Embezzlement is a serious crime that can have significant consequences for those accused. It can include actions such as using, selling, giving away, or withholding assets from the respective owner.
To be accused of, and convicted for, embezzlement, it has to be proven that you had lawful possession of another person’s property. Then, it needs to be shown you took that property for your own use and do not (or did not) have the intention to return it to the rightful owner.
What are the most common places to find embezzlement crimes?
Embezzlement happens most commonly with petty cash, because it’s fairly easy for almost anyone to get access to a cash drawer. For example, a cashier at a grocery store may have the right to handle the cash in the drawer, but if they use the cash in that drawer to buy something for themselves, then they have embezzled those funds.
While stealing the funds will constitute embezzlement, moving property, causing damage to assets or even using property minimally in a way that was not approved may result in claims of embezzlement.
It’s most common to see people in the corporate and employment fields commit this type of white collar crime, but it’s not exclusively found there. What is important to know is that this is a potential felony crime, so you do need to defend yourself if you believe you’re being investigated for embezzlement.
Your attorney can work closely with you to find out the details of the case, the charges and how the prosecution is moving forward with the case. That way, you’ll have the best chance of defending yourself against the allegations.