosecutor, he understands how criminal investigations are conducted, how prosecutors evaluate evidence, and how the government may approach a case. He uses that perspective to anticipate potential arguments and develop a defense strategy based on the specific allegations his client is facing.
Attorney Egan was recognized as one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys for Rochester in 2026 by TrustAnalytica.
White collar crime is a broad category of financially motivated, nonviolent offenses that often arise in professional, financial, or business settings. These allegations may involve business owners, executives, employees, accountants, healthcare providers, licensed professionals, and others entrusted with money, records, or sensitive information.
Although these offenses do not involve physical violence, the consequences can still be severe. Depending on the charge, a conviction may result in incarceration, fines, restitution, asset forfeiture, professional consequences, and lasting reputational harm.
White collar investigations can also be lengthy and document-intensive. Investigators may spend months reviewing financial records, electronic communications, business documents, and witness statements before charges are filed. Speaking with an attorney early can provide more time to understand the allegations, preserve relevant evidence, and prepare an informed response.
White collar crime cases may involve New York law, federal law, or both. The charges vary widely, but each requires careful review of the facts, evidence, and legal elements involved.
Because white collar charges span such a wide range of conduct, it helps to understand what some of the most frequently charged offenses may involve.
Grand Larceny. In New York, grand larceny may be charged based on the value or type of property allegedly taken. The degree of the charge and the potential penalties depend on the circumstances.
Mail and Wire Fraud. These federal offenses involve the use of the U.S. mail or private interstate carriers, or interstate or foreign electronic communications, to carry out an alleged scheme to defraud. Because modern business communication often takes place electronically, emails, phone calls, and electronic transfers may become part of a wire fraud case when prosecutors allege they were used to advance a fraudulent scheme. Prosecutors may bring multiple counts based on separate communications, which can increase the potential consequences.
Money Laundering. Money laundering charges allege that a person used proceeds of criminal activity in prohibited financial transactions, including transactions intended to conceal or disguise them. These charges may be filed alongside other offenses, increasing the number and seriousness of the allegations a defendant faces.
Falsifying Business Records. Under New York Penal Law, falsifying business records in the first degree is a felony when the intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal its commission. This charge often appears in cases involving alleged fraud, embezzlement, or tax evasion, and it can be brought against business owners, accountants, executives, and employees alike.
Insurance Fraud. Insurance fraud allegations can arise in a wide variety of contexts, including healthcare billing, property claims, and workers’ compensation. These cases may be prosecuted under state or federal law, depending on the nature of the allegations and the entities involved.
Computer Crimes. As business operations have moved online, computer crime charges have become increasingly common in white collar prosecutions. These charges may involve unauthorized access to computer systems, identity theft, or the electronic manipulation of financial records. Depending on the alleged conduct, a case may involve New York law, federal statutes such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, or both.
Each offense presents its own evidentiary and procedural issues. Attorney Egan examines the alleged conduct, the methods used during the investigation, and the evidence supporting the charge so that the defense is based on a complete understanding of the case.
White collar cases often involve large volumes of documentary and electronic evidence. Financial records, tax filings, emails, contracts, spreadsheets, and data from computers or corporate systems may all become part of the government’s case. Prosecutors may also rely on forensic accountants, digital investigators, and other specialists when analyzing that material.
Effectively responding to this evidence requires more than general courtroom experience. Attorney Egan understands the financial systems, digital tools, and business structures that commonly appear in white collar investigations. He reviews the evidence critically, looking for weaknesses in the government’s theory, inconsistencies in the records, procedural errors, and alternative explanations for the alleged conduct.
Expert assistance may also be appropriate in some cases. A forensic accountant may help evaluate financial conclusions, while a digital forensics specialist may examine electronic evidence or the methods used to collect it. When specialized knowledge could assist the defense, Attorney Egan can consult qualified professionals in the relevant field.
If you believe you are the subject of a white collar investigation, or if you have already been charged, there are several important steps to keep in mind.
Do not speak to investigators without an attorney present. Anything you say to law enforcement, even in what feels like an informal conversation, can be used against you. Politely declining to answer questions until you have retained counsel is your right, and exercising it is not an admission of guilt.
Do not destroy or alter any documents or records. Once you have reason to believe you are under investigation, you may have a legal obligation to preserve relevant records. Destroying or altering documents at that stage can result in additional charges, including obstruction of justice.
Contact an experienced white collar defense attorney as soon as possible. Early intervention allows your attorney to assess the allegations, preserve relevant evidence, communicate with investigators or prosecutors, and advocate on your behalf before charging decisions are finalized.
Be candid with your attorney. Confidential communications made for the purpose of seeking legal advice are generally protected by attorney-client privilege. To build the most effective defense, your attorney needs a complete and honest picture of the facts. Withholding information, even information that feels embarrassing or damaging, may limit your attorney’s ability to help you.
No two white collar cases are identical. The appropriate defense will depend on the charges, the evidence, the alleged intent, and the circumstances surrounding the investigation. Attorney Egan approaches each matter individually rather than relying on a standard strategy.
Attorney Egan begins by reviewing the facts and identifying the issues that may affect the case. If you are under investigation but have not yet been charged, he can communicate with investigators or prosecutors on your behalf, seek information about the allegations, and help you avoid statements or decisions that could complicate your position.
Early involvement may also provide more time to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and respond before charging decisions are finalized.
Attorney Egan conducts an independent review of the government’s evidence. This may include financial records, business documents, communications, electronic data, and witness statements.
He also examines how the evidence was obtained. If investigators conducted an unlawful search, exceeded the scope of a warrant, or violated constitutional protections, the defense may have grounds to challenge the use of that evidence.
After reviewing the available information, Attorney Egan develops a strategy tailored to the case. Depending on the circumstances, the defense may involve:
Attorney Egan explains the available options and keeps his clients informed throughout the process.
Whether the case is resolved through negotiation or proceeds to trial, Attorney Egan advocates for his client at each stage. His background as a former prosecutor helps him anticipate the government’s arguments and prepare focused responses.
At trial, the prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Attorney Egan works to hold the government to that burden and present the defense clearly and effectively.
White collar cases require careful analysis of financial documents, electronic evidence, investigative procedures, and the intent behind the alleged conduct. Attorney Egan draws on more than 15 years of criminal law experience, including his prior work as a prosecutor, to identify weaknesses in the government’s case and develop a defense suited to the circumstances.
He also understands how stressful and disruptive these investigations can be. Clients may be concerned not only about criminal penalties, but also about their careers, businesses, licenses, finances, and reputations. Attorney Egan takes the time to explain the process, answer questions, and help clients understand what to expect as the case moves forward.
If you believe you may be under investigation, speaking with an attorney before answering questions or providing documents can help you understand your role in the investigation, including whether authorities view you as a witness, subject, target, or potential defendant. It can also provide more time to preserve evidence, evaluate the allegations, and respond strategically.
Call 585-510-5101 or contact James Egan Law online to schedule a consultation.
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