Fort Lauderdale Fraud Defense Attorney

National news recently made by a couple residing in south Florida who were charged with welfare fraud in Minnesota while receiving government assistance during their residence in Florida. The warrant states that Colin and Andrea Chisholm had been living in the Miami area on an elaborate yacht, which was apparently fit for royalty. They later moved to a home in the Hialeah area. Colin Chisholm allegedly had set up numerous false businesses under the name Lord Colin Chisholm III, along with his wife Lady Chisholm.The couple was initially charged by the prosecutor in Hennepin County, Minnesota, but records have also revealed they were also drawing public assistance from the state of Florida. The benefits listed in the charge from Minnesota were received between Jan. 1, 2005 and May 31, 2012. The couple was arrested upon arrival in Ft. Lauderdale after being deported from the Bahamas, which is not a U.S territory. The arrest warrant was issued and announced by Minnesota’s Hennepin County Attorney office on March 21, 2014.

The Chisholms were each charged with one count of wrongfully obtaining public assistance in the form of cash payments, SNAP benefits, and medical benefits in excess of $35,000, which is a felony charge. The warrant states that the total amount of benefits received from Minnesota was over $165,000, but did not specify amounts for each benefit class. The couple had originally claimed they were living in Andrea Chisholm’s mother’s home in Minnesota, but moved to Florida shortly after beginning receiving benefits from the state.

In most cases, this couple would have the protection of fighting extradition from Florida, but it appears that they will be needing the services of a Fort Lauderdale fraud defense attorney, as they have also been indicted by the state of Florida for the same offense. Although no details have been released from the Florida charge, they are being held without bond in Fort Lauderdale after having their $1.2 million yacht confiscated upon arrest.

Anyone who finds themselves facing charges of fraud and misrepresentation in the southern Florida region should contact the criminal defense law firm of Hassett & Associates, P.A., with law offices in both Broward and Dade County. With a primary office location in Davie, Florida, they are an experienced and effective law firm practicing criminal defense specifically in fraud cases. All states require defendants to retain attorneys who are licensed to practice in the prosecuting state court system.