Fraud Attorney in St. Petersburg

Protecting Your Future When Fraud Is Alleged

Being accused of fraud can threaten your freedom, your career, and your reputation at the same time. If you are under investigation or have already been charged in St. Petersburg, you may be unsure what to say, who to trust, or what will happen next. You do not have to figure that out alone.

At Plotnick Law Offices, we defend people facing fraud and related financial crime allegations in this part of Florida. Our attorneys bring more than 35 years of combined experience to every case, and some of us previously served as prosecutors. We use that insight to anticipate how the State builds fraud cases and to look for weaknesses in the evidence.

When you hire us, you work with the same fraud attorney from start to finish, not a rotating cast of faces. That continuity helps us understand your story in depth and tailor a strategy to your specific circumstances. 

To talk about your situation confidentially with our fraud lawyer in St. Petersburg, you can call (727) 619-1827 or contact us online.

Understanding Fraud Laws in Florida

Florida Statutes Chapter 817 serves as the primary legal framework for "Fraudulent Practices" in the state. Fraud is broadly defined as the intentional use of deception, false statements, or the concealment of material facts to obtain money, property, or a personal advantage at the expense of another.

In St. Petersburg, prosecutors often utilize specific statutes to categorize these offenses, which can drastically change the severity of the charges:

• Organized Scheme to Defraud: This is the most common "umbrella" charge. It targets what the state calls a "systematic, ongoing course of conduct" with the intent to defraud one or more persons. Because it aggregates multiple incidents into a single charge, it often results in higher-degree felony classifications.
• Communications Fraud: Under the same statute, each time a person uses a phone, email, or social media to further a fraudulent scheme, it can be charged as a separate offense. This allows the state to stack multiple counts against a single defendant.
• Identity Theft: This involves the unauthorized use of another person’s personal identification information. As of 2026, Florida has increased the mandatory minimum sentences for identity theft involving the personal data of more than 30 individuals or the data of a deceased person.
• Public Assistance and Insurance Fraud: These specific types of fraud are often investigated by specialized state task forces. For example, unemployment or food stamp fraud is aggressively pursued, as is "PIP fraud" related to auto insurance claims, which remains a high priority for law enforcement in the Tampa Bay area.

It is important for a St. Petersburg fraud lawyer to differentiate between a simple mistake in a financial transaction and criminal fraud. Many white-collar cases are essentially civil contract disputes that the state has overzealously tried to criminalize.

How Our Attorneys Defend Fraud Cases

When you face a fraud allegation, our attorneys start by listening carefully to understand the circumstances, prior contacts with law enforcement, and any relevant records or communications. We review charging documents, discovery, and financial or digital evidence the State may use, ensuring we have a full picture of the case before developing a strategy.

Our experience as former prosecutors gives us insight into how fraud cases are built, including how investigators compile bank records, emails, and transaction histories, and what prosecutors consider when deciding to pursue charges or settlements. This perspective allows us to identify gaps, assumptions, or weaknesses in the State’s theory.

Fraud cases often hinge on intent, record accuracy, and whether the State can prove deception. We examine account access, business or personal explanations, and investigative practices, while keeping you informed through every stage in Pinellas County. Early involvement, even before charges are filed, can influence outcomes, and we focus on providing a steady, fact-driven defense aimed at minimizing exposure and protecting your record.