Experienced Macon White Collar Crime Defense Attorney

Last updated on August 12, 2026

A white collar crime can have a significant impact on a person’s life and well-being. A simple mistake does not go away easily.

I am Keith Fitzgerald, a Georgia white collar crime defense attorney and founder of Fitzgerald Law. With more than 15 years of experience practicing criminal law in Macon, I have protected countless clients from the serious legal repercussions of complex financial crimes. I handle white collar cases in both Georgia and federal courts.

Common Types Of White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes are typically nonviolent illegal activities involving alleged deceit or manipulation for financial gain. Some common types of white collar crimes include:

• Fraud: This involves intentionally deceiving a person or an institution for financial or personal gain. In the digital and corporate space, this manifests as wire fraud, bank fraud or healthcare fraud (such as Medicare overbilling). To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove a specific intent to defraud, making the paper trail and electronic communication records the primary battlegrounds for the defense.
• Identity theft: This is when someone illegally obtains and uses another person’s private identifying information – such as a Social Security number, banking details or digital credentials – for financial gain. Because this crime almost always utilizes computer networks or online credit applications, it is routinely prosecuted under both Georgia’s strict identity fraud statutes and federal cybercrime laws, carrying mandatory and often consecutive prison sentences upon conviction.
• Embezzlement: This is typically when an individual who was legally entrusted with managing money or property misappropriates it for their own personal use. Commonly charged against corporate executives, accountants or trusted employees, embezzlement hinges on a violation of the person’s legal duties. A strong defense often relies on forensic accountants to challenge whether the funds were actually misappropriated or if the issue stems from poor bookkeeping without criminal intent.
• Insider trading: When a someone buys or sells a public company’s stock or securities based on material, nonpublic confidential information. This offense generally violates federal securities laws and is aggressively monitored by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Defending against these charges requires a highly technical analysis of trading timelines and market data and proving whether the accused actually knew the information was confidential at the time of the trade.
• Tax evasion: The deliberate underpayment or non-payment of taxes by falsely reporting income, hiding assets or claiming improper deductions on tax returns. Unlike a standard civil tax audit or a simple math mistake, criminal tax evasion requires the government to prove you willfully violated the law. These investigations can be incredibly slow and meticulous, usually led by the IRSs Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) division or the Georgia Department of Revenue.
• Bribery: This is the act of offering, giving, receiving or soliciting money or valuables to influence the actions of a person in a position of power, such as paying government officials or corporate executives for favorable treatment. In Georgia, bribery charges can ruin a professional career overnight, and the legal definition extends beyond cash to include kickbacks, lavish gifts or preferential business favors.
• RICO / Racketeering: To secure a RICO conviction, prosecutors do not just look at a single isolated incident. They must prove the existence of an “enterprise” that engaged in a “pattern of racketeering activity.” This requires showing that at least two distinct predicate crimes (such as fraud, extortion, embezzlement or bribery) were committed within a specific timeframe to advance the enterprise’s goals.

White collar crime accusations often involve people in business roles or who have access to large amounts of money. An accusation is not proof, but the reputational harm can be harsh and immediate.

When White Collar Crimes And Drug Crimes Intersect

A drug charge is already a serious matter. When prosecutors add allegations of a financial crime, the legal challenges grow immensely. You may face an aggressive investigation from both state and federal agencies.

This overlap often happens in specific situations. For example, prosecutors may charge a person with money laundering to try to hide profits from drug sales through a legitimate business. A health care professional could face charges for prescription fraud for illegally distributing controlled substances. In other cases, an individual might face tax evasion charges for failing to report income from drug trafficking.

Defending against these overlapping charges demands a lawyer who understands both financial crime defense and drug law. As your attorney, my job is to build strategic defenses that address each element of your case, challenge evidence collection methods and work to reduce charges when possible.

How An Attorney Can Defend You From Serious Repercussions

As your criminal defense lawyer, I can protect your legal rights, gather evidence, argue a lack of criminal intent, challenge the government’s argument, and potentially get the charges against you reduced or even dismissed. If that is not possible, I can fight for a lesser sentence or an acquittal at trial.

Frequently Asked Questions About White Collar Crimes

Want to learn more about white collar crimes? Here, I have provided answers to a few questions you may have to expand your knowledge:

What is the punishment for white collar crime in Georgia?

A white collar crime could be charged at both the state and federal levels. Depending on the charge, you could face a misdemeanor or felony conviction, which often yields incarceration and fines.

What is the average sentence for a white collar crime?

The average sentence for a white collar crime is two to four years behind bars. However, every case is different. A white collar conviction could lead to upward of 20 years and $100,000 in fines depending on the severity of a charge. My goal is to reduce the charges you face and potentially cast doubt on the crimes.

Can you get probation for white collar crime?

Yes. With a strong legal defense, it is possible to reduce your punishment to just probation instead of incarceration. Probation may include community service requirements.

Talk To An Experienced Attorney About Your Case

For a free consultation, reach out to Fitzgerald Law by calling my Macon office at 478-787-4480. Or, contact me online. I defend people in both Georgia and federal courts.