White-collar charges carry some of the steepest financial penalties in South Carolina’s criminal code. They result in prison time far more often than most people expect.
According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, U.S. Attorney offices filed 4,332 federal prosecutions for white-collar crimes in fiscal year 2024. That figure does not include thousands of additional state-level cases each year.
If you are facing an investigation or charges in South Carolina, understanding the specific examples of white-collar crimes, how they are prosecuted, and what you stand to lose is the first step toward protecting yourself. This guide covers the most common white-collar offenses under both South Carolina and federal law, how these cases are built, and what happens after a conviction.
Here is what you will learn:
- How South Carolina classifies and penalizes specific white-collar offenses
- Which crimes are prosecuted in state court vs. federal court and why
- How investigations unfold before charges are filed
- The collateral consequences beyond prison and fines
- Steps to protect yourself if you are under investigation
What Qualifies as a White-Collar Crime in South Carolina
South Carolina law does not contain a single statute labeled “white-collar crime.” The term refers to a group of nonviolent offenses that share four core elements: financial motivation, deception or concealment, a breach of trust or authority, and the absence of physical violence.
Charges are brought under individual code sections covering fraud, breach of trust, embezzlement, forgery, and financial identity theft. That structure means two cases that look similar on the surface can carry very different charges and penalties depending on which statute prosecutors apply.
Common Examples of White-Collar Crimes Under South Carolina Law
Fraud and Breach of Trust
Breach of trust with fraudulent intent is South Carolina’s primary fraud statute. Under S.C. Code § 16-13-230, the state must prove that property or funds were entrusted to you and that you converted them to your own use with fraudulent intent.
Penalties follow a three-tier structure: $2,000 or less is a misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in jail, $2,000 to $10,000 is a felony carrying up to five years, and $10,000 or more is a felony carrying up to ten years. Prosecutors often charge this statute alongside S.C. Code § 16-13-240, which covers obtaining property through false pretenses, when the facts support overlapping theories of deception.
Embezzlement of Public and Private Funds
Embezzlement of public funds is charged separately under S.C. Code § 16-13-210. This statute applies to any officer or person responsible for safekeeping, transferring, or disbursing government money.
If the amount reaches $10,000 or more, you face up to ten years in prison. Amounts below $10,000 still carry a felony classification with up to five years. A conviction also triggers a permanent bar from holding public office in South Carolina unless the General Assembly removes the restriction by a two-thirds vote.
Money Laundering
South Carolina has its own money laundering laws separate from the federal system. Under the SC Anti-Money Laundering Act, S.C. Code § 35-11-740, penalties scale across three tiers based on the amount moved within a 12-month period.
Amounts between $300 and $20,000 carry up to five years in prison. Amounts between $20,000 and $100,000 carry up to ten years. Amounts of $100,000 or more carry up to twenty years. Fines for a first offense can reach $250,000 or twice the value of the transactions, whichever is greater.
Tax Evasion
South Carolina prosecutes tax evasion under S.C. Code § 12-54-44, which covers multiple forms of tax fraud. Willfully attempting to avoid state taxes or property assessments carries up to five years in prison. Assisting another person in preparing a fraudulent return also carries up to five years.
Failing to file a return, failing to pay estimated taxes, or providing false information to an employer about withholdings each carry up to one year. Filing false statements verified under penalty of perjury can convert what might appear to be a paperwork error into a felony charge carrying up to five years.
Forgery and Credit Card Fraud
Forgery in South Carolina covers counterfeiting any writing or instrument, publishing a forged document, or altering a record or land plat. Amounts of $10,000 or more carry up to ten years, and amounts below $10,000 carry up to five years. Forgery without a specific dollar amount is a misdemeanor carrying up to three years.
Credit card fraud falls under SC Code Title 16, Chapter 14, which encompasses several overlapping offenses including financial transaction card theft, card forgery, card fraud, and possession of forgery devices. Penalties range from one to five years depending on the specific conduct and dollar amounts involved.
Financial Identity Theft
Financial identity fraud is charged under SC Code § 16-13-510, which the South Carolina legislature strengthened in 2008 through the Financial Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Act. The statute covers unauthorized use of personal identifying information to access another person’s financial resources.
A conviction is a felony carrying up to ten years in prison and a fine in the court’s discretion, plus mandatory restitution. SC law allows prosecution in any county where the victim resided when the information was obtained or used, which makes it easier for prosecutors to build cases spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Federal White-Collar Crimes Prosecuted in South Carolina
Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud
Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) and mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341) function as the federal government’s most versatile white-collar prosecution tools. Any scheme to defraud that uses electronic communications, the internet, or the U.S. mail can trigger charges carrying up to 20 years in federal prison.
If the fraud involves a financial institution, the maximum increases to 30 years. Federal prosecutors in South Carolina use these statutes as the foundation for many white-collar cases because nearly every modern transaction involves electronic communication.
Healthcare Fraud and Securities Fraud
Healthcare fraud prosecutions have increased as the Department of Justice has expanded its use of multi-agency task forces targeting overbilling, unbundling, and billing for services not rendered. Federal healthcare fraud charges carry up to 10 years in prison, increasing to 20 years if the fraud results in serious bodily injury.
Securities fraud, including insider trading, is prosecuted exclusively at the federal level. Violations can result in up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $5 million for individuals.
How White-Collar Crime Investigations Work in South Carolina
White collar crime cases are built on documents, not eyewitness testimony. Investigations involve forensic accounting reviews, electronic records analysis, and months or years of evidence gathering before charges are filed.
At the state level, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the SC Attorney General’s Securities and White-Collar Crime unit conduct these investigations. At the federal level, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service take the lead depending on the offense.
Grand jury proceedings are common in both state and federal white-collar cases. If you receive a grand jury subpoena, the investigation has likely progressed to the point where prosecutors are building a formal case. One critical detail: South Carolina has no statute of limitations for state criminal offenses, meaning conduct from years or even decades ago can still result in prosecution.
Penalties and Collateral Consequences for Examples of White-Collar Crimes
Prison sentences and fines are the most visible penalties, but a white-collar conviction in South Carolina triggers a cascade of secondary effects that can reshape your professional and personal life. Professional licensing boards for accountants, nurses, real estate agents, and attorneys may revoke or suspend your license based on a felony conviction.
The Russell Laffitte case in South Carolina illustrates how seriously courts treat these offenses. Laffitte, a former bank CEO, helped facilitate the Alex Murdaugh financial fraud scheme involving millions in stolen client settlement funds.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, and misapplication of bank funds, and received a five-year federal prison sentence. He also received an eight-year state sentence running concurrently.
That case demonstrated that individuals who play supporting roles in white-collar schemes face severe consequences. A felony conviction can also affect your ability to secure future employment, obtain professional bonding, and maintain security clearances. Restitution orders can follow you for years after your sentence ends.
Protect Your Future with a South Carolina White-Collar Crime Defense Attorney
White collar investigations move slowly. By the time you learn about an inquiry, prosecutors may have already assembled months of evidence. Early white-collar crime defense counsel can make a meaningful difference in how your case develops, from the investigation stage through resolution.
At Kent Law Firm, we build criminal defense strategies for white-collar cases by analyzing the same financial records, transaction histories, and agency communications that prosecutors rely on. That approach allows us to identify weaknesses in the government’s case before charges are formalized and to protect your rights throughout the process.
Contact Kent Law Firm today to schedule a consultation about your situation.
FAQs About Examples of White-Collar Crimes in South Carolina
What are the most common examples of white-collar crimes in South Carolina?
The most frequently prosecuted offenses include fraud and breach of trust, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, forgery, credit card fraud, and financial identity theft at the state level. Federal prosecutions in South Carolina commonly involve wire fraud, mail fraud, healthcare fraud, and securities fraud.
Is a white-collar crime a felony or misdemeanor in South Carolina?
Classification depends on the dollar amount involved. Most white-collar offenses become felonies when the value reaches $2,000 or more under state law. Offenses involving $10,000 or more typically carry the highest penalty tier with up to ten years in prison. Some offenses, like financial identity fraud, are felonies regardless of the amount.
Can you go to prison for white-collar crimes in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina courts regularly impose prison time for white-collar convictions. State penalties range from 30 days for misdemeanor-level offenses to 20 years for high-value money laundering. Federal sentences can be even longer, with wire fraud carrying up to 20 years and healthcare fraud involving patient harm carrying up to 20 years.
Is there a statute of limitations for white-collar crimes in South Carolina?
South Carolina has no statute of limitations for criminal offenses prosecuted in state court. That means charges can be filed at any time regardless of when the alleged conduct occurred. Federal white-collar charges generally carry a five-year statute of limitations, though offenses involving financial institutions may extend to ten years.
What should you do if you are under investigation for a white-collar crime?
Contact a white-collar crime defense attorney before responding to any requests from investigators, prosecutors, or grand jury subpoenas. Statements made during an investigation can be used against you, and cooperating without counsel may create additional legal exposure. An attorney can evaluate the situation, advise you on your rights, and begin building a defense strategy before formal charges are filed.