Leland Wong, once known as a power broker in City Hall, is under investigation for bribery and his defense attorney is claiming that there is a steamroller of an investigation pitted against him.
Prosecutors are alleging that Wong accepted bribes of up to $100,000 by a Taiwanese company looking to make some headway in a lease negotiation. Wong's attorney is claiming that there is merely an "illusion of evidence" and that the prosecution is distorting Wong's relationship with the company.
Wong has been tied together with a "witch-hunt" that seeks to take down people who were part of former Mayor James K. Hahn's administration.
White collar crimes such as bribery, and related crimes such as extortion and embezzlement are taken very seriously in Los Angeles. These crimes are taken especially seriously if they are tied to any sort of local or state government, government entity or political organization. Bribery, fraud, embezzlement and extortion are also great fodder for the media, because it makes a great headline if a school principal is arrested for stealing money from a school (even if the principal has been wrongly accused).
Crimes such as embezzlement can be treated as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the severity of the crime and the skill of the defense attorney handling the matter. First offenses may bring fines, but continued offenses will almost definitely bring jail time and other serious consequences. Depending upon the dollar amount involved in the crime, a Grand Theft charge may even come into play, which carries serious jail time and more.
A skilled attorney will assist you in navigating the tricky waters in a case like the one mentioned, whether it's discussing a trial or a settlement. Embezzlement is a serious crime, as is bribery, and it's necessary to invest in a skilled defense attorney to handle such matters.
