Being accused of a white-collar crime can feel like your world is crashing down. It’s not just the threat of legal consequences that weighs heavily—it’s the fear that your name, your business, and your future could be permanently tarnished in the public eye.
Whether it’s embezzlement, insurance fraud, or insider trading, white collar crimes often carry a stigma that sticks, even if the allegations turn out to be exaggerated or unfounded.
Reputations can quickly unravel under the weight of white collar crime accusations. In this post, we’ll walk you through practical, proven steps to help protect your image and livelihood when you’re under investigation or already facing charges in North Carolina.
How to Defend Your Reputation While Facing Charges
Many people accused of white collar crimes don’t expect their personal and professional lives to fall apart overnight. But the damage often begins long before anyone steps foot in a courtroom.
Based on years of experience handling high-stakes criminal defense, we’ll share the most important actions you can take now, not just to fight the charges, but to protect the reputation you’ve worked hard to build.
#1 Understand the Stakes: Reputation Damage Is Immediate
When clients walk through our doors, their concerns vary. Some fear prison. Others worry about their business collapsing or losing a professional license. But what many don’t realize is how fast their reputation may suffer, even without a conviction.
In North Carolina, even being accused of a white collar crime can become public record. Your name might appear in news stories or court dockets. Potential clients, partners, or employers may make snap judgments. In many cases, the social consequences begin before any evidence is tested in court.
Charges like embezzlement under N.C. Gen. Stat. §14-90 or obtaining property by false pretenses under §14-100 don’t need a conviction to leave a mark. When it comes to white collar crime charges, perception alone can damage reputations, careers, and personal relationships.
#2 Don’t Talk to the Media—At All
When it comes to white collar crime charges, the media isn’t your friend. Even well-meaning statements can be twisted or taken out of context. Inflammatory headlines chase clicks, not fairness.
Our advice is simple: say nothing. Refer all questions to your attorney, including anything on social media. Even a short tweet or a clarifying post can be used against you or interpreted as a confession of guilt.
Protecting your reputation starts with protecting your words.
#3 Think Twice Before You Post Online
Deleting social media posts can look suspicious and may even result in spoliation of evidence claims (see Terry v. Mullowney case, where the plaintiff deleted the Facebook account after being confronted with its contents).
The smarter move? Go quiet. Freeze your accounts or stop posting entirely. Even unrelated content—like a meme or offhand comment—can be twisted to portray you as unremorseful or reckless. In white collar crimes, perception is powerful, and prosecutors or journalists easily misinterpret online content.
Think of your digital footprint as part of your public testimony.
#4 Control the Message Inside Your Workplace
If you’re employed, speak to HR with your attorney’s guidance. If you run your own business, you may need to make a statement to clients, staff, or stakeholders. In both cases, your message should be fact-based, neutral, and reviewed by legal counsel.
You don’t owe anyone an apology for something you haven’t been convicted of. But silence without context can fuel rumors. With strategic language, you can reassure key people while avoiding self-incrimination when it comes to white collar crime charges.
Here’s how that might sound in practice: “We’re aware of the situation and are cooperating fully. We have confidence in the legal process and will continue to focus on serving our clients.”
#5 Consider Crisis PR (But Only with Your Lawyer at Your Side)
If you’re a public figure, executive, or community leader, the reputational fallout from white collar crime charges may call for outside help. A crisis PR firm can help shape public messaging and manage media relations.
But never engage a PR team without involving your attorney. Anything released publicly could have legal consequences. The best PR strategy is one aligned with your legal defense, including crisis communication professionals when appropriate, but always with discretion.
#6 Go For Discreet, Strategic Legal Action
Not all white collar crime cases have to become front-page news or go to trial. In many cases, we can quietly file motions to suppress evidence, seek expunction of dismissed charges under N.C. Gen. Stat. §15A-146, or negotiate a resolution behind closed doors.
For example, pre-trial diversion programs or civil remedies can resolve disputes without an admission of guilt or a permanent record. Prosecutors are often more interested in restitution than punishment. If the situation is framed appropriately, some cases can be rerouted to civil court, especially if there’s a valid ownership dispute.
These options are only available early in the process—another reason to call a lawyer as soon as possible if you need to deal with white collar crime charges.
#7 Hire an Experienced Attorney—Fast
Time is not on your side. The earlier you contact a skilled criminal defense attorney, the more control you have over how things play out, both legally and publicly.
A seasoned attorney won’t just represent you in court. They’ll advise you on how to speak (or stay silent), guide your interactions with employers, and help you avoid the common mistakes that can make things worse. Stepping in before white collar crime charges are even filed, working behind the scenes to steer investigations away from criminal court, or negotiating resolutions that avoid media attention are tactics that can save your reputation.
We’ve seen cases where fast action, like returning disputed funds or framing a misunderstanding as a civil dispute, has prevented criminal charges altogether. So, acting quickly is the key.
Reputation Can Be Rebuilt—But You Need the Right Team
White collar crime charges strike at the heart of your integrity. But a charge is not a conviction, and reputations can be salvaged with the right approach.
Your first move is the most important. Don’t talk. Don’t post. Don’t panic. Call a team that knows how to handle the legal system and the court of public opinion.
At Kurtz & Blum, our attorneys have handled complex white collar crimes in Raleigh and across North Carolina. We know when to fight, when to negotiate, and how to keep your case out of the spotlight whenever possible. If you suspect you’re under investigation—even if no charges have been filed—now is the time to act.
We’ll work with you to build a personalized strategy to protect your freedom and your future.
Call us before the situation escalates. Let’s protect what you’ve built.
