In an era of heightened global financial scrutiny, Georgia has intensified its enforcement against complex financial crimes. Allegations of money laundering and embezzlement are pursued with exceptional vigor by specialized state bodies, including the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance and the Prosecutor's Office. These are not simple accusations; they are life-altering events that threaten lengthy imprisonment, total confiscation of assets, and irreparable reputational damage. Our firm provides a highly specialized and sophisticated defense for individuals and corporations ensnared in these complex investigations, combining deep legal knowledge with advanced financial acumen to protect our clients at every critical juncture.
Our defense against allegations of Legalisation of Illicit Income, governed by the formidable Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, is built on a multi-layered strategy. The prosecution must prove a link between the funds in question and a separate underlying crime, known as a "predicate offense." Our first line of defense is often to challenge the very existence of this predicate offense. Furthermore, we aggressively contest the crucial element of "knowledge," arguing that our client was unaware of the illicit origin of the funds and was acting with a legitimate business or personal purpose. We are adept at navigating the complex web of transaction reporting and analysis conducted by Georgia's Financial Monitoring Service (FMS), ensuring our clients' rights are protected from the earliest stages of a regulatory inquiry.
Charges of Misappropriation or Embezzlement under Article 182 of the Criminal Code strike at the heart of trust in business and professional relationships. The law targets the fraudulent conversion of property by someone to whom it was lawfully entrusted. Our defense work meticulously deconstructs the prosecution's narrative by focusing on the element of intent. We analyze corporate charters, board resolutions, and communication records to demonstrate that the use of funds was authorized, served a legitimate business purpose, or was a misunderstanding rather than a criminal act. We also challenge the valuation and classification of the alleged damages, fighting to mitigate the severity of the charges, especially when aggravating circumstances like "large scale" embezzlement are alleged.
A successful defense against complex financial crime allegations is impossible without a mastery of the numbers. Our firm's methodology is distinguished by the central role of forensic accounting. We do not simply react to the prosecution's financial analysis; we commission our own independent forensic investigation. Our team works hand-in-hand with world-class forensic accountants to trace every transaction, reconstruct financial timelines, and identify exculpatory evidence often missed or ignored by state investigators. These experts can provide crucial testimony that dismantles the prosecution's case, transforming complex financial data from a weapon against our client into a shield for their defense.
From the outset of any money laundering or embezzlement investigation, the state's power to freeze bank accounts and seize property poses an immediate and devastating threat. This can cripple a business and leave an individual without the resources to live, let alone fund a proper defense. Our firm provides an emergency legal response to these asset forfeiture and seizure actions. We file urgent motions and challenge the legal basis for the state's actions in court, arguing that they are disproportionate or lack sufficient evidence. Our goal is to secure our clients' assets and restore the financial stability needed to withstand the pressures of a lengthy and complex legal battle.
Updated: ...