White-Collar Criminal Law with Authority Experience — Your Defense Lawyer for Economic Crime

As a certified specialist attorney for tax law (Fachanwalt für Steuerrecht) and a former tax-authority official, I defend you competently across every area of white-collar criminal law. My rare combination of insider knowledge of the authorities, tax expertise, and criminal-defense craft secures you an effective defense in economic-crime proceedings.

My White-Collar Criminal-Law Services

Classic Economic Offenses

  • Fraud (§ 263 StGB) — defense against fraud allegations of every kind
  • Breach of trust / embezzlement (§ 266 StGB) — managing directors and board members
  • Corruption offenses — bribery and the granting of advantages
  • Money laundering (§ 261 StGB) — defense against money-laundering allegations
  • Forgery of documents — manipulation of business records

Insolvency Criminal Law

  • Delayed insolvency filing (§ 15a InsO) — defense of managing directors
  • Bankruptcy offenses (§ 283 StGB) — in cases of asset shifting
  • Preferential treatment of creditors — unlawfully favoring individual creditors
  • Breach of accounting duties — deficient record-keeping

Subsidy and Social-Security Criminal Law

  • Subsidy fraud (§ 264 StGB) — COVID aid and other public funding
  • Social-security fraud (§ 266a StGB) — bogus self-employment
  • Employer obligations — unremitted social-security contributions
  • Proof of use — incorrect use of funds

What Makes White-Collar Criminal Law Special

Complexity and Consequences

Economic offenses are by no means trivial — they’re often punished with multi-year prison sentences. These cases are marked by particular complexity:

  • Extensive investigation files running to thousands of pages
  • Complex commercial contexts that demand specialist knowledge
  • Lengthy proceedings — often several years
  • Considerable reputational damage to companies and executives

In white-collar cases, what’s at stake is not just your personal defense but often the survival of the business:

  • Avoiding confiscation of profits at the company level
  • Reputation protection — discreet case management
  • Keeping the business running during the investigation
  • Preventing procurement bans and professional disqualifications

Typical Investigative Measures in White-Collar Cases

Searches and Seizures

During a search, companies should make no spontaneous statements and should call for legal counsel at once:

  • On-site coordination during searches
  • Protecting trade secrets during seizures
  • Documenting every investigative measure
  • Identifying documents exempt from seizure

Questioning and Witness Support

  • Preparation for questioning as an accused person or witness
  • Accompaniment during questioning by the tax-investigation unit and the prosecution
  • Witness support for employees and business partners
  • Advice on the right to remain silent — when making a statement makes sense

As a former tax-authority official with experience in the revenue administration, I know the authorities’ investigative strategies from the inside:

  • Insider knowledge of official investigative tactics
  • Familiarity with the weak points in investigations
  • An understanding of commercial contexts and tax questions
  • Effective, eye-level communication with the investigating authorities

This expertise is especially valuable because white-collar cases often grow out of tax audits and carry tax implications.

Who Needs a White-Collar Criminal Defense?

Managing Directors and Board Members

  • In allegations of delayed insolvency filing
  • In breach-of-trust and asset offenses
  • In corruption investigations

Tax Advisors and Auditors

  • In claims for damages over advisory errors
  • In allegations of aiding tax evasion
  • In breaches of confidentiality duties
  • For professional protection

Frequently Asked Questions About White-Collar Criminal Law

How does white-collar criminal law differ from ordinary criminal law?
White-collar criminal law concerns offenses in a business context and calls for additional understanding of commercial relationships and tax law.
Can a company itself be punished?
Yes. Under § 30 of the German Administrative Offenses Act (OWiG), corporate fines of up to €10 million can be imposed on companies.
When should I bring in a defense lawyer?
At the latest once an investigation comes to light — but ideally already at the stage of initial suspicion, to minimize legal risk.
What should I bear in mind with subsidy fraud?
With subsidy fraud, criminal liability can arise even before any financial gain occurs — the threshold is lower than for other fraud offenses.

Emergency Contact for Criminal Investigations

Is the Prosecution or the Tax-Investigation Unit at Your Door?

Take advantage of my free initial assessment for your criminal matter. As an experienced defense lawyer with tax expertise and authority experience, I’ll analyze your case and develop a tailored defense strategy.

Contact me for a no-obligation consultation:
📞 Emergency line: 0176 – 672 373 20
📧 Email: hoefer@port7.de
🏢 Office: Am Mittelhafen 16, 48155 Münster

Fast Help with White-Collar Investigations

Economic offenses are not infrequently committed unknowingly or without any obvious criminal intent — don’t hesitate to seek professional help the moment an investigation or search begins. As a defense lawyer with a head for business, I’m ready to assist you in word and deed.

Why Choose My Firm for White-Collar Criminal Law?

  • Dual qualification: certified specialist for tax law with criminal-defense experience
  • Business understanding: getting to the legal heart of complex commercial transactions
  • Discretion: reputation protection for you and your company
  • Client focus: individual attention and a personal point of contact
  • Transparency: clear fee structures and plain-language communication

Professional defense in fraud, breach of trust, delayed insolvency filing, subsidy fraud, and all economic offenses. A former tax-authority official with insider knowledge for a successful defense.