Being accused of fraud in Cleveland, Ohio, can threaten everything you've worked for, your reputation, your career, and your freedom. Prosecutors take fraud allegations seriously, especially when they involve financial loss, public institutions, or government programs.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we understand the stress and confusion that accompany these charges, and we work tirelessly to protect your rights from the moment you're investigated to the final court decision.
We represent clients in Cleveland, Ohio, and across the state who are under investigation or facing formal charges. Our team has also defended clients in nearby offices in Independence, Columbus, and Oxford, Ohio. Whether you were arrested for a one-time financial misstep or are accused of orchestrating a complex scheme, we offer comprehensive and strategic legal support every step of the way.
Types Of Fraud Cases We Handle
Fraud encompasses a wide array of criminal charges that involve deliberate deception, misrepresentation, or concealment intended to result in personal or financial gain. These offenses are often complex, involving digital footprints, financial transactions, and multiple parties. In Cleveland, Ohio, individuals facing fraud charges must act quickly and decisively, as state and federal prosecutors take these allegations seriously and often pursue them with enhanced resources and scrutiny. Below are some of the most commonly prosecuted fraud offenses throughout Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding jurisdictions:
Identity Theft
Identity theft involves the unlawful use of another person’s personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or driver's license numbers, to commit fraud. Offenders might open credit accounts, access bank funds, or apply for loans using someone else’s credentials. In Cleveland, Ohio, identity theft is aggressively prosecuted due to its potential to devastate victims’ credit, finances, and reputations.
Credit Card Fraud
This charge includes using a stolen, cloned, or counterfeit credit card to purchase goods, withdraw cash, or gain services. The severity of the charges often depends on the monetary value of the fraud, the number of victims affected, and whether the scheme was part of an organized effort. In Cleveland, Ohio, even first-time offenders can face felony charges depending on the facts of the case.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud covers a broad spectrum of misconduct, including filing false claims, staging car accidents, exaggerating injuries, or providing incorrect information on applications. This offense applies to all types of insurance—auto, health, homeowners, and disability. In Cleveland, Ohio, these cases are often prosecuted when providers detect suspicious claim patterns or when whistleblowers come forward.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement involves the theft or misappropriation of money or property entrusted to an individual, usually in an employment or fiduciary role. This often includes manipulating financial records, diverting company funds for personal use, or unauthorized withdrawals. Cleveland, Ohio, prosecutors typically bring embezzlement charges when internal audits reveal discrepancies or when whistleblowers report financial misconduct.
Health Care Fraud
Health care fraud includes a range of illegal activities such as billing for services not rendered, upcoding procedures to receive higher reimbursement, issuing medically unnecessary prescriptions, or misrepresenting diagnoses to justify treatment. These cases often involve large volumes of medical documentation and can be investigated by both state regulators and federal agencies. In Cleveland, Ohio, medical professionals, billing coordinators, and even patients can find themselves under scrutiny.
Tax Evasion
Tax evasion consists of intentionally underreporting income, inflating deductions, hiding assets, or failing to file returns altogether. Both the IRS and the Ohio Department of Taxation take these violations seriously, particularly when large sums or multiple years of unpaid taxes are involved. In Cleveland, Ohio, a conviction for tax evasion can lead to heavy fines, imprisonment, and long-term financial consequences.
Additional Considerations in Fraud Cases
In Cleveland, Ohio, certain factors can escalate the severity of fraud charges, including:
- The involvement of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or disabled
- Use of public assistance programs to commit fraud
- Repeat offenses or an established pattern of fraudulent activity
- Cross-state transactions, which may trigger federal prosecution
These aggravating circumstances can result in more severe penalties, including longer prison terms and higher restitution amounts. Defending against fraud charges in Cleveland, Ohio, requires an attorney who understands financial documents, electronic evidence, and the strategies used by prosecutors. Whether your case is isolated or part of a larger investigation, Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez stands ready to provide the defense you need to protect your rights, reputation, and future.
Our Approach To Fraud Defense
We take a thorough and strategic legal approach to your defense. Our process includes:
- Comprehensive case analysis by carefully reviewing all evidence and identifying potential weaknesses
- A tailored defense strategy based on the unique details of your case
- Skilled negotiation with prosecutors to potentially reduce charges or penalties
- Assertive courtroom representation if your case goes to trial
Every legal case requires a specific approach. We can pursue your case based on the findings and legal demands required to get the best outcome.
Penalties for Fraud Charges in Ohio
In Cleveland, Ohio, fraud charges can carry steep penalties that vary depending on the type of fraud, the financial amount involved, and whether the accused has any prior convictions. These offenses can be prosecuted under both state and federal law, and in some cases, defendants may face charges in both courts simultaneously.
Under Ohio law, the severity of the charge is largely determined by the value of the goods or services obtained through fraud:
- Less than $1,000 – Typically charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
- $1,000 to $7,500 – Considered a fifth-degree felony, carrying six to 12 months in prison and fines up to $2,500.
- $7,500 to $150,000 – This level rises to a fourth-degree felony, with potential penalties of six to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- Over $150,000 – Charges of this magnitude may lead to third-degree felony convictions, which can result in up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
In federal court, penalties can be even more severe, especially for offenses involving tax evasion, healthcare fraud, or large-scale financial schemes. Federal sentencing guidelines often require mandatory minimum sentences and include enhancements for the number of victims or use of sophisticated means.
Other consequences may include:
- Restitution Orders: Courts may require the defendant to repay all financial losses suffered by victims.
- Asset Seizure: Prosecutors may pursue forfeiture of any assets believed to have been obtained through fraudulent means, including homes, vehicles, or bank accounts.
- Probation or Community Control: Even if prison time is avoided, individuals may face strict supervision, mandatory reporting, and financial audits.
In Cleveland, Ohio, these penalties are compounded by collateral consequences that follow a fraud conviction, such as job loss, loss of professional licenses, and damaged personal and professional reputations. Because the stakes are so high, having knowledgeable legal counsel from the start is essential to minimizing the risk of severe sentencing and long-term impact.
Can Fraud Convictions Be Expunged in Ohio?
Expungement laws in Ohio have recently expanded, but fraud-related convictions are not always eligible. In general, misdemeanors and lower-level felonies without significant financial losses or multiple victims may be expunged after a waiting period. However, convictions for serious financial fraud, especially those involving public funds or multiple incidents, may not qualify.
You may be eligible for expungement if:
- Your charges were dismissed or resulted in a "not guilty" verdict
- You were convicted of a lower-level offense like petty theft instead of felony fraud
- You have no additional criminal history and have completed all sentencing requirements
Keep in mind:
- Expungement does not erase your record for federal purposes or professional licensing boards
- Sealing a record does not guarantee complete privacy; courts and law enforcement may still access sealed records in some cases
How Can a Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorney Help With Your Fraud Charge?
Facing a fraud charge in Cleveland, Ohio can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you have never dealt with the criminal justice system before. These cases often involve intricate paper trails, years of financial records, and aggressive investigative techniques. Prosecutors may attempt to portray you as deceitful or manipulative before the full facts are even reviewed. That’s why having a skilled criminal defense attorney by your side from the very beginning is crucial.
A Cleveland fraud defense lawyer brings more than just legal knowledge; they provide a buffer between you and the prosecution, a strategic guide through complex proceedings, and a tireless advocate for your rights. From the moment an investigation begins, your attorney can take immediate steps to minimize exposure, preserve evidence, and craft a comprehensive defense plan tailored to your situation.
What a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Do for You:
- Review and Analyze Financial Evidence: Examine bank records, transaction logs, accounting spreadsheets, email correspondence, and audit reports to uncover inconsistencies or favorable evidence.
- Challenge Weak Evidence: File motions to suppress evidence gathered without proper legal procedure, including search warrants or subpoenas that may not meet legal standards.
- Discredit Unreliable Testimony: Cross-examine government witnesses, whistleblowers, or co-defendants who may have motives to exaggerate or mislead.
- Pursue Case Dismissal or Charge Reduction: Engage directly with prosecutors to explore diversion programs, reduced charges, or favorable plea agreements.
- Represent You at Every Stage: Appear in court on your behalf during arraignments, pretrial hearings, suppression motions, and trial if necessary.
What to Look for in a Cleveland Fraud Defense Lawyer
Choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you will make after being charged with fraud. The lawyer you hire should not only be experienced in criminal law but also understand the nuances of financial crimes, government investigations, and how local Cleveland courts operate.
Key Qualities to Look For:
- Proven Experience in White-Collar Defense: Your lawyer should have a deep understanding of fraud statutes, accounting practices, and investigative methods used by both state and federal agencies.
- Cleveland Court Familiarity: Local insight into how Cuyahoga County prosecutors and judges handle fraud cases can give you a tactical advantage.
- Strong Communication Skills: You need a lawyer who can break down complex legal concepts, respond promptly to questions, and keep you informed at every step.
- Convenient Meeting Locations: Look for a firm that offers flexible meeting options not only in Cleveland, Ohio, but also in Independence, Columbus, and Oxford, Ohio.
- Track Record of Results: Whether through acquittals, dismissals, or favorable plea bargains, a history of positive outcomes is a strong indicator of an attorney’s ability.
Why Choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez?
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we understand that fraud charges carry more than legal consequences; they can damage your reputation, career, and financial security. That’s why we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves. Our legal team brings a strategic balance of legal precision and client-centered advocacy to every defense.
What Sets Us Apart:
- We provide measured, strategic legal intervention based on the specifics of your case and goals.
- Our team is both aggressive in the courtroom and compassionate in client service, ensuring you're informed and supported.
- We offer bilingual legal support—our attorneys are fluent in Spanish and serve diverse communities across Ohio.
- With deep local knowledge of Cleveland, Ohio laws and courts, we know how to anticipate prosecutorial tactics.
- Our track record of favorable outcomes speaks for itself, from case dismissals to reduced charges.
We’re available around the clock because legal emergencies don’t follow business hours. When you call us, you get answers; not an answering service.
We offer legal assistance to those facing all sorts of criminal charges in Cleveland and throughout the state of Ohio, including:
Contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez Today for Help With Your Cleveland Fraud Charges
Time is critical in fraud cases. The sooner you involve an experienced defense team, the more control you retain over your future. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our attorneys will immediately begin evaluating your case, preserving evidence, and shielding you from further legal risk.
Whether you’re under investigation or already facing charges in Cleveland, Ohio or in Independence, Columbus, or Oxford, we are prepared to help.
Call (216) 710-6700 or
connect with us online today. Your consultation is private, thorough, and focused on giving you a clear path forward. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we don’t just defend your case; we defend your life, your future, and your name.
