White-collar professionals generally understand that egregious embezzlement is a crime. They know they should not take money from that employer or steal office equipment for personal use. Most people would never attempt to outright steal from their employers.
They could still commit embezzlement without realizing that their behavior constitutes actionable misconduct. One of the most common forms of embezzlement occurs frequently, in part because workers don’t view it as outright theft. However, their employers and state prosecutors may have a different perspective.
What common professional conduct might lead to allegations of embezzlement later?
Misuse of company cards or reimbursement policies
Businesses can use their liquid capital or revolving lines of credit to cover operating expenses. They may authorize employees to conduct transactions in certain circumstances. Workers who regularly travel for their jobs or supervisors who have to come up with solutions on the fly may have access to company expense cards.
They can use a company card when purchasing dinner for a team working overtime or when making last-minute arrangements for a trainer coming in from the corporate offices. Other companies have expense reimbursement policies. Workers submit receipts for job-related expenses and receive repayment for personal funds spent conducting business.
Sometimes, workers take new jobs that seem to come with certain perks. Perhaps the person training them takes them out for dinner and drinks afterward and uses the company expense account. Such practices can very easily inspire misconduct in the future.
Employees who witness the person training them or others in their department misusing reimbursement policies or company cards may adopt similar practices. If the company becomes aware of inappropriate transactions or reimbursement requests, an investigation might ensue.
Simply arguing that others engaged in similar activities usually isn’t enough to prevent employers from seeking the prosecution of white-collar professionals implicated in an embezzlement scandal. Thankfully, there are defense strategies available to those accused of embezzlement or other white-collar crimes.
Written communications with trainers and company handbooks are among the various forms of evidence that could help workers fight back against embezzlement allegations. Reviewing a situation that led to white-collar criminal charges with a skilled legal team can help professionals develop a viable criminal defense strategy.