What a clean record does and does not do
New York does not use embezzlement as a separate charge; these cases are usually brought as larceny, graded largely by the amount involved, sometimes with related charges for falsified business records. A first offense can matter in negotiations and at sentencing, but the amount, the length of time, and the position of trust often weigh as much or more. Prosecutors tend to look closely at whether money is being repaid and whether the account of events holds together. Some cases can be resolved without a conviction, and others cannot, and it is not possible to say which at the start. Federal charges are also possible when certain institutions or federal funds are involved.
Repayment, admissions, and the employer
Employers often ask for a meeting, a signed confession, or a promissory note before or after a report is made. Do not sign anything or explain what happened without speaking with counsel, because those documents frequently become central evidence. Repaying money can matter a great deal, but how and when it is offered should be planned through your lawyer, and repayment does not by itself end the criminal case. Do not contact co-workers or the organization's board about the accusation. Gather your own pay records and any authorizations you were given, and ask counsel before copying or keeping any of the organization's account records.
The questions in a first meeting
We start by learning whether you have been charged, whether there is a court date, and what the employer or organization has already said or filed. We review the amount alleged and how it was calculated, since figures in an employer's report are often estimates that need testing. We also discuss immigration status, professional licenses, and any bonding or fiduciary role, since each may have its own consequences. If the employer is also pursuing a civil claim or an insurance claim, we look at how those affect the criminal side. Then we plan the order of the next steps rather than reacting to each demand as it arrives.
