Unlawful Structuring of Currency Transactions

Federal law prohibits structuring multiple cash deposits to avoid the bank’s preparation and filing with the IRS of a Currency Transaction Report. A financial institution must prepare a report when a customer makes a cash deposit of $10,000 or more.

The crime for unlawful structuring of currency transactions involves violations of 31 U.S.C. §5324(a)(3). Knowledge is an element of the criminal charge. For example, to establish a violation of the structuring laws, the government must prove that the currency was deposited in amounts under $10,000 for the specific purpose of evading bank reporting requirements. See 31 U.S.C. § 5324.

Many of these investigations involve Special Agents with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Civil asset forfeiture cases are filed and litigated by an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the U.S. District Court of Appeals.

Attorney for Currency Transaction Structuring Crimes in Florida

If you are accused of unlawful structuring of currency transactions, then contact a federal criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm.

The most common allegations involve structuring multiple cash deposits to avoid the bank’s preparation and filing with the IRS of a Currency Transaction Report under 31 U.S.C. §5324(a)(3).

We also represent clients accused of structuring $10,000 to evade the reporting requirements of the FinCEN Form 105 when taking an international flight at the airport into or out of the United States.

In those cases, a federal agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or the IRS might seize a bank account for civil asset forfeiture proceedings.

Contact us to discuss your case.

Call 813-250-0500.

This article was last updated on Monday, February 20, 2023.