Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

What any parent should know about cyber-bullying in video games

Published on: January 2, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Video games were a lot simpler when you were a kid. Back then, the only other person involved in your game of Super Mario Bros. was the person sitting next to you on the couch. Nowadays, the gaming experience has moved online, making it much more interactive than before. You can play with friends and strangers around the globe.

This advancement has its benefits. Children can meet and socialize with other players, and they can work together to come up with creative ways of strategizing and problem solving. However, as with anywhere else on the internet, cyber-bullying–using electronic communication to threaten, harass or harm someone–is a problem in the online gaming community.

Here are three things to be aware of in online multiplayer games:

Navigating an antitrust investigation

Published on: November 16, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Successful business is essential to the continued growth and stability of any economy. For that reason, the government maintains strict laws against monopolies, and those companies they find to have inappropriate practices may face antitrust charges, which hold stiff penalties.

If your company is facing such allegations, it is important to understand what they entail to mount a proper defense. The investigation process is essential to these cases, and there are a few things you should know about the procedure.

The law

Tax fraud conspiracy leads to sentencing of 8 Georgia residents

Published on: November 9, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Eight Georgia residents were recently sentenced in federal court for various convictions following a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to reports, numerous tax fraud and money laundering conspiracy activities were conducted from 2009 to 2012. A DOJ spokesperson stated that millions of dollars were claimed on fraudulent tax returns.

According to reports, the individuals sentenced claimed $35 million in refunds on over 100 tax returns. The refunds were for the fuel taxes for a number of corporate vehicles. However, during the investigation, it was discovered that the vehicles were never used by the companies listed on the returns. Agents from IRS Criminal Investigation worked with other law enforcement agencies to uncover the activity.

Seven men and one woman from Georgia were sentenced for multiple counts, including theft of government funds, false claims conspiracy and filing false claims. Other charges included conspiracy to steal government funds, using phony identification and attempting to cash checks generated by the scheme. The sentences range from six months to seven years in prison with many followed by several years of supervised released. Several of the individuals have been ordered to pay restitution, ranging from approximately $750,000 to over $5.5 million.

Nine arrested for drug charges in northeast Georgia

Published on: October 27, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

People who grow marijuana plants in Georgia and in other locations around the country typically try very hard to keep their growing operations concealed. However, sometimes, the growing operations are discovered, leading to serious legal situations for those involved. Recently, an indoor marijuana operation was reportedly discovered in a Gainesville residence. Nine individuals were arrested and now face a variety of drug charges.

An officer from the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad reported that over 500 marijuana plants were discovered in the home’s basement. The area had been turned into a greenhouse, according to officials. Evidently, this home was only one part of a larger operation in the northeast Georgia area. Police indicated that five additional houses had been searched as part of the investigation.

Searches of the homes purportedly revealed more than 1,500 marijuana plants and over 300 pounds of the substance, valued over $7.1 million. Police had received a tip in September regarding a suspected indoor growing location. The ensuing investigation led to the discovery of the supposed network of houses in the operation.

Georgia chiropractors charged with conspiracy and insurance fraud

Published on: October 12, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Many Georgia residents and others around the nation seek the treatment of chiropractors for relief of back pain and other spinal issues. Much of this chiropractic treatment is covered by the patients’ medical insurance. Recently, two Georgia chiropractors were charged in federal court with conspiracy and insurance fraud after allegedly submitting false claims to providers.

A 38-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman have practiced at a chiropractic clinic in Marietta for the past three years, according to reports. They purportedly filed claims to private health insurance companies for procedures that were never conducted. The allegations have come following investigations by the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation unit. Also involved in the case were the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and the Atlanta Police Department.

The two chiropractors are accused of using personal information from their clients. They supposedly submitted this information in claims to insurance companies for services that were never performed. According to the reports, there were occasions where the patients that were supposedly being treated were out of the country at the time of the service.

Key factors of white collar crime charges

Published on: October 11, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Any type of crime is serious, and even non-violent crimes may carry heavy penalties. If you face white collar crime charges, you do not want to take it lightly.

Having an understanding of the process for such charges may assist you with figuring out how to properly fight them. There are a few key factors that you should know about white collar crime.

Definition

Understanding bank fraud charges

Published on: October 10, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

There is a common saying that “money makes the world go around.” As such, people take financial offenses quite seriously. If you face fraud charges, you may encounter strict penalties.

One of the first steps in being able to properly defend yourself against bank fraud charges is to educate yourself. There are a few key things you should know about such cases.

Defining Bank Fraud

5 arrested for drug crimes after seizure of $3.2M in meth

Published on: September 29, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Law enforcement agencies at all levels often work together in Georgia and other states across the country to keep communities safe. Often, the partnerships are drug task forces or initiatives aimed at keeping drugs off neighborhood streets. When a suspected drug operation is discovered, those allegedly involved find themselves facing potential charges for drug crimes. Recently, five men were arrested following an investigation by a multi-level group.

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office reported that 15 kilograms of meth were discovered when two men had been questioned at a traffic stop. Upon this discovery, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Dahlonega. Evidently, several grams of cocaine and over $150,000 in cash were found during the search. A man who initially ran away from the home was later arrested after being located with a gun.

According to reports, officials then raided a Union County lab utilized to convert liquid methamphetamine to a crystal form. In the lab, 15 more kilograms of meth were found, in addition to another handgun. Around 300 pounds of waste containing meth oil were processed by the police.

Georgia couple charged with insurance fraud

Published on: September 14, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Many Georgia residents and others around the county have a good working relationship with their insurance agents. The agents frequently understand the needs of their clients and offer products and services specifically tailored to their situation. Recently, however, two individuals were accused of committing insurance fraud, following an investigation by state authorities.

The state insurance commissioner reported that a 34-year-old woman and her 48-year-old husband were arrested in their home. Purportedly, information from the man’s previous client base was used by the couple. The information was used without the former clients’ knowledge. With the information, the couple allegedly stole over $11,000 in commission fees. Officials believe that the total amount taken could rise over $100,000.

The woman faces charges of insurance fraud, exploitation of an elder, forgery and identify fraud. The man was charged with insurance fraud and exploitation of an elder. According to officials, the company remains in the Troup County jail.

Man charged with drug crimes following seizure of marijuana

Published on: August 31, 2017 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Various law enforcement agencies routinely work together in Georgia and elsewhere around the country. This is particularly common when suspicions of drug crimes are involved. Agencies at the local level may join forces with regional, state or even federal agencies to investigate drug operations. A recent arrest was made following an investigation by the Flint Circuit Drug Task Force.

The task force apparently received a tip from the Drug Enforcement Administration that there was alleged drug activity at a home in Henry County. The county’s magistrate court issued a search warrant for the residence. During the search, officers reportedly found around 1,250 pounds of marijuana. The man was arrested, but has not been identified by police. The marijuana that was seized was valued between $1 million and $1.25 million, according to officials.

For this investigation, information that led to the arrest came from a federal agency. However, local officers stated that many tips come to them on their Facebook page or a hotline number. The local task force is made up of officers from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office as well as the McDonough, Hampton, Locust Grove and Henry County Police Departments.