Pierce County Housing Authority Auditor Steals Seven Million. Really?
How do charging decisions affect sentence exposure in an embezzlement case? Enormously, explains Pierce County, Washington attorney Spencer Freeman. Charging one or two counts over a long span yields little time; breaking the scheme into month-by-month counts can mean 20-plus charges and years. Federal or state venue depends on the details, and a parallel civil suit can freeze assets.
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Answered by Spencer Freeman · Pierce County, WA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do charging decisions affect an embezzlement sentence?
Enormously—charging one or two counts over a long span yields little time, but breaking the scheme into month-by-month counts can mean 20-plus charges and years.
Why might such a case go federal?
The scale—millions taken from a large public budget—draws federal involvement and raises a venue question over whether it's charged federally or by the state.
Can assets be frozen early?
Yes—a parallel civil suit can freeze assets, and property, accounts, and real estate can be ordered seized while the case proceeds.
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