White-Collar Prosecutions in Oklahoma Federal Courts

White-collar prosecutions in Oklahoma are brought in the three federal districts by the United States Attorney’s Offices and rest on a small set of frequently charged statutes. This page records those statutes and the offices that enforce them.

False statements and concealment

The general false statements statute is 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which reaches knowing and willful falsification, concealment, and false statements in matters within the jurisdiction of the federal government:

knowingly and willfully— (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years

Conspiracy to defraud

Fraud schemes involving two or more participants are often charged as conspiracies to defraud the United States under 18 U.S.C. § 371:

If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. If, however, the offense

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices

Each of Oklahoma’s three districts has a United States Attorney’s Office. The Northern District office describes its role:

As the principal litigator for the United States of America in the Northern District of Oklahoma, the United States Attorney prosecutes all criminal and civil cases brought by the federal government and defends the United States when it is a party in a civil case.

The Eastern District office likewise describes its responsibilities:

Attorney’s Office is responsible for guiding investigations and prosecuting violations of federal criminal law, prosecuting and/or defending civil actions in which the United States is a party, and collecting debts owed to the United States which are administratively uncollectable.

Sentencing

White-collar sentences are imposed under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), with the guidelines published by the United States Sentencing Commission:

The Commission promulgates guidelines that federal judges consult when sentencing individuals. When the guidelines are amended, a subsequent Guidelines Manual is published.