Money Laundering Charges in Louisiana: An In-Depth Look

Money Laundering Charges in Louisiana: An In-Depth Look

Money laundering can seem like a complex financial crime, but it basically involves hiding the source of money obtained illegally to make it appear legitimate. This crime is taken very seriously in Louisiana, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to long felony prison sentences depending on the amount laundered.

In this article, we’ll break down what constitutes money laundering, typical penalties, recent cases, and defenses that can be used to fight the charges. We aim to provide an in-depth look at these complex crimes so Louisiana residents can understand the gravity of these accusations.

What Constitutes Money Laundering in Louisiana?

Louisiana law defines money laundering as knowingly conducting a financial transaction involving proceeds from any criminal activity to conceal their source. This covers a wide range of crimes including:

• Drug trafficking
• Prostitution
• Illegal gambling
• Embezzlement
• Bribery
• Tax evasion

Financial transactions refer to any exchange of money or assets to hide where the funds originated. Common examples include:

• Depositing dirty money in a bank account
• Transferring it between accounts or people
• Using it to buy assets like cars or property
• Investing it into businesses
• Mixing it with clean money

The key is knowing or believing the money came from criminal activities and deliberately concealing its source. Simply possessing or spending dirty money is not enough to constitute laundering. Prosecutors must prove intent to hide where the funds came from.

Penalties for Money Laundering in Louisiana

Money laundering charges in Louisiana range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the amount laundered:

• Less than $3,000 – Up to 6 months in jail
• Between $3,000-$19,999 – Up to 5 years in prison
• Between $20,000-$99,999 – 2 to 20 years in prison
• Over $100,000 – Up to 99 years in prison

Fines up to $20,000 may also apply, especially for larger amounts. Conspiring to launder money or doing it through a business carry similar penalties. Other consequences include asset forfeiture, restitution, and money judgments in civil court.

Recent Money Laundering Cases in Louisiana

Some recent cases highlight how seriously Louisiana takes these financial crimes:

• In April 2022, New Orleans man Irvin Mayfield was sentenced to 18 months in prison for laundering $1.3 million from the New Orleans Public Library Foundation.
• Kenner doctor Anh “Joseph” Cao was convicted in 2021 of laundering over $1.5 million in Medicaid fraud proceeds.
• In 2020, Baton Rouge tax preparer Lashonda Williams got 3 years in prison for laundering refunds from fraudulent tax returns.

These cases show laundering charges apply to both public officials, doctors, and ordinary citizens in Louisiana. Hiding even a few thousand dollars can lead to criminal penalties.

Defenses Against Money Laundering Charges

There are several legal defenses that can potentially beat money laundering allegations in Louisiana:

• Lack of intent – If you did not know funds were from illegal activities, you cannot have intended to conceal their source.
• Duress – Doing it under threat, coercion, or force from someone else may excuse the crime.
• No underlying crime – If the money was not actually from criminal conduct, laundering charges do not apply.
• Entrapment – Law enforcement pushing you into committing a crime you otherwise wouldn’t is entrapment.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can evaluate if any of these defenses apply in your case. They may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed pre-trial. If not, asserting your defenses at trial gives you the best chance at acquittal.

Take Money Laundering Charges Seriously

Money laundering crimes are complex but prosecuted aggressively in Louisiana. Hiding just a few thousand dollars can lead to years in prison depending on your intent and the circumstances. If you are under investigation or charged, retain legal counsel immediately to protect your rights. An attorney may be able to get charges dropped or reduced and build defenses to avoid a conviction at trial.