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Lowther | Walker defends Georgia individuals and businesses targeted in federal money laundering investigations. Heavily resourced agencies such as the DOJ, FBI, IRS-CI, and Homeland Security often initiate contact aggressively, with grand jury subpoenas, formal target letters, unannounced interrogations, or the sudden seizure of bank accounts. We intervene immediately to deconstruct their case. By forensically tracing complex transactions and challenging the government’s narrative on the source of funds, our team exploits evidentiary weaknesses to hold federal prosecutors to their strict statutory burden of proof.
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When you are fighting the massive resources of the United States government, you cannot rely on a standard state-level defense lawyer. You need defense attorneys who exclusively navigate the complexities of the federal court system. Lowther | Walker represents clients in federal jurisdictions across all 50 states and U.S. territories from the firm’s Atlanta, GA, office. Their experience includes landmark success in complex white-collar litigation, conspiracy charges, and high-stakes financial fraud cases.
Declined Medicare Fraud Prosecution When the government alleges $100 million in fraudulent Medicare reimbursements, the stakes are undeniably high. Recently, our firm successfully represented the former director of a national laboratory targeted by federal authorities […]
Fraud Charges Dismissed In US v. J.C., the DOJ targeted our client, a public official, for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $1 million in pandemic subsidies and loans. We dismantled […]
Investigation terminated; no prosecution. DOJ notified our client, the CEO of a major hospital network, that he was the target of a multi-million-dollar healthcare fraud investigation related to “Medicare upcoding” that the FBI and HHS-OIG […]
Investigation terminated; no prosecution. DOJ notified our client that she was the target of a multi-million-dollar public corruption, money-laundering, and tax-fraud investigation that FBI and IRS-CI were conducting. The client’s former atto rney had arranged […]
Declined Medicare Fraud Prosecution When the government alleges $100 million in fraudulent Medicare reimbursements, the stakes are undeniably high. Recently, our firm successfully represented the former director of a national laboratory targeted by federal authorities […]
Fraud Charges Dismissed In US v. J.C., the DOJ targeted our client, a public official, for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $1 million in pandemic subsidies and loans. We dismantled […]
Investigation terminated; no prosecution. DOJ notified our client, the CEO of a major hospital network, that he was the target of a multi-million-dollar healthcare fraud investigation related to “Medicare upcoding” that the FBI and HHS-OIG […]
Investigation terminated; no prosecution. DOJ notified our client that she was the target of a multi-million-dollar public corruption, money-laundering, and tax-fraud investigation that FBI and IRS-CI were conducting. The client’s former atto rney had arranged […]
Federal money laundering law encompasses several different offenses. Two of the most commonly relevant statutes are 18 U.S.C. § 1956 and 18 U.S.C. § 1957.
Section 1956 generally addresses financial transactions involving proceeds of specified unlawful activity where the government alleges the transaction was conducted with a prohibited purpose, such as concealing the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds, or promoting certain unlawful activity.
Section 1957 addresses knowingly engaging in a monetary transaction involving criminally derived property worth more than $10,000 when the property is derived from specified unlawful activity. The government does not necessarily have to prove that the defendant knew the precise underlying offense that generated the proceeds.
That distinction matters. A money laundering prosecution is not simply a case about money changing hands. The government must establish the elements of the particular offense charged, including the required knowledge and other statutory requirements.
For an Atlanta defendant or business, the government’s investigation may focus on:
A money laundering investigation can develop over an extended period and may begin before a business or individual realizes that they are the subject of federal scrutiny.
An investigation may involve:
A bank, financial institution, business, or government agency may identify transactions that warrant further examination. In regulated industries, suspicious activity reporting can also bring financial transactions to the attention of federal authorities. Federal prosecutors in Georgia have brought cases involving money transmitting businesses and alleged failures to maintain required anti-money laundering programs.
Investigators may examine account statements, wire transfers, deposits, withdrawals, business records, tax information, corporate structures, and communications to understand where money came from and where it went.
What initially appears to involve one transaction or account can develop into an investigation involving multiple people, companies, accounts, or alleged underlying offenses.
Depending on the circumstances, federal authorities may obtain subpoenas, search warrants, court orders, or other investigative processes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia has a dedicated section responsible for money laundering and asset recovery. The office specifically identifies complex international money laundering and forfeiture as areas of responsibility.
Money laundering investigations can involve more than potential criminal penalties. Federal prosecutors may also pursue the forfeiture of property or funds that they allege are connected to criminal activity. The Northern District of Georgia’s Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section handles forfeiture matters in both civil and criminal cases.
Money laundering investigations can involve multiple federal agencies, depending on the underlying allegations and financial activity.
| Agency | Role in Money Laundering Investigations |
|---|---|
| U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia | Federal prosecutors who bring and litigate criminal cases in federal court |
| FBI Atlanta | Investigates financial crimes, fraud, money laundering, and related criminal activity |
| IRS Criminal Investigation | Investigates financial crimes involving tax violations, financial transactions, and criminal proceeds |
| Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) | Investigates money laundering and financial crimes with international, customs, immigration, or transnational connections |
| FinCEN | Treasury bureau responsible for financial intelligence and administration/enforcement functions under the Bank Secrecy Act |
| Other federal and local agencies | May participate depending on the alleged underlying offense or investigation |
Money laundering investigations can involve coordinated investigations between federal agencies and state or local law enforcement. Recent Northern District of Georgia cases demonstrate this interagency approach, including investigations involving the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, HSI, DEA, and other agencies.
Money laundering is frequently charged alongside another alleged offense rather than defendants facing laundering charges alone.
For example, prosecutors in the Northern District of Georgia have brought money laundering charges alongside allegations involving:
A money laundering case may therefore require the defense to address both the alleged financial transactions and the underlying conduct from which the government says the funds originated.
For example, federal prosecutors in Georgia have prosecuted cases alleging that fraudulently obtained government funds were subsequently transferred, withdrawn, or used in transactions that formed the basis for money laundering charges. This creates an important strategic distinction: defending the money laundering allegation may require examining the government’s evidence of the underlying offense, the movement of funds, and what the defendant actually knew about the transactions.
Money laundering investigations can involve complicated financial records, multiple entities, numerous transactions, and evidence gathered by several federal agencies. Defending these cases requires more than simply reviewing the indictment.
Lowther Walker approaches money laundering matters as federal white-collar defense cases, examining the government’s allegations from the earliest stages of an investigation through litigation when necessary.
Our attorneys can examine issues such as:
For Atlanta businesses and individuals, early legal representation can be particularly important. Financial investigations can expand quickly once prosecutors and investigators begin connecting transactions, entities, and individuals.
If you believe you’re under investigation for money laundering, or have questions about contact from federal authorities in the Northern District of Georgia, schedule a free consultation with Lowther | Walker. You can speak with a defense attorney today to clarify your legal position and secure clear guidance on the next steps in responding to the authorities.
No-obligation. Fully confidential.
Call Us Today: (404) 496-4052
Yes. Businesses, executives, owners, employees, and financial professionals can become subjects or targets of federal investigations involving financial transactions. Atlanta has been the center of federal cases involving businesses accused of transmitting or moving funds connected to alleged criminal activity
Do not assume that an informal request for information is insignificant. Before providing substantive information or consenting to investigative activity, an individual or business should understand the nature of the investigation and obtain advice from experienced federal defense counsel.
Yes. Federal money laundering cases can involve criminal or civil forfeiture proceedings. The Northern District of Georgia specifically has a Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section responsible for pursuing forfeiture in appropriate cases
No. Although drug trafficking generates significant money laundering investigations, federal cases can also involve alleged proceeds from fraud, tax offenses, government program fraud, identity theft, and other offenses. Recent Northern District of Georgia prosecutions demonstrate this range.
Federal criminal cases arising in Atlanta and much of northern Georgia are generally handled in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia prosecuting federal criminal matters. Its Criminal Division includes a dedicated Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section.
