Brooklyn Money Laundering Lawyer

Aggressive Defense for Federal Financial Crime Allegations in Brooklyn

If you have been accused of money laundering in Brooklyn or anywhere in the Eastern District of New York, you are facing one of the most serious federal criminal charges under U.S. law. Prosecutors often bring money laundering charges alongside conspiracy, fraud, narcotics, or white-collar crime allegations, making the stakes especially high. At Sosinsky Law, we have decades of experience defending clients in high-profile, complex federal financial crime cases in Brooklyn federal court and throughout New York City.

Whether you’re under investigation, responding to a federal subpoena, or have already been charged, you need a skilled Brooklyn money laundering lawyer with the experience and resources to fight back. Call (212) 285-2270 now for a confidential consultation.

What Is Money Laundering?

Money laundering is the process of disguising the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate. Under federal law, this typically involves moving money through various financial transactions or institutions to conceal its source.

Federal prosecutors often charge money laundering under:

  • 18 U.S.C. §1956 (Laundering of Monetary Instruments)

  • 18 U.S.C. §1957 (Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity)

These laws cover a wide range of conduct, including:

  • Depositing criminal proceeds into banks

  • Wiring funds to offshore accounts

  • Structuring transactions to avoid reporting

  • Buying assets (real estate, luxury items) with illegal funds

  • Moving cash through shell companies or third parties

Even individuals only tangentially involved in a larger scheme can find themselves charged with federal money laundering.

Why Are Brooklyn Defendants Being Charged with Money Laundering?

Brooklyn sits at the heart of the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), one of the most active federal jurisdictions in the country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn has aggressively pursued cases involving:

  • Narcotics trafficking and cartel-related financial activity

  • COVID relief fraud (PPP and EIDL loan fraud schemes)

  • Healthcare billing fraud and insurance kickback schemes

  • Cryptocurrency-based laundering operations

  • Foreign bribery and FCPA-related offenses

  • Fraudulent real estate and investment activity

In many cases, the underlying crime is not the primary focus of the indictment—the alleged concealment or movement of the proceeds is. Prosecutors often use money laundering charges to pressure plea deals or increase sentencing exposure.

Elements the Government Must Prove

To convict someone under federal money laundering statutes, prosecutors must prove:

  1. That the defendant conducted or attempted to conduct a financial transaction;

  2. That the transaction involved the proceeds of “specified unlawful activity” (SUA);

  3. That the defendant knew the funds were derived from unlawful activity; and

  4. That the transaction was designed to conceal the source, ownership, or control of the funds (or to avoid reporting requirements).

These elements give experienced defense attorneys multiple avenues to challenge the case, especially on issues of knowledge, intent, and the source of the funds.

government contracting fraud defense

Common Defenses in Brooklyn Money Laundering Cases

At Sosinsky Law, we build custom-tailored defense strategies based on the facts of your case, the evidence against you, and the goals of your defense. Common defenses include:

1. Lack of Criminal Intent

The government must prove that you knew the money came from illegal sources and intended to conceal its origin. If you were simply conducting routine business transactions without knowledge of criminal proceeds, you may have a strong defense.

2. No Specified Unlawful Activity (SUA)

If the funds did not arise from a crime specifically listed as an SUA under the statute (such as drug trafficking, wire fraud, or bribery), the laundering charge may not apply.

3. No Transaction Took Place

The law requires some actual financial movement or attempted transaction. Mere possession of funds or communications about money movement may not be enough.

4. Entrapment or Government Overreach

In some cases, federal agents use confidential informants or sting operations to induce money movement. If you were pressured or misled into unlawful activity, you may have a valid defense.

5. Unlawful Search or Seizure

If the government obtained your bank records, email communications, or financial data through an improper warrant or surveillance, we can move to suppress the evidence.

Investigations and Pre-Charge Representation

Not every money laundering case begins with an arrest. If you have received a:

  • Federal grand jury subpoena for bank records or testimony

  • Target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

  • Knock-and-talk visit from FBI, IRS-CI, DEA, or HSI agents

  • Civil asset forfeiture notice

You are likely under investigation. Sosinsky Law provides pre-indictment representation designed to protect your rights, avoid mistakes, and potentially prevent charges from being filed. We negotiate with prosecutors, prepare clients for interviews, and intervene early to mitigate exposure.

Sentencing Risks for Federal Money Laundering

Money laundering is a serious offense that carries significant penalties under the federal sentencing guidelines. Potential consequences include:

  • Up to 20 years in federal prison for 18 U.S.C. §1956 charges

  • Up to 10 years for §1957 violations

  • Fines of $500,000 or more

  • Asset forfeiture, including homes, bank accounts, or businesses

  • Restitution to alleged victims

Sentencing depends heavily on the amount laundered, your role in the scheme, prior criminal history, and whether other charges (e.g., wire fraud, drug trafficking) are also involved.

At Sosinsky Law, we fight for reduced charges or dismissals pre-trial. If a plea is entered or a conviction is reached, we provide federal sentencing advocacy, including mitigation arguments, expert reports, and presentations to reduce sentencing exposure.

Clients We Represent in Brooklyn Federal Cases

Sosinsky Law represents clients from all walks of life accused of federal money laundering and related offenses, including:

  • Business owners and entrepreneurs

  • Medical professionals and clinic owners

  • Cryptocurrency investors and platform operators

  • Real estate developers and agents

  • Immigrants or dual nationals with international ties

  • Individuals linked to drug or weapons trafficking investigations

Whether your case stems from a single financial transaction or an alleged ongoing enterprise, we have the resources and courtroom experience to defend you in the Eastern District of New York.

Why Choose Sosinsky Law?

Fred Sosinsky has spent over 30 years defending clients against the most serious federal charges in Brooklyn and throughout New York City. As a seasoned federal criminal trial attorney, Fred is known for:

  • Strategic, aggressive defense planning

  • Deep knowledge of federal criminal procedure and evidentiary law

  • Familiarity with prosecutors, judges, and procedures in EDNY

  • Successful results in trials, pre-indictment negotiations, and sentencing advocacy

Our firm is discreet, responsive, and fully equipped to handle the demands of high-profile federal cases.

Call a Brooklyn Money Laundering Lawyer Today

A money laundering investigation or indictment is not just about financial records—it’s about your liberty, your reputation, and your future. If you are under suspicion or facing federal charges in Brooklyn, time is of the essence.

Call Sosinsky Law at (212) 285-2270 today for a confidential consultation with an experienced Brooklyn money laundering lawyer. We serve clients in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and across the Eastern District of New York. Let us help you take control of your defense.

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Case Results
A successful contractor was arrested and charged with felony possession of a loaded firearm and Class C felony possession of marijuana based upon the seizure of these items in a search pursuant to warrant. As has been well advertised, in almost all gun cases in NYC, prosecutors will insist on state prison sentences even for those willing to plead guilty. After presentation of mitigating evidence however, Mr. Sosinsky was able to negotiate a sentence of nine months in jail for his client, meaning his client was out in six months.
A young man who had been a heralded star high school hoopster in Brooklyn was indicted as part of a large multidefendant fraudulent check cashing conspiracy. The client unfortunately had previously been involved in a similar prosecution and worse yet had been arrested during the pendency of the federal case for yet again committing a similar offense. Notwithstanding these hurdles, Mr. Sosinsky was able to convince the federal judge to spare his client a prison sentence and allow him to earn his freedom while on probation.
Mr. Sosinsky represented a prominent attorney accused of assaulting and endangering the welfare of his 13 year son. It turned out that the child was being used as a pawn by the client’s ex-wife and that the incident at the heart of the case involved proper disciplining of a difficult and, at times, violent child. Eventually, the charges against the lawyer were dismissed.
Mr. Sosinsky obtained a verdict of not-guilty of murder in the execution style shooting of a young man involved in gang activities in Harlem, New York City. By demonstrating important differences in the description of the shooter from witnesses called by the prosecution, Mr. Sosinsky was able to raise valid doubts about the correctness of the identifications made at trial.
A few years back, Mr. Sosinsky represented a Manhattan man who was arrested after stabbing his wife in the neck numerous times with a knife in their Upper West Side apartment. The client was indicted for attempted murder. However, after having the client examined by a forensic psychiatrist, it became evident that a compelling insanity defense was in order. Eventually, the prosecutors involved were unable to adequately prepare to counter this defense and the case was dismissed.

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