Money-Laundering Statutes May Implicate the Innocent

The prospect of a federal money-laundering charge being added to offenses under investigation has serious implications. It can mean exposure to heightened penalties. It can also extend the statute of limitations where it involves conduct occurring later than the substantive offense primarily under investigation. Additionally, money-laundering charges can expand the scope of a conspiracy, by sweeping in conduct involving financial transactions performed by other individuals or far removed from the core conduct at issue. For all of these reasons, the reach of the money laundering statutes is significant.