Clearwater Money Laundering Attorney

Serious Allegations Need Focused Defense

Money laundering allegations are serious, complex, and often overwhelming. These cases frequently involve extensive financial records, electronic data, and detailed investigations by state or federal authorities. These are not simple cases — and they should never be handled without an experienced Clearwater money laundering attorney by your side.

At Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A., we defend people facing money laundering and related financial crime charges. Our attorneys have more than 35 years of combined legal experience, and we are former prosecutors who now stand beside individuals accused of serious offenses. Our experienced criminal defense team provides strategic, aggressive representation for clients facing state and federal financial crime charges in Clearwater and throughout Pinellas County.

We understand how stressful these situations are and we work to protect your rights from the moment you contact us. Reach out to (727) 245-9009, now is the time to act.

Why Choose Our Defense Team

When your future is on the line, choosing the right lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make. Money laundering cases often involve financial records, electronic data, and detailed timelines, and they may move through the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater. You benefit from attorneys who know how local prosecutors think and how these cases typically unfold.

Our lawyers previously served as prosecutors, so we have seen money laundering and other financial cases from the government side. We understand how investigators develop theories about the source of funds, what evidence the State usually relies on, and where weaknesses often appear. We now use that insight to build defenses that challenge assumptions and test whether the State can actually prove its allegations.

With more than three decades of combined criminal law experience, we are comfortable in the courtroom and at the negotiation table. We have handled serious felonies that involve high volumes of documents and sensitive financial information. That background helps us organize complex material and explain it clearly to judges and juries in Clearwater and across Pinellas County.

We also know that no two clients or cases are alike. In money laundering criminal defense Clearwater, a business owner may face very different risks than an employee whose name appears on a few transactions. We take time to learn about your work, your financial practices, and your goals, then we tailor our strategy to those specifics instead of relying on a one size fits all approach.

Throughout your case, our focus remains on communication, responsiveness, and discretion. Clients often worry about who will learn about the charges and how this could affect their reputation. Our firm treats these matters with the privacy and professionalism they deserve, and we keep you informed so that you are never left wondering what is happening or why.

What Is Money Laundering Under Florida Law?

Under Florida’s Money Laundering Act (§ 896.101), money laundering occurs when a person knowingly engages in a financial transaction involving funds derived from unlawful activity with the intent to conceal or disguise the source, ownership, or control of those funds. It can also involve conducting transactions to promote ongoing illegal activity or to avoid state reporting requirements.

Importantly, the law focuses on the knowledge element. Prosecutors must show that the individual knew the property involved represented proceeds from some form of criminal activity — even if they did not know the exact details of that alleged crime.

Money laundering often follows a three-stage process:

• Placement – Introducing illicit funds into the financial system, such as depositing cash into a bank account.
• Layering – Moving the funds through multiple transactions (transfers, wire payments, shell companies, property purchases) to obscure their origin.
• Integration – Reintroducing the funds into the economy in a way that makes them appear legitimate, such as through real estate purchases or business investments.

Under Florida law, money laundering allegations may involve:

• Making bank deposits or wire transfers involving alleged criminal proceeds
• Purchasing real estate or high-value property to conceal the origin of funds
• Using cash-intensive businesses to disguise illegal income
• Structuring transactions to avoid reporting thresholds
• Acting as an unlicensed money transmitter under Florida Statute § 560.123, which is classified as a third-degree felony

Money laundering charges are frequently brought alongside allegations such as fraud, drug offenses, securities violations, or embezzlement. However, not every complex or unusual financial transaction is criminal. Financial records can be misinterpreted, business practices may be misunderstood, and individuals may be accused based on assumptions rather than clear evidence of intent.

What Is Structuring?

One common type of money laundering allegation involves “structuring.”

Federal law requires banks to report cash deposits of $10,000 or more by filing a Currency Transaction Report. Some individuals are accused of intentionally making deposits below $10,000 — such as multiple $9,000 deposits — to avoid triggering reporting requirements.

Even if the money itself is legal, intentionally structuring transactions to evade reporting can lead to criminal charges. These cases often hinge on intent, which makes strong legal representation critical.

How Money Laundering Charges Arise

Historically, money laundering investigations were closely associated with drug trafficking. Large amounts of cash from illegal drug sales were deposited into financial institutions to make the money appear legitimate.

Today, money laundering charges frequently arise in white collar crime investigations, including:

• Securities fraud
• Investment scams
• Identity theft
• Embezzlement
• Business fraud schemes
• Healthcare fraud
• Tax-related offenses

These cases often involve business owners, financial professionals, employees, or individuals whose accounts were used without full knowledge of the alleged criminal activity.

Because the transactions may appear legitimate on the surface, prosecutors must build complex cases relying on financial records, communications, and circumstantial evidence.

Penalties for Money Laundering in Florida

Money laundering is a serious felony offense under Florida law. The severity of the charge — and the potential punishment — depends largely on the amount of money involved in the alleged transactions. Florida classifies money laundering as a first-, second-, or third-degree felony.

Felony Classifications and Prison Exposure

• First-Degree Felony – Typically involves transactions of $100,000 or more and is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
• Second-Degree Felony – Generally involves transactions between $20,000 and $100,000 and carries up to 15 years in prison.
• Third-Degree Felony – Usually applies to transactions between $300 and $20,000 and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

These penalties may be imposed in addition to punishment for any underlying criminal offense that allegedly generated the funds.

Fines and Financial Penalties

In addition to prison time, courts may impose substantial fines, including:

• Fines of up to $250,000 or twice the value of the financial transaction, whichever is greater
• Enhanced fines for repeat offenses, which may reach significantly higher multiples of the transaction value
• Civil penalties that can be assessed separately from criminal sanctions

Asset Forfeiture

Florida law also allows the government to pursue asset forfeiture, meaning the State may attempt to seize property allegedly connected to the offense. This can include:

• Bank accounts
• Real estate
• Vehicles
• Business assets
• Cash and investment accounts

Asset forfeiture proceedings are separate from the criminal case and can move forward even before a conviction.

Federal Charges and Sentencing

Many money laundering cases are prosecuted federally, particularly when transactions cross state lines or involve large financial amounts. Federal penalties can be equally — or even more — severe. Federal sentencing guidelines consider:

• The total amount of funds involved
• The defendant’s prior criminal history
• The nature of the alleged underlying unlawful activity

Judges receive sentencing recommendations based on these guidelines, and while they are not mandatory, they often heavily influence the final sentence.

Long-Term Consequences

Beyond incarceration and fines, a money laundering conviction can have life-altering consequences, including:

• Loss of professional licenses
• Damage to employment prospects
• Immigration consequences for non-citizens
• Ongoing financial hardship
• Lasting reputational harm

Because the stakes are so high, anyone facing money laundering allegations should seek experienced legal representation as early as possible.

Common Misconceptions About Money Laundering

Many people assume money laundering cases only involve organized crime or large-scale drug operations. In reality, these cases now frequently involve white collar allegations and financial disputes.

Another misconception is that money laundering is easy to prove. In fact, prosecutors must demonstrate knowledge and intent — meaning they must show that you knew the funds were connected to criminal activity and intended to conceal them.

Financial transactions alone do not automatically equal criminal conduct.

How Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A. Defends Money Laundering Cases

Once charges are filed, the process can move quickly. In Pinellas County, money laundering cases may begin with a first appearance, where bond and release conditions are addressed, then move to arraignment, status hearings, and, in some situations, trial. During this time, you need a clear sense of what is happening and how choices at each stage affect your future.

Our approach starts with a careful review of the charging documents and the evidence the State has provided. We examine bank records, business ledgers, email communications, and law enforcement reports to see how prosecutors are trying to connect your actions to alleged criminal proceeds. We pay close attention to the timeline of events and to any financial patterns that may have innocent explanations, such as regular business practices or family transfers.

Every case is different, but some common defense themes arise in money laundering criminal defense Clearwater. For example, the State may struggle to prove that you knew the funds were connected to criminal activity, or that your role was anything more than routine work within a larger organization. In other situations, questions can arise about how evidence was obtained, whether searches complied with constitutional requirements, or whether financial activity has been misinterpreted.

Throughout the process, we remain focused on your goals. Some clients prioritize avoiding any felony conviction if possible, while others focus on minimizing incarceration exposure or protecting a professional license. We explain the benefits and risks of paths such as negotiating resolutions or proceeding toward trial, and we help you weigh those options using our experience as former prosecutors and current defense lawyers in Clearwater.

Communication is a central part of how we defend these cases. Complex financial evidence can feel confusing, so we work to translate it into plain language and to answer your questions promptly. Our intention is that you always understand what has happened in your case, what is coming next, and how our strategy is designed to address the State’s allegations.

What To Do If You Are Under Investigation

Some clients come to us after an arrest, while others reach out when something feels wrong but formal charges have not yet been filed. Early signs of a money laundering investigation can include questions from detectives, notices about account issues, or subpoenas for bank records and business documents. How you respond at this stage can significantly affect your case.

Many people feel tempted to explain everything to investigators in hopes of clearing up a misunderstanding. That instinct is understandable, but talking without counsel can create statements that prosecutors later use in ways you did not expect. It is also risky to move, alter, or destroy records, even when you are simply trying to organize your information.

If you believe you are under investigation for money laundering:

• Do not speak to investigators without an attorney.
• Do not attempt to explain transactions on your own.
• Preserve all financial records and communications.
• Contact a Clearwater money laundering attorney immediately.

Early intervention can significantly affect how a case develops.

Speak With a Clearwater Money Laundering Attorney Today

Money laundering allegations can feel intimidating and isolating. But you do not have to face them alone.

At Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A., we provide focused, strategic criminal defense for individuals facing complex financial crime charges in Clearwater and throughout Pinellas County. We understand the stakes — your freedom, your livelihood, and your future — and we fight to protect them. The sooner we begin, the stronger your defense can be.

If you are under investigation or have been charged with money laundering, contact our Clearwater office today at (727) 245-9009 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What penalties could I face for money laundering in Florida?

Money laundering is generally charged as a felony in Florida, and penalties can include prison, fines, and asset forfeiture. The potential sentence usually depends on the amount involved and any related offenses. We can review the specific allegations in your case and explain the range of outcomes that courts may consider.

How soon should I contact a lawyer if I am under investigation?

You should contact a lawyer as soon as you suspect an investigation. Early advice can help you avoid harmful statements, protect important records, and prepare for possible charges. Our attorneys regularly speak with people at this stage and can help you decide what to do next.

Will our conversations about my case be confidential?

Yes, discussions between you and our attorneys are generally protected by attorney client confidentiality. That protection allows you to be candid so we can understand your situation and provide meaningful guidance. We also emphasize discretion in how we handle your matter, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Have your attorneys handled serious financial crime cases before?

Our attorneys have significant experience with serious criminal cases that involve complex evidence, including financial records. As former prosecutors, we have worked on matters where money movement and intent were central issues. We now use that background to defend clients accused of money laundering and other serious offenses.

What can I expect at my first meeting with your firm?

During your first meeting, we listen to your story, ask focused questions about the investigation or charges, and review any documents you bring. We then explain how Florida law may apply, outline potential next steps, and discuss how our firm approaches representation so you can decide whether to move forward with us.