The Financial Crimes Division is Utah’s frontline criminal unit dedicated to the ethical and rigorous investigation and prosecution of major financial crimes committed within the state. In every case, the division pursues justice on behalf of Utah and victims of financial crimes.
The Division specializes in felony-level, multi-jurisdictional investment fraud and prosecutes complex schemes involving communications fraud, securities fraud, tax evasion, theft, and racketeering. Division attorneys and investigators apply their expertise to unravel sophisticated financial crimes and hold offenders accountable under state law.
Through aggressive prosecution and a focus on financial remedies and restitution, the division works to recover losses for victims and restore confidence in Utah’s financial systems.
The Financial Crimes Division is currently staffed with six prosecutors and two paralegals, including one dedicated construction fraud prosecutor. The division has now added a new section, the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, which will be staffed with two more prosecutors, two investigators, a paralegal, a forensic accountant, and an analyst.
The Division collectively has more than 120 years of legal expertise, including 72 years of criminal prosecution focus. This prosecution experience includes violent and property crimes as well as complex fraud litigation. The Division also has deep experience in private practice including civil litigation, banking, finance, and securities regulation. The Division has collectively tried more than 100 felony and misdemeanor jury trials. The Division’s excellent paralegals have more than 20 years of legal experience comprised of assisting in numerous jury trial and evidentiary hearings. The paralegals consistently exemplify courteous professionalism and competence when dealing with opposing counsel, the public, and victims.
Individuals within the division have diverse and accomplished backgrounds. Their educational backgrounds include undergraduate degrees from Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, University of Utah and Weber State University. These degrees are in programs ranging from Political Science, History, Humanities, International Relations, Spanish, Psychology, Behavioral Science, to Speech Communications, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Members of the Division graduated from a diverse group of law schools earning both juris doctorate and advanced law degrees in specialized fields such as banking and finance from Boston University School of Law, Brigham Young University, Creighton University School of Law, Emory University School of Law, Gonzaga University School of Law, Northern Illinois University School of Law, and University of Utah. Members have received community awards including an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, Legal Elite in the Utah Business Resource Guide (both civil and criminal defense), and have been published in the BYU Law Review.
In addition, our members are highly accomplished outside the field of law as well. Some of our members’ accomplishments include an Army veteran, a SWAT Hell Week survivor, a Utah Wrestling State Champion, multiple Eagle Scouts, NCAA Collegiate Athletes, the 3rd Place Winner of the Attorney General’s Office bake off and expert bread maker, a three-time Iron Man finisher, full and half marathon finishers (at least three full marathons, one Ragnar, and countless half marathons, 10k and 5k races), archery competitor, cosplay aficionado, snowboarding enthusiast, and one of our members is the best fisherman in his family.
