Criminal and civil versions
The phrase covers two different kinds of exposure. In criminal cases, someone who knowingly helps another commit a crime can generally be charged as if they had committed it themselves, and both federal and New York law recognize this kind of accessorial liability. In civil cases, fraud victims sometimes sue the people and institutions around a scheme, such as banks, accountants, lawyers, or business partners, hoping to recover from those with deeper pockets. New York civil claims of this kind generally turn on actual knowledge of the fraud and on whether the help given was substantial, both demanding standards. Ordinary business services provided without that knowledge usually do not meet them.
Knowledge is the battleground
Because liability depends so heavily on what you knew, the record of what you were told, what you saw, and what you asked about becomes central. Gather the engagement letters, account documents, emails, and messages that show your role and the information you had at each point. In federal criminal cases, deliberately avoiding confirmation of an obvious fact can be treated like knowledge, so warning signs that were raised and how they were handled matter. Do not reach out to the principal wrongdoer or other participants to compare recollections, because that kind of contact can be read as coordination.
First steps in a consultation
We first establish whether you are facing a criminal investigation, a civil lawsuit, a regulatory inquiry, or some combination, since the standards and risks differ. If a civil complaint has been served, a response deadline is already running, and there may be grounds to challenge a claim that rests on suspicion rather than knowledge. Professional liability or other insurance may cover defense costs, and the carrier should usually be notified promptly. We go through your role in detail, including the parts that feel unhelpful, so the advice reflects the full picture.
