Law Office of Gregory S. Robey Law Offices of Gregory S. Robey2026-09-08T17:54:17Zhttps://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1304139/2025/05/cropped-Gregory_s_robey_site_icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[What happens after you receive a federal target letter?]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478142026-09-04T17:55:00Z2026-09-08T17:54:17ZWhat does being a federal target mean?
The Department of Justice separates a target from a subject or witness. Under DOJ guidelines, a person becomes a target when prosecutors or the grand jury have substantial evidence connecting that person to a crime and prosecutors regard the person as a putative defendant.
The letter may describe the actions under investigation or list possible federal crimes. Target status is serious because prosecutors may be deciding whether to seek an indictment from a grand jury.
What should you do after receiving a target letter?
Because statements and records can affect a federal case, several immediate steps can help you avoid added problems:
Avoid discussing the case with federal agents before getting legal guidance.
Preserve emails, texts, financial records and other documents tied to the matter.
Review the letter for possible charges, deadlines or requests.
Contact a federal criminal defense attorney early to understand the letter and the possible charges under review.
Each step can affect how you respond as the investigation moves forward.
Why statements and documents matter
Anything you say to investigators may later be used against you. Federal law can also make it a crime to knowingly and willfully give a false statement that matters to a federal investigation.
Destroying, changing or hiding records with the intent to interfere with a federal investigation may also violate federal law. Keeping records intact can help avoid questions about whether evidence was changed or discarded.
The investigation may continue while prosecutors decide what action, if any, to take.
What could happen next?
A target letter does not guarantee that prosecutors will file charges. They may gather more evidence, ask for testimony or decide whether to seek an indictment.
If prosecutors ask you to testify before the grand jury, you have a Fifth Amendment right not to give answers that could incriminate you. However, the government may require you to testify if it obtains a court order granting immunity.
Legal review can clarify what the government is investigating
A target letter may give only part of the government's view of the case. Legal counsel can review the letter, identify what it does not explain and speak with prosecutors when appropriate. This can clarify the possible charges, the government's concerns and what may happen next.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Can domestic violence charges be dropped if a victim recants?]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478152026-09-04T17:44:06Z2026-09-04T17:44:06ZIf someone reports domestic violence and later changes their story, you may expect the criminal case to disappear. You may also feel relieved if the person who made the report no longer wants to participate. But a change in their account does not settle what happens next. Ohio law gives prosecutors room to consider the entire situation rather than simply following the alleged victim’s wishes.
Here is what that can mean for your case.
A changed story does not automatically dismiss the charges
A recantation or request to drop the case does not automatically end the charges against you. The prosecutor handles the criminal case for the state, so the alleged victim cannot simply withdraw the charges personally. Ohio law says prosecutors must consider relevant facts and circumstances when deciding whether to continue or dismiss a domestic violence prosecution, even when the alleged victim stops cooperating or asks to drop the charges.
Prosecutors may rely on evidence beyond the victim's statement
Even after the alleged victim changes their account, other evidence may support the allegations. Depending on the circumstances, that evidence could include:
911 calls
Police observations
Photographs of injuries or property damage
Text messages or other communications
Medical records
Witness statements
For example, if officers documented injuries when they arrived or witnesses described what they saw, those details may remain available after the alleged victim changes their account. The prosecutor can evaluate those materials along with the original report and later statements.
A recantation can create issues with the prosecution's evidence
Conflicting accounts can affect how the prosecution evaluates its case, but they do not guarantee dismissal. A complete recantation differs from correcting a minor detail or giving a different account of part of the incident. If your case contains conflicting statements, your attorney can examine the original report and later account to determine how those differences may affect the evidence.
A changed story does not eliminate the need for a defense
You should still take the charges seriously even if the alleged victim no longer wants to participate. Speaking with a criminal defense attorney before making statements can help you avoid responses that could complicate your case. If you need to speak directly with the alleged victim, ask your attorney first about the appropriate way to handle that conversation so it does not appear that you are pressuring or coaching them.
Know what a changed story means for your case
A recantation may affect the strength of a domestic violence case, but it does not guarantee dismissal. Reviewing the original report, later statements and other evidence with your attorney can help you understand your legal options and determine how to respond.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[What is a RICO charge?]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478112026-06-11T15:31:13Z2026-06-11T15:29:44Z Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is a federal law enacted to combat organized criminal activity. While it originally targeted traditional organized crime, prosecutors now use it for many different cases including when they believe individuals participated in a pattern of criminal activity connected to an organization, business or group, even if that group appears legitimate on the surface.
At its core, a RICO case is about proving an “enterprise” and showing that the defendants conducted or participated in the enterprise’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity. That pattern generally requires multiple related criminal acts over time, not a single isolated incident.
How prosecutors build a RICO case
RICO allows prosecutors to connect people and conduct that they may otherwise charge as separate crimes. Instead of treating each alleged offense as a standalone event, the government may argue that the acts were coordinated, repeated and tied to a shared structure or purpose.Before listing the kinds of crimes that can support a RICO charge, it helps to understand the concept of “predicate acts.” These are specific offenses that, when committed as part of a pattern, can form the foundation of a RICO prosecution. Common examples include:
Fraud offenses, including mail fraud and wire fraud
Extortion and threats tied to business or personal gain
Cyber crimes, including certain hacking and online fraud conduct
The prosecution has adapted how it uses these charges, moving from a focus on pursuing organizations that operate under the old day mob mentality to combinations that reflect how modern allegedly illegal enterprises operate, particularly where money, influence or data is involved.
Why RICO charges are so serious
RICO charges often involve lengthy investigations, extensive evidence and multiple defendants, which can increase both the legal exposure and the practical pressure on everyone involved. These cases involve review of extensive records, surveillance and cooperating witnesses as well as often including multiple counts that can increase sentencing exposure. Substantial penalties are possible if the charges result in a conviction, including forfeiture of assets tied to the enterprise and the possibility of significant prison sentences upon conviction.A RICO charge is serious because it is not just about one alleged crime. It is about an alleged pattern of criminal activity connected to an enterprise, supported by predicate acts such as fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, bribery, extortion and cyber crimes. When prosecutors pursue RICO, they are often signaling a long investigation, a large body of evidence and the potential for substantial penalties if a conviction follows. Those who face these charges have options. Legal counsel with experience in this niche area of law can review the allegations and help build a defense to better ensure your rights are protected throughout the process. ]]>by Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Hawaii Doctor Convicted of Attempted Manslaughter of Wife]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478092026-04-10T15:26:06Z2026-04-10T15:26:06ZOn Behalf of Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Money laundering and tax fraud: How professionals get caught in federal investigations]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478082026-03-14T02:51:14Z2026-03-14T02:51:14ZCommon paths to federal scrutiny
Most people don’t set out to become international money launderers. Instead, they often find themselves entangled in a gray area that escalates. These individuals might use their specialized knowledge to hide the true source of funds or to lower their tax liability through illegal means.
Federal prosecutors frequently see the following scenarios in their case files:
Creating shell companies to move money between accounts without a clear business purpose
Falsifying business records to claim personal luxury expenses as professional deductions
Misreporting offshore income to avoid the heavy tax burdens of domestic filings
Structuring bank deposits in small amounts to avoid mandatory federal reporting limits
While these methods may work in the short term, they leave a digital trail that investigators are trained to follow. Once a professional starts down this path, it becomes increasingly difficult to undo the financial damage.
Red flags that trigger an investigation
Federal agencies like the IRS and FBI don’t choose their targets at random. They rely on sophisticated monitoring systems and external tips to flag potential criminal behavior. Often, a simple discrepancy in a standard tax filing is enough to pull a professional into a much larger probe.
The following indicators often lead to a formal federal audit or investigation:
Unusual banking activity, such as frequent wire transfers to high-risk foreign jurisdictions
Significant discrepancies between a taxpayer’s reported income and their actual lifestyle
Whistleblower reports from disgruntled employees or former business partners
Referrals from financial institutions that notice suspicious patterns in corporate accounts
Once these red flags appear, federal agents begin building a case using forensic accounting. They can piece together years of transactions to show a pattern of willful evasion or laundering.
Defending against financial charges
Facing a federal financial investigation is a marathon, not a sprint. The government often spends months or even years gathering evidence before making an arrest. Because these cases rely heavily on paper trails, the defense should focus on the lack of criminal intent or errors in the government’s accounting.
Strategic legal defense usually involves these key components:
Working with forensic experts to challenge the prosecution’s financial theories
Demonstrating that financial errors were the result of negligence rather than a willful desire to break the law
Negotiating with federal agencies early to mitigate penalties or avoid a formal indictment
Working with experienced counsel is the only way to navigate the dense web of federal statutes. An aggressive defense can often protect a professional's license and freedom during this high-stakes process.]]>by Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[President Maduro and Wife Face New Indictment in Manhattan Federal Court]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478052026-01-05T22:46:22Z2026-01-05T20:40:07Zby Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Alleged Killer in National Guard Shooting Faces Murder Charge]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478032025-12-01T21:14:25Z2025-12-01T21:14:25Zby Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Supreme Court Will Rule on Trump’s Tariffs]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478022025-11-04T17:15:43Z2025-11-04T17:15:43Zby Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Former FBI Director, James Comey, Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478012025-10-08T22:24:03Z2025-10-08T22:24:03Zby Law Office of Gregory S. Robey<![CDATA[Sean Combs Faces Sentencing in Federal Case]]>https://www.oh-criminal-lawyer.com/?p=478002025-10-02T21:52:56Z2025-10-02T21:52:56Z