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Bankruptcy Crimes 2002 Bankruptcy Crimes: Third Edition
By Stephanie Wickouski
2007/08 - Beard Books
1587982722 - Hardcover - 415 pp.
US$264.95 

Must reading for bankruptcy professionals.

Publisher Comments

Categories: Bankruptcy & Insolvency | Criminal

This title is part of the Bankruptcy Primer list.

Of Interest:

A Treatise on the Law and Practice of Bankruptcy: Under the Act of Congress of 1898

Bankruptcy in United States History

Debtors and Creditors in America: Insolvency, Imprisonment for Debt, and Bankruptcy, 1607-1900

Logic and Limits of Bankruptcy Law

As We Forgive Our Debtors: Bankruptcy and Consumer Credit in America

Bankruptcy: A Feast for Lawyers

Ten Cents on the Dollar: Or the Bankruptcy Game

The PRC Enterprise Bankruptcy Law: The People's Work in Progress

You Can Go Bankrupt Without Going Broke: An Essential Guide to Personal Bankruptcy


This authoritative treatise on bankruptcy fraud is an invaluable reference book for bankruptcy law practitioners, white-collar criminal lawyers, prosecutors, judges, restructuring professionals, and academicians. Bankruptcy Crimes is the only book extant on the subject and is unique in its dual perspective and analysis of criminality and bankruptcy law. The book explains, in a clear and captivating style, both the statutory intricacies of bankruptcy law as well as the fundamentals of the related criminal offenses.

Among the topics covered are: fraud, perjury, embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, destruction of records, fraudulent acquisitions in a bankruptcy proceeding, asset forfeiture, and sentencing. The book also elucidates the function and roles of various federal officials who are responsible for investigating and prosecuting bankruptcy crimes, the defenses to charges of bankruptcy crimes, and ethical and professional responsibilities of attorneys representing debtors and other parties in bankruptcy.

Foreword by E. Lawrence Barcella, Jr.,
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP,
Washington, D.C.

Bankruptcy law provides one of those unique intersections where different disciplines of the law should, but don’t always, come together. Bankruptcy has its own clear, but distinct, criminal and civil components. Oftentimes, practitioners who focus on bankruptcy law do not have the criminal law background to appreciate the consequences of certain conduct nor recognize the techniques and process used by prosecutors investigating that conduct. Conversely, white collar criminal practitioners almost never have the background in bankruptcy law, its regulations and nuances, to understand or appreciate potential defenses that may arise. Similarly, prosecutors, when they investigate offenses arising out of a bankruptcy situation, often resort to charging other offenses with which they are more familiar and comfortable, rather than using the Bankruptcy Criminal Code. Fraud, perjury, bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, and destruction of records are easily recognizable to white collar defense attorneys and prosecutors, but may be treated very differently in a bankruptcy context.

The immediate and obvious value of this book as I read it is that Stephanie Wickouski understands both sides of the bankruptcy issue. For years there has been a need for a treatise that explains criminal law and process to bankruptcy lawyers, and bankruptcy law to criminal practitioners. This book does exactly that. Whether explaining the elements of criminal offenses or outlining the statutory intricacies of bankruptcy law, Ms. Wickouski takes the reader, whatever his or her background going in, and explains the situation from all perspectives. The pitfalls of parallel proceedings become clear and understandable to the practitioner reading this book.

Having known Stephanie Wickouski for nearly 15 years, it was easy for me to understand how she could take different perspectives on bankruptcy, some of which are contradictory and many of which are confusing, and explain them so that all could understand. If I were a lawyer involved in a bankruptcy matter, whether civil or criminal, and had only one reference work that I could rely upon, it would be this book.

From Harvey R. Miller, Esq., Weil, Gotshal & Manges:

Protect yourself and your clients! Bankruptcy Crimes is an essential tool for the bankruptcy practitioner. It provides a comprehensive overview of an important but often ignored subject. Understanding the Bankruptcy Criminal Code and its application to reorganization and other cases is mandatory for the discharge of professional responsibilities.

From D. J. (Jan) Baker, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom:

Stephanie Wickouski has written the definitive work on the subject in her book, Bankruptcy Crimes. In it, she masterfully surveys and analyzes the sometimes conflicting worlds of bankruptcy and criminal law. Every bankruptcy practitioner who confronts a criminal issue will find this work indispensable, as will every criminal lawyer who confronts a bankruptcy issue. It cannot be recommended too highly.

From Howard Brod Brownstein, CTP, Principal, NachmanHaysBrownstein, Inc.:

Bankruptcy Crimes illustrates how easily one can blunder into criminal territory in bankruptcy matters. As the author states, “In many instances, [criminal] violations can occur even if there is no benefit to the defendant and no injury to any creditor.” Ms. Wickouski’s valuable book, which is thoroughly readable, provides turnaround practitioners with vital signposts to help their clients and themselves recognize problems and avoid them; it should be required reading.

From John Wm. (“Jack”) Butler, Jr., Partner and Co-Practice Leader
Corporate Restructuring Department, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP:

In Bankruptcy Crimes, Stephanie Wickouski teaches us how to identify and deal with fraudulent and other illegal acts that otherwise undermine a fair and effective American bankruptcy system. This unique treatise is a road map for sorting out the good guys from the bad guys - and provides clear guidance to help individuals and companies that find themselves in an over-stressed and difficult financial situation avoid “crossing the line.” Bankruptcy Crimes is required reading for corporate executives of troubled companies - and any serious bankruptcy practitioner or advisor.

From Scott L. Hazan, Chairman of the Insolvency Practice
Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen:

Stephanie Wickouski has addressed an important subject in an easy to read, comprehensive fashion. This book represents the “state of the art” in navigating the numerous statutes that are applicable to determining the existence of, and causing the prosecution of, bankruptcy crimes.

From J. Andrew Rahl, Jr. , Anderson Kill & Olick:

The first edition of Bankruptcy Crimes has been an invaluable reference for me in my practice. This latest edition is indispensable!

No book reviews available.

Stephanie WickouskiStephanie Wickouski is a partner in the New York office of Bryan Cave LLP. She counsels clients on all aspects of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial transactions. With more than 30 years of experience handling complex reorganization cases throughout the country, she has served as lead bankruptcy counsel to indenture trustees in multiple high-profile cases. A nationally recognized bankruptcy practitioner, she has been named as one of the 12 Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers in the US by Turnarounds & Workouts, and has been recognized in the practice of bankruptcy by U.S. News Best Lawyers in America since 2006. She is a frequent lecturer, author, and commentator on bankruptcy, restructuring, and financial fraud, and is the author of Indenture Trustee - Bankruptcy Powers & Duties published in Nov. 2015. Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Wickouski was a trial attorney with the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and received several awards for her handling of bankruptcy litigation. She lives in lower Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood with her husband, David A. Fletcher, a noted musician and director.

Foreword ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xiii
List of Abbreviations xiv
About the Author xv
Contributor xvi
Part 1: Introduction and History 1
1. Overview 1
2. Historical summary 5
3. Common fraud schemes 10
4. Due process and the interpretation of criminal statutes 14
Part 2: Analysis of Title 18, United States Code, Chapter 9 17
5. Overview 17
6. Concealment of assets: 18 U.S.C.§ 152 (1) 28
7. False oaths, accounts and declarations: 18 U.S.C. § 152(2) and 152(3) 40
8. False claims: 18 U.S.C. § 152(4) 50
9. Receiving property with the intent to defeat the Bankruptcy Code and bribery: 18 U.S.C. § 152(5) and (6) 54
10. Fraudulent prebankruptcy transfers: 18 U.S.C. § 152(7)  63
11. Concealment or destruction of records: 18 U.S.C. § 152(8) and (9) and § 1519 67
12. Embezzlement against estates: 18 U.S.C. § 153 71
13. Adverse interest and conduct of officers: 18 U.S.C. § 154 74
14. Fee agreements in cases under title 11 and receiverships: 18 U.S.C. § 155 78
15. Bankruptcy petition preparer fraud: 18 U.S.C. § 156 82
P art 3 : Related offenses 91
17. Statutory overlap and multiplicity 91
18. Aiding and abetting:18 U.S.C. § 2; principals and accessories: 18 U.S.C. § 3; and misprision: 18 U.S.C. § 4 95
19. Conspiracy: 18 U.S.C. § 371 101
20. False statements: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001, 1014, and 1032 108
21. Mail, wire or bank fraud: 18 U.S.C. § 1341-1344 116
22. Obstruction of justice: 18 U.S.C. § 1503  121
23. Perjury: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1621-23  126
24. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act: 18 U.S.C. § 1962 135
25. Money laundering: 18 U.S.C. § 1956  140
26. Other related provisions  146
Part 4: Prosecution and defense 147
27. Investigation  147
28. Indictment  153
29. Overview of defenses  157
30. Statute of limitations  162
31. Advice of counsel  166
32. Attorney-client privilege  169
33. The Fifth Amendment privilege  175
Part 5 : Penalties  182
34. Federal Sentencing Guidelines  182
35. Restitution, fines and forfeitures  195
36. Plea agreements  200
Part 6 : Civil and collateral issues  202
37. Relationship between civil and criminal proceedings 202
38. Ethics and professional responsibility  205
Appendix A
Excerpts from Title 11, United States Code (The Federal Bankruptcy Code) 
216
Appendix B
Excerpts from Title 18, United States Code (Crimes and Criminal Procedure)
258
Appendix C
Excerpts from The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (effective December 1, 2005)
283
Appendix D 
Excerpts from The Federal Rules of Evidence
294
Appendix E 
Form 1 Voluntary Petition 
295
Appendix F 
List of Creditors Holding 20 Largest Unsecured Claims 
301
Appendix G 
Schedules 
302
Appendix H 
Statement of Financial Affairs 
323
Appendix I 
Proof of Claim 
334
Appendix J 
Excerpts from The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct 
339
Appendix K 
Excerpts from The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual, as amended and effective November 1, 2004 
360
Table of Authorities  386
General Statutory Materials  395
Index  399

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