Blog
News & Articles
Criminal defense attorney, Lorraine Gauli-Rufo shares news and articles pertaining to criminal and federal law.
Honest Services Fraud
The Supreme Court issued two opinions limiting the scope of federal fraud statutes that prohibit “honest services fraud” in Ciminelli v. United States and Percoco v. United States. 18 U.S.C. § 1346 states, “a scheme or artifice to defraud includes a scheme or artifice...
Taylor Update
In United States v. Taylor, the Supreme Court held that attempted Hobbs Act robbery does not qualify as a “crime of violence” under 18 U.S.C. §924(c). Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3), “crime of violence” is defined as a felony offense and “has an element the use,...
Wire Fraud
What constitutes wire fraud? Wire fraud is a federal crime that occurs when communications are transmitted using a wire. This encompasses all forms of electronic media including cell phones, fax machines, radio transmission, email, social media, as well as SMA and...
Aggravated Identity Theft
On June 8, 2023, the Supreme Court decided Dubin v. U.S, 599 U.S. ___ (2023), which dealt with the applicability 18 §1028A(a)(1), the federal aggravated identity theft statute, which has a two-year mandatory minimum prison sentence. The Government uses it frequently...
Federal Agencies
What are the Various Federal Investigation Agencies? Federal criminal offenses are investigated by different federal agencies. While federal criminal charges are ultimately brought by the United States Attorney’s Office, their investigators are performed by the...
Grand Jury Target Letters, Subpoenas, Federal Investigations and Classifications
Grand Jury Target Letters, Subpoenas, Federal Investigations and Classifications Many people contact our firm after they have been contacted by a federal agency or the United States Attorney’s Office, and informed that they are a witness, subject or target of a...
Early Termination of Federal Probation or Supervised Release
Here are LGR Law, LLC, we represent many individuals in their requests for early termination of probation (18 U.S. Code § 3565(c)) or for early termination of supervised release (18 USC§ 3583(e)). Both statutes require that the client have served at least one year...
Lora v. United States – Defending federal charges
Last month, the Supreme Court decided Lora v. United States, holding that 18 USC § 924(j) may be imposed either consecutively or concurrently. Efraim Lora was convicted of a violation of § 924(j), which penalizes using a gun during a drug or violent crime to "cause...
United States Sentencing Guidelines Amendments
United States Sentencing Guidelines Amendments to take Effect November 1, 2023 The federal sentencing guidelines are being amended in areas that will affect many people convicted of federal crimes. A summary of some of the important changes is set forth below....