In White Collar Criminal Law Explained, join Professor Randall D. Eliason of The George Washington University Law School for an in-depth investigation of how federal white collar crime prosecutions work-and why they sometimes don't. Over 24 lessons, you'll learn how prosecutors pursue white collar crimes, including fraud, bribery, obstruction of justice, extortion, perjury, money laundering, and more.
White Collar Criminal Law Explained
Join an acclaimed law school professor to explore the legally treacherous terrain of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and other white collar crimes.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
greengrad from
Very engaging course!
I am a physician so the mention of lawyers tends to bring out hives. However I thought this course would be interesting and it exceeded my expectations. I very much enjoyed the Professor's presentation style (Randall D Eliason) and the course is quite timely and appropriate considering the current legal climate. Recommend it highly!
Date published: 2023-10-01
Rated 5 out of
5
by
zathrus from
fantastic in content and presentation
I am a retired lawyer having not practiced in the white collar crime area. If the area interests you at all then I cannot recommend this course highly enough. It is comprehensive and informed me about many areas I had little knowledge of. The presentation was one of, if not the best, I have experienced. Note, I have taken dozens and dozens of Wondrium courses. It is clear that the presenter has handled many trials in front of many juries. He is low key yet enthusiastic with a decent clever, and enjoyable sense of humor. Even his wardrobe is immaculate and he rivals Prof. Sean Carroll for best Wondrium dresser. . As a lawyer, I cannot help but appreciate the lecturer's intellect and demeanor. I am glad I never had to face the lecturer as a legal opponent. in my career. From my lawyer's perspective the course is close to a work of art. Even the screen exhibits were concise and perfectly prepared and used only when needed.
In summary if you have any interest in the area of white collar crime then this course is a must. It does get slightly tedious in the necessary details of the law but keep listening and watching. The pain is short lived and the revelations many. This course gets my highest recommendation.
Date published: 2023-01-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Dr James J Stewart from
A good and useful course
Useful for those interested in white collar crime, and who want to understand what it is and how it is addressed in the justice system. The professor is experienced and objective - in particular, he is not anti-business, as so many academics are now.
Date published: 2022-06-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
srobinson from
many of the great courses are excellent
the tremendous amount of facts in the gC make the courses excellent reminds me of college and courses- the same as science news science daily tech org science american sci news-which has an enormous amount of facts-based in Eureka CA and science daily in maryland- the best universities-
Date published: 2022-03-08
Rated 3 out of
5
by
disinterested from
Balanced discussion despite prosecutor perspective
The course fits with my exploration of how government works. The lectures are informative for the topics presented. However, the greater value is the perspective the presenter gives about how decisions are made and the dynamics between the courts and the congress, and the role the cases have in shaping the law. White collar crime is a great canvas to explore how the system works. I would like similarly balanced lectures on other aspects of law. I have watched the series Law School for Everyone, but I think this lecture is different in at least suggesting some shortcomings about our current process, at least that is what I picked up and appreciated.
Date published: 2022-01-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Joseph Conti from
Great course
This course covered areas that I was most interested in bit could not find elsewhere with such good coverage (e.g. grand jury; fraud; bribery, etc.). Highly recommended.
Date published: 2021-11-14
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Robert22066 from
Should be Mandatory
Released 2020 and highly relevant, although many examples chosen are more than a decade old. About as much material is presented as can be covered in 24 lectures. A notable deficiency is tax avoidance and evasion; how a billionaire could avoid paying tax. This is the reason for the four star rating. The unfortunate lecture 23 could be replaced, by another professor if necessary.
The lecturer makes the categorical statement "immoral and unethical is not criminal". This statement is important to understand Supreme Court decisions later referenced.
Visuals are useful but not critical. The lecturer speaks clearly and in logical phrases.
Highly recommended. This course should be a mandatory part of US civics education.
Date published: 2020-12-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
JALIII from
Excellent Presentation and Timely Topic
I would like to add my "thumbs up" to this very well presented course. Prof. Eliason is professional in his delivery, yet always knows when to stop and explain a fine point in the discussion. Other reviewers have made it clear how very well the subject is covered. I feel video bullet points and outlines help keep things clear during nuanced explanations. From Ponzi to Madoff to Enron and Manafort - it's all here. The best part is being able to apply what I've learned today to tomorrow's news!
Date published: 2020-11-25
Overview
About
Randall D. Eliason is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at The George Washington University Law School. He received his JD cum laude from Harvard Law School and spent 12 years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. He authors a blog on white collar crime and federal criminal law called Sidebars, and his writings have been published in scholarly journals, legal periodicals, and national newspapers. He is a two-time recipient of the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award at The George Washington University Law School.
Trailer
01: Defining White collar Crime
There’s no section in the US criminal code captioned “white collar crimes.” So what, exactly, is a white collar crime? What sets white collar apart from other areas of criminal law? Why do these crimes—and the criminals who commit them—captivate the public? In this lecture, establish a solid legal framework for the lessons ahead.
33 min
02: Anatomy of a Federal White Collar Case
In this lesson, study the federal prosecution of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, as a window into how a federal white collar case works its way through the criminal justice system. Topics include the structure of the federal courts and Department of Justice and the critical role of federal prosecutors.
32 min
03: The Power of the Federal Grand Jury
The federal grand jury has tremendous power in the US justice system—yet for many of us, the grand jury process remains shrouded in mystery. In the first of two lessons on what a federal grand jury is and how it operates, Professor Eliason pulls back the curtain and reveals the inner workings of this important institution.
30 min
04: Grand Jury Procedure and Search Warrants
Continue your look at federal grand juries by considering one of their most distinctive features: secrecy. Along the way, consider why a good federal prosecutor should disclose exculpatory information to a grand jury; what information qualifies as protected grand jury material; and the importance (and practical limitations) of another investigative tool, search warrants.
30 min
05: Mail and Wire Fraud and the Nature of Fraud
Two of the most popular statutes that federal prosecutors of white collar crime have at their disposal are mail and wire fraud. After considering the relatively straightforward elements of mail and wire fraud, turn to the heart of both crimes: the scheme or artifice to defraud.
29 min
06: The Limits of Mail and Wire Fraud
One area that defines the outer boundaries of mail and wire fraud involves the definition of “property.” After examining Supreme Court cases that sought to answer the question of what qualifies as property, focus on the “in furtherance” requirement and its role in the landmark 1989 case of Schmuck v. United States.
30 min
07: Honest Services Fraud and Its Evolution
In an honest services fraud case, there’s no need to show that victims suffered a monetary loss; instead, a prosecutor has to show they were deprived of their intangible right to honest services. As you explore the evolution of this criminal theory, learn why its most common use is to prosecute political corruption.
32 min
08: Conspiracy: A Partnership in Crime
Conspiracy is one of the most common types of federal crimes charged. Professor Eliason reveals the benefits of a conspiracy charge for the prosecution, the reasons why we prosecute conspiracy, the elements of a conspiracy charge, and the two prongs of the primary federal conspiracy statute: 18 U.S.C. section 371.
29 min
09: Common Issues in Conspiracy Cases
In this lesson, consider the elements of a criminal conspiracy in greater detail. Central to the discussion are common issues that arise in conspiracy cases, including proving the agreement, proving the scope of the conspiracy, the “overt act” requirement, and the possibility of withdrawing from a conspiracy.
29 min
10: Public Corruption: Bribery and Gratuities
Bribery is the quintessential public corruption offense: a public official who accepts something of personal value to be influenced in the performance of some official act. After discussing bribery and the related offense of gratuities, Professor Eliason also covers two major Supreme Court decisions that dramatically limited the scope of these statutes.
31 min
11: Extortion by Public Officials
The Hobbs Act defines extortion as the “obtaining of property from another, with his consent, induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right.” What elements of extortion must prosecutors prove beyond a reasonable doubt? And why is the phrase “under color of official right” so controversial?
29 min
12: The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
One of our most important laws for fighting corruption overseas was born in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. In this lesson, unpack the importance of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the basis of prosecutions (sometimes of non-US companies) that have resulted in some of the largest financial settlements in US history.
31 min
13: Securities Fraud and Insider Trading
To many people, insider trading is the textbook example of a white collar crime. Go inside the somewhat controversial legal theories involved in these prosecutions, which seek to maintain investor confidence in the securities market and establish (and maintain) a somewhat level playing field for investors.
32 min
14: Perjury and the Law of Cover-Up Crimes
In the first of several lessons on “cover-up crimes” (crimes committed to conceal other misconduct), examine the topic of perjury, or lying under oath. Unpack the two principal federal perjury statutes; learn the elements required to prove a charge of perjury; and consider the role ambiguity plays in perjury cases.
32 min
15: False Statements and Concealment
When you lie to the federal government, it’s not just wrong—it could land you in prison. Learn why charges of giving false statements are extremely common in white collar cases; analyze the breadth and simplicity of the federal false statements statute; and explore how this charge can help the government prove criminal intent or guilty knowledge.
29 min
16: Obstruction of Justice
Obstruction of justice covers a wide variety of misconduct, including tampering with witnesses, threatening jurors, and destroying evidence. After examining the primary obstruction of justice statutes, probe leading Supreme Court cases dealing with this white collar crime, including United States v. Aguilar and Arthur Andersen LLP v. United States.
33 min
17: Money Laundering Basics
Prosecuting money laundering continues to be a major priority for the Department of Justice. In the first of two lectures on this crime, examine the elements of domestic money laundering, then explore them in the context of two early cases: United States v. Jackson and United States v. Campbell.
32 min
18: Laundering Money across the US Border
Turn now to the international money laundering statute, 18 U.S.C. section 1956(a)(2), which requires that the funds in question be transported across the US border. One area of international money laundering you’ll investigate is cash purchases of US real estate by corrupt foreign officials—a primary laundering vehicle.
31 min
19: Conspiracy on Steroids: The RICO Statute
When Congress passed the RICO statute—short for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act—it primarily had organized crime in mind. First, see the benefits and drawbacks of the statute through the eyes of a white collar prosecutor. Then, better understand the specific elements of a RICO charge.
32 min
20: Hacking and Other Computer Crimes
In our increasingly digital age, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is a powerful tool for federal prosecutors to combat cyberattacks against individuals, organizations, and even the entire country. Review the seven different sections of the CFAA, each of which applies to a different type of computer crime and comes with different requirements.
33 min
21: Corporate Criminal Liability
Today, many legal experts question the rationale for corporate criminal liability, and some even suggest it should be abolished altogether. How did a Supreme Court case over 100 years old set the standards that still govern corporate criminal liability today? And why is there a growing reluctance to indict and prosecute companies for criminal activity?
31 min
22: Plea Bargains and Immunity Deals
Over 95% of all criminal prosecutions, including white collar prosecutions, are resolved short of trial by way of a plea bargain. In this lesson, focus on three tools critical to the white collar prosecutor seeking to build a case involving serious criminal misconduct: plea agreements, cooperation agreements, and immunity deals.
30 min
23: Defending the White Collar Case
Professor Eliason sits down with Michael N. Levy for a look at white collar crime from the perspective of a defense lawyer—another critical legal player in any white collar case. It’s a chance for you to eavesdrop on an insightful, extemporaneous Q&A session that will add to your understanding of the nuances of white collar crimes.
35 min
24: Sentencing White Collar Criminals
Once guilt is established by a plea or a trial, the last part of the criminal process remains: sentencing. Start by examining the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which help the court fashion an appropriate sentence; then, look at United States v. Booker, the Supreme Court case that turned these guidelines from mandatory to merely advisory.
32 min
