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What constitutes embezzlement in North Carolina?

On Behalf of | Feb 12, 2015 | White Collar Crimes |

Being accused of a white collar crime in North Carolina can be a devastating blow. Not only does one face penalties such as incarceration and fines, but they may also find their professional reputation has been torn to shreds. Unfortunately, people are quick to judge even before a trial, and a person accused of a white collar crime might not only lose their job, but find that their future job prospects are bleak as well. For these reasons, it is important to understand the various types of white collar crimes. One of these crimes is embezzlement.

In particular, today we are looking at embezzlement of property obtained by people in specific employments or offices. The North Carolina statute that covers this type of crimes is Article 18 section 14-90. It applies to several categories of people. It applies to those who hold a public office, fiduciaries including executors and trustees, those who exercise a public trust, agents or officers of corporations and clerks, servants, consignees or bailees who are 16-years-old or older.

According to the statute, a person is guilty of embezzlement if they either knowingly and purposefully or fraudulently convert to their own use, misapply or intentionally and secretly take away goods, money or other property that does not belong to them, including any valuable security or closing funds. The property being embezzled must belong to a corporation, person or an unincorporated organization or association. Embezzlement is a felony crime in North Carolina.

As this shows, while serious, the crime of embezzlement is also complex. When charged with a crime like embezzlement, a person needs to craft a strong defense. Seeking legal advice from an embezzlement defense lawyer can be one step a person can take to learn more about the crime of embezzlement and how it affects them.

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