Asked on justanswer.com -- I have embezzled over $30,000 from a dental practice that I worked in. What should I do?

Alex Esquire :Are you online with me?

Customer:yes
Alex Esquire :Hello and welcome to JustAnswer.com
Customer:do you have a suggestion for fixing this mess?
Alex Esquire :I am sorry to hear about your difficult situation.
Alex Esquire :Did anyone know about this embezzlement as of yet?
Customer:my mistake. Am I speaking with a live person?
Alex Esquire :Yes.
Alex Esquire :I am a live person and also I am a licensed attorney.
Customer:My husband knows, I told the doc that I had taken $1350 and wanted to repay it. I did repay it. But I did not tell him the whole truth. I am guessing at the amount.
Alex Esquire :However I can only provide you with a general legal answer and not with any type of legal advise or opinion.
Customer:ok

Alex Esquire :Do you have the ability to repay the entire amount that had been embezzled?
Customer:yes

Alex Esquire :Well, unfortunately, even if you repay the entire amount, your employer can still report this crime to the police and you could still be fully prosecuted for this felony embezzlement.
Alex Esquire :The best and only option is for you to consult and retain a local criminal defense attorney, who can approach your employer and negotiate a resolution of this matter and hopefully this local attorney can avoid the possibility of you being charged with this serious felony crime.
Alex Esquire :Do you have any related follow up questions?
Customer:ok. So I need to retain an atty before going to the doc?
Alex Esquire :ABSOLUTELY.
Alex Esquire :An experienced local criminal defense attorney can approach your employer in a manner that might help resolve this situation without criminal prosecution.
Customer:Ok. What is the probability I will go to jail? It was done over the course of 2 yrs. I basically just put the pymts in as a credit card and then kept the cash. I am guessing on the low end $30K and the high end $50K.

Alex Esquire :It would be hard to predict whether even if you do get charged with a crime of the felony embezzlement if you would go to jail, as that would depend on many different factors.
Alex Esquire :I would strongly suggest that you do not do anything without first consulting and hiring a local criminal attorney, as the risks of criminal prosecution are extremely high and you need a skilled attorney to protect your rights.
Customer:it's still better for me to go forward than to wait and get caught correct?

Alex Esquire :No.
Alex Esquire :You should not go forward without an attorney on your side.
Alex Esquire :What made you embezzle this money and what did you use it for?
Customer:Ok. I will start looking for an attorney tomorrow

Alex Esquire :You can use these well trusted and reliable attorney information/referral websites to find a local experienced criminal defense attorney:
Alex Esquire :www.martindale.com
Alex Esquire :www.lexmundi.com
Alex Esquire :www.justia.com
Customer: I don't even have a reason. I was working with a slimy dentist..I couldn't seem to quit..so I took the cash. There is no real reason or excuse. I just want to make it right.

Alex Esquire :I completely understand.
Customer:If I approach him before I get caught..is this better?

Alex Esquire :Well, try to stop taking money from this dental practice and start looking for a good local criminal defense attorney who would be able to review your entire situation and would advise on the best legal approach to resolve this situation.
Customer: ok. I am no longer employed there. I quit. I will start looking for an atty tomorrow. Thank you.

Alex Esquire :It is better in most cases to try to resolve the problem before the crime is discovered.
Alex Esquire :Thank you and I wish you and your family best of luck!
Customer: thank you

 

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