What Do You Do When You’re Accused of Money Laundering in Las Vegas?
Money laundering. The phrase sounds like something straight out of a Hollywood movie. You picture secret offshore accounts, shell corporations, and shadowy figures. But the reality is, here in Las Vegas, an accusation of money laundering can happen to almost anyone, often without them even realizing they were part of a criminal scheme.
My name is Michael Gowdey, and for more than 30 years, I’ve been defending the accused in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. At my firm, The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd., we are a top-rated, award-winning team because we understand how devastating these charges are. One minute, you’re running a business, making transactions, or just trying to help out a friend. The next, you’re facing federal investigators from agencies like the FBI or the IRS, and your entire life is turned upside down.
An accusation of money laundering is an attack on your freedom and your character. The government will try to paint you as a sophisticated criminal, even if you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. They have unlimited resources to build a case against you. You need a fighter in your corner, someone who has been in the trenches of the federal court system and isn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with a U.S. Attorney.
Let’s break down what money laundering really is, in simple terms. No confusing legal jargon, just a straight conversation about what you’re up against and how we can defend your future.
What Exactly is Money Laundering?
At its core, money laundering is the process of making “dirty money”—money obtained from criminal activity—look “clean.” The goal is to hide the source of the funds so they can be used without attracting the attention of law enforcement.
Think of it like this: a criminal can’t just walk into a bank and deposit a duffel bag with a million dollars in cash from a drug deal. That would raise immediate red flags. So, they have to “wash” the money through a series of transactions to make it appear as though it came from a legitimate source, like a business.
The process typically happens in three stages:
Placement
This is the first step, where the dirty cash is introduced into the financial system. This might involve breaking up large amounts of cash into smaller, less suspicious deposits (a practice called “structuring” or “smurfing”) or mixing it with the daily cash receipts of a legitimate business.
Layering
This is the most complex stage. The money is moved around through a series of transactions to create confusion and hide its original source. This can involve wire transfers to different accounts, converting cash into assets like cars or real estate, or moving money through shell companies.
Integration
This is the final step, where the “clean” money is brought back into the economy. The launderer can now use the funds to buy luxury goods, invest in businesses, or live a lavish lifestyle, and it all appears to be legitimate.
Why is Las Vegas a Hotspot for Money Laundering?
Las Vegas is the cash capital of the world. The constant flow of money through casinos, real estate, and high-end retail makes it an attractive place for those looking to launder illicit funds. Federal authorities know this, which is why they are extremely aggressive in investigating and prosecuting these cases in our city.
How Can an Innocent Person Get Charged with Money Laundering?
This is the most important question we get. You don’t have to be a drug kingpin to be charged with money laundering. The laws are written so broadly that regular business owners, real estate agents, accountants, and even people just doing a favor for a friend can get caught in the net.
Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1956), you can be convicted if the prosecutor proves you conducted a financial transaction that you knew involved the proceeds of a crime, or if you were willfully blind to the fact that the money was dirty. “Willful blindness” is a scary legal concept. It means you can be convicted if you intentionally avoided learning the truth because you suspected something was wrong.
Here are some real-world scenarios where good people get charged:
A small business owner agrees to accept large cash payments from a client without asking questions.
A real estate agent helps a buyer purchase property using a complex series of shell companies.
An accountant is asked to create confusing financial statements to hide the source of funds.
A person agrees to let a “friend” deposit cash into their bank account and then wire it to another account in exchange for a small fee (acting as a “money mule”).
In these situations, you might not have committed the original crime (like drug trafficking or fraud), but by helping to move the money, you can be charged with a crime that is just as serious, if not more so.
The Lesser-Known Statistics on Money Laundering
Everyone knows money laundering is a huge global problem. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that between 2% and 5% of global GDP—that’s up to $2 trillion—is laundered every year.
But let’s look at a statistic that hits closer to home. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is a bureau of the U.S. Treasury that collects and analyzes financial data. In their reports, they consistently show that casinos are a major focus of their investigations. But here’s the part few people see: their data also shows a massive increase in Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) related to real estate transactions. This means federal investigators are no longer just watching the casino cage; they are scrutinizing every high-value home sale in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, looking for signs of money laundering. Real estate agents, escrow officers, and developers are now on the front lines of these investigations.
What are the Penalties for a Money Laundering Conviction?
Money laundering is almost always charged as a federal crime, and the penalties are designed to be incredibly harsh. This is not a crime where you can expect probation or a slap on the wrist.
If convicted of federal money laundering, you could be facing:
- Prison: Up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.
- Fines: Up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.
- Asset Forfeiture: This is one of the most devastating consequences. The government can seize not only the laundered funds but also any property involved in or traceable to the crime. This includes your business, your home, your cars, and your bank accounts.
- Restitution: You will be ordered to pay back the victims of the underlying crime.
The Nevada State Law
In addition to federal charges, Nevada has its own money laundering statute (NRS 207.195). While it’s prosecuted less often than the federal law, it is still a Category B Felony and carries a sentence of 1 to 20 years in state prison. A prosecutor can choose to charge you at either the state or federal level, or sometimes both.
A conviction for money laundering will destroy your life. It is one of the most serious white-collar crimes on the books. As a top-rated Las Vegas criminal defense attorney, my entire career has been dedicated to defending clients against these life-altering charges.
How Do You Defend Against a Money Laundering Charge?
When you’re facing the full power of the federal government, it can feel like you have no chance. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has a conviction rate of over 90%. But that statistic is misleading. It doesn’t account for the cases that are won long before a jury is ever selected, through aggressive pre-trial motions and relentless investigation.
For over 30 years, my award-winning firm has successfully defended clients against these charges by building powerful, strategic defenses. Here are some of the ways we fight back:
Lack of Knowledge
This is the most powerful defense. The prosecutor must prove that you knew the money came from a criminal source. Were you simply a legitimate business owner who had a client that paid in cash? Did you have any reason to suspect your client was a criminal? We work to show that you were an unknowing and innocent participant.
No Intent to Conceal
To be guilty, you must have conducted the transaction with the intent to hide the source, ownership, or nature of the funds. If you were just conducting a normal business transaction in a standard way, we can argue that there was no criminal intent to launder.
Misinterpretation of Complex Transactions
Financial deals can be incredibly complicated. The government may see a series of complex wire transfers as a layering scheme, when in reality, it was just a legitimate, multi-step business transaction. We bring in our own forensic accountants to unravel the transactions and show the court what really happened.
Illegal Search and Seizure
The government needs probable cause and, in most cases, a warrant to seize your financial records, search your home, or access your emails. If federal agents violated your Fourth Amendment rights, we will file a motion to suppress the illegally obtained evidence, which can cripple their case against you.
A Surprising Fact About Federal Prosecutions
The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University provides detailed data on federal law enforcement. Their research reveals a trend that is critical for your defense: the government is increasingly relying on cooperating witnesses (informants) in white-collar cases. This means a key part of their case against you might be the testimony of a former business partner or associate who is cutting a deal to save themselves. A huge part of our job is to destroy the credibility of these witnesses and expose their motives for lying.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey?
When you are facing a federal indictment for money laundering, the choice of your attorney is the most important decision you will ever make. You cannot afford to hire someone who is learning on the job. You need a lawyer who has decades of experience in the trenches of federal court, who knows the prosecutors, the judges, and the system inside and out.
For over 30 years, I have been that lawyer for the people of Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. My firm is highly-rated and has won numerous awards because we are relentless advocates for our clients. We don’t just react to the prosecution’s case; we launch our own investigation. We are proactive, aggressive, and we prepare every single case as if it is going to trial. This reputation for being ready for a fight is what allows us to achieve incredible results for our clients.
If you or a loved one is under investigation or has been arrested for money laundering, the time to act is now. Do not speak to the FBI, the IRS, or any other investigator. The most important thing you can do to protect your future is to exercise your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
Contact us today for a completely confidential consultation. Let’s sit down and talk about your case. Let us be your shield.
FAQS
Top 10 Questions Asked to Money Laundering Attorney in Las Vegas
10 Most Common Questions Asked to a Money Laundering Attorney in Las Vegas
1. What is the first thing I should do if federal agents show up at my door?
Answer: Do not talk to them and do not let them in without a warrant. Be polite, but firm. State clearly, “I am exercising my right to remain silent, and I want to speak with my attorney.” Then, call an experienced federal defense lawyer immediately.
2. I didn't commit the original crime (like drug dealing). Can I still be charged with money laundering?
Answer: Yes. This is a common misconception. You can be convicted of money laundering even if you had nothing to do with the underlying criminal activity. The crime is in knowingly helping to conceal the “dirty” money, regardless of its source.
3. What is "structuring" and is it illegal?
Answer: Structuring is the act of breaking up large cash transactions into smaller amounts (typically under $10,000) to avoid federal reporting requirements for banks. Yes, it is a federal crime in itself, even if the money came from a legitimate source.
4. The government seized my bank accounts. How do I get my money back?
Answer: This is called asset forfeiture, and it is a powerful tool for the government. To get your money back, we have to challenge the seizure in court. We will file a claim demanding that the government prove the funds are connected to a crime. It is a complex process that requires an attorney with experience in federal forfeiture laws.
5. I was just helping a friend by letting them use my business account. Can I really go to prison for that?
Answer: Yes. Knowingly allowing your business or personal accounts to be used to funnel illicit funds makes you a participant in the scheme. The government will label you a “money mule” and will prosecute you as part of the conspiracy, even if you didn’t receive a large share of the money.
6. What is "willful blindness"?
Answer: This is a legal doctrine that says you can be found guilty if you deliberately ignored the facts because you suspected illegal activity and didn’t want to know the truth. If a deal seems “too good to be true” and you intentionally avoid asking basic questions about the source of the money, a prosecutor can argue you were willfully blind.
7. Can a casino report me for money laundering?
Answer: Yes. Casinos in Las Vegas are required by federal law (the Bank Secrecy Act) to report any suspicious transactions or cash transactions over $10,000 to the government by filing a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) or a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR). These reports often trigger federal investigations.
8. Will I definitely go to federal prison if convicted?
Answer: The federal sentencing guidelines for money laundering are extremely harsh, and prison time is the presumptive sentence. However, an experienced attorney can argue for a downward departure or variance from the guidelines based on factors like your role in the offense, your personal history, and your cooperation. The goal is always to fight for the lowest possible sentence.
9. Can this charge be sealed from my record?
Answer: Unlike many state crimes, federal convictions generally cannot be expunged or sealed. A federal felony conviction is a permanent mark on your record that will follow you for the rest of your life. This is why it is absolutely critical to fight the charge from the very beginning.
10. What makes your firm different in handling these high-stakes cases?
Answer: Experience. For over 30 years, I have been defending clients in the federal courthouse here in Las Vegas. I know the system, I know the prosecutors, and I have a proven track record of success in these complex, high-stakes cases. We don’t just handle cases; we defend futures.