Maryland Criminal Defense · Baltimore City · Baltimore County · Statewide
Maryland Criminal Defense · Baltimore City · Baltimore County · Statewide
From wire fraud and bank fraud to securities fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and RICO — federal fraud charges carry years in federal prison and sentencing guidelines that compound quickly. Allan Rombro has defended federal fraud and white collar cases in U.S. District Court since 1989.
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Federal fraud charges are not limited to billion-dollar corporate scandals or powerful executives defrauding investors. A federal indictment can happen to anyone — individuals who made one bad decision, those caught up in someone else’s scheme, and in some cases people who are entirely innocent but swept up in a complex investigation.
What makes federal fraud particularly dangerous is the scope and reach of federal statutes. Federal fraud law covers virtually every form of financial deception — and prosecutors frequently “stack” multiple counts across multiple statutes to maximize sentencing exposure. A single transaction can give rise to wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy charges simultaneously — each carrying its own sentence.
The Law Offices of Allan Rombro defends all federal fraud and white collar charges in the U.S. District Court of Maryland. Allan Rombro has been admitted to federal court since 1989 and has defended clients in bank fraud, financial scheme, and white collar cases throughout that career. His recent federal cases have included bank fraud, high-volume financial schemes, tax evasion, and internet-based fraud.
We are aggressive criminal defense advocates, determined to succeed. Because prosecutors know we are serious about going to trial, we are often able to obtain reduced charges or favorable resolutions before a case ever reaches the courtroom. Call immediately — the earlier you act, the more options you have.
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18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 & 1343
Using electronic communications or the postal system to further a scheme to defraud. Among the most broadly charged federal offenses — each email, call, or mailing in furtherance of a scheme is a separate count. Frequently charged alongside bank fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
18 U.S.C. § 1344
Executing or attempting to execute a scheme to defraud a federally insured financial institution, or to obtain money under false pretenses. Mortgage fraud, check fraud, loan application fraud, and account takeover schemes all routinely result in federal bank fraud charges.
15 U.S.C. §§ 78j, 78ff; 18 U.S.C. § 1348
Misrepresentations or omissions about investments, Ponzi schemes, insider trading, pump-and-dump schemes, and market manipulation. Investigated by the SEC and DOJ; securities fraud carries up to 20 years per count under federal law.
26 U.S.C. § 7201; 18 U.S.C. § 287
Deliberate failure to pay taxes owed, underreporting income, filing false returns, hiding assets offshore, and employment tax fraud. Investigated by IRS-CI agents who work directly with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Allan Rombro's recent federal cases have included tax evasion defense.
18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 & 1957
Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money through financial transactions. Almost always charged alongside the underlying fraud offense — money laundering adds substantial prison exposure and triggers mandatory forfeiture of all funds and property involved in the scheme.
18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act allows prosecutors to charge individuals who participate in an "enterprise" engaged in a pattern of racketeering — including fraud, extortion, and bribery. RICO carries up to 20 years per count and mandatory forfeiture of all enterprise assets.
18 U.S.C. § 1347; 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b
False billing, kickbacks, upcoding, and fraudulent Medicare/Medicaid claims. Prosecuted aggressively by HHS-OIG and the DOJ. Carries up to 10 years standard, 20 years if serious bodily injury results, and life imprisonment if death results from the fraud.
18 U.S.C. § 287; 31 U.S.C. § 3729
False claims against the U.S. government — including PPP and EIDL COVID relief fraud, procurement fraud, SBA loan fraud, and contract billing fraud. False Claims Act violations carry civil treble damages plus criminal penalties. Federal enforcement has intensified significantly since 2021.
In federal fraud cases, the recommended prison sentence is driven primarily by the “loss table” in the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines — not just the statute you are charged under. The larger the financial loss attributed to the scheme, the more offense levels are added to your base score, dramatically increasing the sentencing range.
This loss calculation is one of the most aggressively contested aspects of federal fraud defense. The government often attributes the entire loss of a conspiracy to every participant — even those with minimal involvement. Challenging the loss amount, the causal link between specific conduct and specific losses, and the scope of relevant conduct can reduce the guidelines range by years.
Additional enhancements can further increase the range — for sophisticated means of fraud, involvement of ten or more victims, use of mass marketing, targeting of vulnerable victims, and leadership role in the scheme. An experienced federal defense attorney challenges these enhancements at sentencing, often achieving substantial reductions below the guidelines recommendation.
Challenging the loss calculation is not a technical argument — it can mean the difference between a sentence of months and a sentence of a decade.
| Loss Amount | Offense Level Added |
|---|---|
| Under $6,500 | +0 |
| $6,500 – $15,000 | +2 |
| $15,000 – $40,000 | +4 |
| $40,000 – $95,000 | +6 |
| $95,000 – $150,000 | +8 |
| $150,000 – $250,000 | +10 |
| $250,000 – $550,000 | +12 |
| $550,000 – $1.5M | +14 |
| $1.5M – $3.5M | +16 |
| $3.5M – $9.5M | +18 |
| $9.5M – $25M | +20 |
| Over $25M | +22 or more |
State fraud cases are typically investigated and filed within months. Federal fraud investigations routinely run 1 to 3 years before an indictment — involving grand jury subpoenas, extensive document review, witness interviews, and financial forensics. By the time you are charged, the government has built a comprehensive case.
Unlike state court where judges have broad discretion, federal sentencing is governed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The loss amount, number of victims, and enhancement factors calculate a recommended range that courts take seriously — making the battle over the guidelines calculation as important as the trial itself.
Federal prisoners serve at least 85% of their sentence — there is no parole. A 5-year federal sentence means roughly 4 years and 3 months of actual incarceration. This makes the difference between a 3-year and 10-year sentence enormously significant in real terms — and makes avoiding conviction critical.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys prosecuting federal fraud cases have access to FBI forensic accountants, IRS-CI agents, SEC analysts, and specialized financial crime task forces. This resource asymmetry makes it essential to have a defense attorney who genuinely understands federal evidence rules, grand jury practice, and the discovery process.
Federal prosecutors "stack" multiple charges across multiple statutes — each count carrying its own sentence. A single transaction can generate wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy charges running concurrently but with cumulative guidelines impact. Managing this exposure requires experience in how federal courts actually calculate sentences.
In federal fraud cases, the decision about whether to cooperate with the government — and on what terms — is one of the most consequential choices a defendant faces. Cooperation can dramatically reduce a sentence, but carries its own risks, obligations, and uncertainties. This is never a decision to make without experienced federal counsel.
Federal fraud cases in Maryland are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland — which has two active courthouses. Cases from Baltimore and northern Maryland are typically heard in Baltimore; cases from the DC suburbs are typically heard in Greenbelt. The court is overseen by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, located in Richmond, Virginia.
Allan Rombro has been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland since 1989 — giving him over 35 years of experience with the local rules, the judges, and the informal dynamics that shape outcomes in federal criminal cases in Maryland. This is not book knowledge — it is courtroom experience built over decades.
Not all criminal defense attorneys in Maryland practice in federal court. Finding an attorney who is genuinely admitted to and experienced in federal court — not just state court — is essential when the stakes are this high and the rules are this different. Call to discuss your case.
Have a question not answered here? Email Allan Rombro directly for a free, confidential consultation — available 24 hours.
Federal jurisdiction applies when a fraud scheme involves interstate commerce, federal programs (Medicare, Medicaid, SBA loans), federally insured financial institutions, or electronic communications crossing state lines — which covers virtually all modern financial activity. Prosecutors also have discretion to bring federal charges based on the scope, complexity, or dollar amount of the scheme. In Maryland, federal fraud cases are heard in U.S. District Court in Baltimore or Greenbelt.
Federal fraud investigations routinely run 1 to 3 years — sometimes longer — before any arrest or indictment. By the time agents make contact with a target, the case has typically been under construction for months. This is why contacting an attorney at the investigation stage, rather than waiting for an indictment, creates significantly more options and can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all through pre-indictment negotiation and case presentation.
In federal fraud cases, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines calculate the recommended sentence primarily based on the total financial loss attributed to the scheme. The loss table adds offense levels that dramatically increase the sentencing range as the alleged loss grows — from +2 levels for losses over $6,500 to +22 or more for losses over $25 million. Challenging the loss amount, the causal link between specific conduct and losses, and the scope of relevant conduct attributed to the defendant is one of the most important parts of federal fraud defense — and can reduce the recommended sentence by years.
Yes. Federal fraud conspiracy charges can sweep up peripheral participants who had minimal direct involvement in a scheme. However, the Sentencing Guidelines provide for downward adjustments based on role — a “minor” participant may qualify for a 2-level reduction, a “minimal” participant for 4 levels. An experienced defense attorney can also challenge whether the evidence actually supports charging a peripheral person as a co-conspirator at all, and argue for a below-guidelines sentence based on the specific facts of the defendant’s involvement.
No — not without an attorney present. You have the absolute right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Politely decline to answer questions, ask for an attorney, and call immediately. Even truthful, well-intentioned statements can be misinterpreted, taken out of context, or used to establish elements of a charge you did not know existed. Federal agents are experienced interviewers — they know how to elicit incriminating statements. Having counsel present from the first contact is always the right approach, and early intervention can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.
The sooner you act, the stronger your defense. Free consultation, available 24 hours.
Speak directly with Allan Rombro. Available 24 hours.
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