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This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Karren Kenney following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Karren Kenney, the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a criminal defense attorney.
Facing a money laundering charge in Orange County can turn your life upside down. Whether you are being investigated or already charged, these cases are serious. They often involve both state and federal courts, complex financial records, and long prison sentences. You need a skilled defense team that understands how to handle white collar crimes and federal investigations.
Kenney Legal Defense helps people accused of serious financial crimes, including money laundering charges under both California law and federal law. Our goal is to protect your freedom and your future. We examine every detail of the case, from bank accounts and financial transactions to how the evidence was collected.
With deep knowledge of the legal system and strong courtroom experience, we fight for the best outcome possible.
When you are facing a money laundering charge, the stakes are high and the legal process can be confusing. These charges often involve large amounts of money, multiple bank accounts, and business or personal transactions that are closely watched by both state and federal agencies.
At Kenney Legal Defense, our Orange County money laundering lawyer knows how to handle serious white collar crime cases involving complicated financial records, digital trails, and alleged links to other criminal activity like drug trafficking, fraud, or identity theft. Attorney Karren Kenney handles all criminal fraud matters and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with special expertise in defending her clients.
We take the time to fully understand your side of the story while reviewing the financial transactions, documents, and evidence the prosecutors will use against you. Whether your case is based on a single suspicious transfer or part of a much larger investigation involving federal court, we build a strong defense strategy that protects your rights and challenges every weak point in the government's case.
Money laundering means taking money from illegal sources and making it look like it came from legal business activity. Both federal and state laws make this a crime, and prosecutors take it very seriously. Even being linked to someone else's criminal activity can put you at risk.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, federal law defines money laundering as conducting a financial transaction with money that comes from illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, fraud, or organized crime. The law applies when someone tries to hide the source of that money or use it in a way that helps continue the criminal activity.
This statute also covers efforts to move money across state lines or internationally to avoid detection by federal law enforcement agents. A person does not need to handle cash directly; simply transferring funds through a bank account or business can be enough to trigger a money laundering charge under this federal law.
In California, Penal Code § 186.10 makes it a crime to conduct transactions involving more than $5,000 over a seven-day period, or $25,000 over a 30-day period, if the money is tied to criminal activity. These state charges often come up when large sums of money are moved through banks, businesses, or other means in a way that tries to hide where the money came from.
Law enforcement often looks for certain red flags when building a money laundering case. Many cases involve normal businesses or banking methods used to move illegal money without drawing attention. Law enforcement will always try to squeeze statements out of people accused of fraud, so it is extremely important not to talk to any federal agent without an attorney present.
Here are common examples we have seen:
One of the most common ways people commit money laundering in Orange County is by using legitimate businesses to hide illegally earned money. Criminals may run cash-heavy operations, like restaurants or car washes, to mix clean and dirty money together so it becomes harder to trace.
These business transactions help make the funds look like legal income, which can then be spent or invested without raising red flags. This method often involves false invoices, fake employees, or inflated sales numbers.
Structuring, also called smurfing, happens when someone breaks up large sums of cash into smaller bank deposits to avoid the bank's reporting rules. In the U.S., banks must report deposits over $10,000 to federal agencies. To stay under the radar, a person may deposit $9,000 several times at different branches or use multiple people to make the deposits.
This method is illegal and can lead to serious money laundering charges, especially if tied to other crimes like drug trafficking or wire fraud.
Buying and selling property is another method used in money laundering schemes. Criminals may buy homes or commercial buildings with illegal money, then sell them later to make the funds appear clean. These real estate transactions can involve fake buyers, inflated property values, or cash purchases that do not match the person's income.
In some cases, shell companies are used to hide the real owner of the property, making it harder for law enforcement to trace the money.
As cryptocurrency becomes more popular, it is also being used to hide money linked to criminal activity. People may use digital assets like Bitcoin to quickly move money across borders without going through a bank. They can also convert illegal funds into crypto and trade them across different platforms to confuse investigators.
This method is hard to track and is now being closely watched by both federal and state law enforcement agencies in Southern California and beyond.
Several government agencies in the United States look into money laundering. These groups work together to find out where the illegal money is coming from and how it is being hidden. They use tools like bank record checks, computer tracking, and witness interviews.
If you are under investigation, you may be contacted by one or more of these agencies listed below.
The IRS Criminal Investigations division looks into crimes involving money, especially when people try to hide illegal income from taxes. If someone uses a business, real estate, or other way to hide illegal money, the IRS may step in to review financial records and tax returns. They often work closely with other federal agencies to build their case.
The FBI handles major federal crimes, including white collar crime, money laundering, and fraud. They have special teams trained to find large amounts of illegal money being moved through banks or fake businesses. They also track wire fraud, mail fraud, and financial scams that cross state or country lines.
The DEA focuses on drug crimes and how criminals use money laundering to hide profits from drug trafficking. If someone is accused of moving or selling illegal drugs, the DEA may investigate their bank accounts, businesses, or real estate to find signs of laundered money. They also look for links to organized crime groups.
HSI is part of the Department of Homeland Security and handles many different crimes, including money laundering that involves immigration, human smuggling, or cross-border money movement. They are often involved when large sums of money are moved in or out of the U.S. through illegal channels, especially near ports, airports, or at the U.S. border.
The California DOJ handles state-level investigations, including those related to money laundering charges that break California criminal law. They may work with local police or district attorneys in places like Orange County to build a case. This agency also handles state financial crimes, especially those involving fraud, business scams, or stolen money.
If you are found guilty of a money laundering charge, the penalties can be very serious. Under federal law, a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 can lead to up to 20 years in prison. You may also be ordered to pay a $500,000 fine, or twice the amount of the money that was laundered, whichever is greater. The federal court may also take your bank accounts, property, and any other assets connected to the crime.
If the laundering is tied to drug trafficking or organized crime, the punishment can be even worse. This includes longer prison time, larger fines, and extra charges related to the other crimes.
At the state level, the penalties are still strong. Under California Penal Code 186.10, you could face up to 4 years in state prison and fines of $250,000 or more, depending on the amount of money involved. Both state and federal courts can also place a permanent mark on your criminal record, which may affect your job, your credit, and your future.
When someone is accused of money laundering, the government can take their money, property, or belongings if they believe those things were bought with illegal money. This is called asset seizure or forfeiture. You do not even have to be found guilty before they take your items. In many cases, the government freezes your bank accounts, which would be a clue that you are a target of a federal investigation.
They do this to stop the flow of money and try to find out where it came from. Getting these things back can be very hard without the help of a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to fight these claims in both state and federal court.
Fighting a money laundering charge is not something you should do alone. These cases can be very complicated, and the law enforcement agencies involved often have strong evidence. A skilled Orange County money laundering lawyer can build a solid defense strategy, protect your rights, and deal with federal prosecutors and complex financial records.
Kenney Legal Defense has the experience needed to handle tough cases like this. We know how to question the way the evidence was collected and how to fight asset seizures and long prison sentences. Having the right legal representation can make a big difference in keeping your record clean and protecting your future.
1. What is money laundering in simple terms?
Money laundering is when someone hides where illegal money came from, often by putting it through a financial institution or using it to buy goods and services.
2. Can I go to jail for money laundering?
Yes. A money laundering conviction can lead to a long prison sentence, especially in federal money laundering cases under the Money Laundering Control Act.
3. What if I didn't know the money was illegal?
Your criminal defense attorney can help prove lack of knowledge. That is a common defense in money laundering defense cases.
4. Will I get a plea deal for a money laundering charge?
Plea bargains are possible, but it depends on your case, the evidence, and what the federal government wants to pursue.
5. Why should I hire a criminal defense law firm instead of a regular lawyer?
A skilled criminal defense law firm knows how to handle jury trials, protect the attorney-client relationship, and understand anti-money laundering regulations.
If you are facing a money laundering charge in Orange County, you should talk to a lawyer right away. These types of charges are serious, and both the state and federal government will work hard to build a strong case against you. Kenney Legal Defense understands how the legal system works and how to defend people accused of financial crimes.
We take time to review every part of your case and explain your options in simple terms. Whether you're under investigation or already charged, our criminal defense attorney can give you a clear path forward. We are here to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome. Our team handles both state and federal money laundering cases, so you can feel confident in our experience.
Contact us today for a free case quote. We are ready to help you.
