Fraud Your Future is Worth the Fight

Fraud Attorney in St. Petersburg

Fraud Defense Backed by Statewide Prosecution Experience

Attorney María Bastos prosecuted complex financial crimes as a statewide prosecutor for the Florida Attorney General, handling multi-county felony cases across circuits including Pinellas and Hillsborough. That experience went beyond courtroom advocacy. It included building cases from the investigative stage using search warrants, forensic financial evidence, and digital records. When we defend fraud clients in St. Petersburg, we bring that same inside view to your defense. We’re also admitted to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and can represent you whether your case stays in state court or escalates to a federal proceeding.

Fraud investigations typically begin long before an arrest. By the time charges are filed, law enforcement may have already gathered months of financial records, digital communications, and witness interviews. The decisions made in those earliest days can define what options remain. If you’re facing fraud charges or believe you’re under investigation, don’t wait.

Contact Bastos Defense today at (727) 800-0529 to discuss your case with a fraud lawyer in St. Petersburg. Consultations are available in English and Spanish.

Fraud Charges We Defend in St. Petersburg

Fraud is a broad category of white-collar offense. We defend clients facing charges at every level of severity under both Florida and federal law, including:

Insurance fraud
Credit card fraud
Mortgage fraud
Identity theft
Wire and mail fraud
Embezzlement
Money laundering
Tax evasion
Organized scheme to defraud
Securities fraud

Florida law frequently combines fraud and theft charges in a single case, compounding sentencing exposure. When prosecutors also apply communications fraud count stacking, each electronic message or call can become a separate charge. Attorney Bastos’s background investigating cases involving wiretaps, computer encryption, and cybercrimes gives us direct insight into how that evidence is collected and where it can be challenged. Our National Cyber Crime defense training strengthens that capability further.

Why St. Petersburg Clients Choose Bastos Defense for Fraud Defense

Our prosecution background spans multiple circuits for the Florida Attorney General, not a single county State Attorney’s Office. That breadth gives us a wider investigative vantage point when evaluating how the state has built its case against you.

Trial-Tested Advocacy: We’ve successfully litigated jury trials, non-jury trials, and complex motions, with favorable verdicts in prior matters. We prepare every fraud case as if it will go to trial, because that preparation shapes every negotiation.
State and Federal Representation: Our admission to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida means we don’t hand your case off when federal agencies get involved.
Selective Caseload: We limit the cases we take on so every client receives direct attorney attention and a strategy built around the specific facts of their situation.
Bilingual Representation: Attorney Bastos is fluent in English and Spanish. Fraud clients can communicate directly with their attorney in Spanish at every stage, without relying on a third-party interpreter for confidential strategy discussions.

Speak with a Fraud Attorney in St. Petersburg

We serve clients throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County at every stage of a fraud case, from pre-arrest investigation through trial and beyond. The sooner we can review your situation, the more options may be available to consider.

Call Bastos Defense at (727) 800-0529 to schedule a consultation. Hablamos Español.

Florida Fraud Statutes & Sentencing Exposure

Florida Statutes Chapter 817 governs fraudulent practices in Florida and covers a wide range of deceptive conduct. Understanding how penalties scale matters from the moment charges are filed.

Organized Scheme to Defraud

Under Florida Statute 817.034, prosecutors must prove an ongoing, systematic course of conduct intended to obtain property through false representations. Penalties scale by the value alleged: under $20,000 is a third-degree felony, $20,000 to $50,000 is a second-degree felony, and $50,000 or more is a first-degree felony carrying up to 30 years in prison. When the scheme involves electronic communications, each email, call, or message can be charged as a separate count of communications fraud, dramatically increasing total exposure.

Aggravated White Collar Crime

Florida’s White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act creates an elevated classification when a scheme victimizes 10 or more elderly persons, 10 or more veterans, 20 or more individuals of any age, or involves $50,000 or more obtained from the state. Fines can reach $500,000 or double the amount gained, whichever is greater.

Identity Theft Mandatory Minimums

Florida imposes mandatory minimum sentences in identity theft cases. A loss of $50,000 or more, or the personal data of more than 20 but fewer than 30 individuals, carries a five-year mandatory minimum. A loss of $100,000 or more, or 30 or more victims, carries a 10-year mandatory minimum. Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code uses a point-based scoring system in which the dollar amount alleged is often the single most consequential variable in sentencing calculations.

Fraud cases from St. Petersburg are heard at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater within the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

Fraud Defense Strategies

Every fraud defense begins with a thorough review of how the state built its case. We examine the evidence chain for inconsistencies, challenge improperly obtained material through suppression motions, and build a defense tailored to the specific facts at issue.

Common defense approaches include:

Challenging intent: Fraud prosecution requires proof of intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Conduct that reflects a business dispute, a bookkeeping error, or an authorization disagreement may not meet the legal standard for deliberate deception.
Lack of knowledge: The state must show the defendant knew the representations being made were false.
Entrapment: Applicable when law enforcement induced conduct that would not otherwise have occurred.
Contesting the loss amount: The dollar value alleged directly controls charge classification and sentencing range. Financial records showing a lower actual loss can reduce both.
Pretrial intervention and diversion: In some non-violent, first-offense cases in Pinellas County, eligible defendants may be able to complete conditions in exchange for reduced or dismissed charges.

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Your Fight Is Our Fight

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What Sets Us Apart? Defense That Delivers

Get A Former Prosecutor On Your Side

Elite Experience

María Bastos is a former statewide prosecutor with a track record of handling complex, multi-county cases.
Client-First Advocacy

Our selective caseload ensures every client gets personalized attention and a strong legal strategy.
Fierce & Compassionate

We're tough in the courtroom, but deeply committed to guiding clients through criminal defense and family law matters with care.
Justice-Driven

We are passionate about defending the accused and advocating for victims when possible, always fighting for what’s right.

If You’re Under Fraud Investigation in St. Petersburg

A fraud charge often doesn’t begin with an arrest. A subpoena, a frozen bank account, or contact between law enforcement and your colleagues or business partners can signal that an investigation is already underway. White-collar investigations are frequently built over months before any formal charges are filed.

If you learn you’re under investigation, don’t speak to investigators before consulting a defense attorney. Statements made before legal representation is in place can significantly shape how a case develops. Preserve all financial records, documents, and communications from the relevant period as well. Destroying or altering records can trigger separate obstruction charges that carry their own penalties.

Because Attorney Bastos prosecuted complex financial crimes as a statewide prosecutor, she understands how investigators sequence their work and where investigations develop vulnerabilities. We can step in early to handle communication with law enforcement and federal agents directly, so you don’t inadvertently provide information that may strengthen the state’s case. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida both actively investigate fraud and financial crimes in the St. Petersburg area.

State vs. Federal Fraud Jurisdiction in Pinellas County

When fraud involves banks, securities, electronic communications across state lines, or federal benefit programs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida can assert jurisdiction. Federal fraud charges, including wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1343, mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1341, bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1344, healthcare fraud, and securities fraud, carry their own sentencing frameworks under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Federal prosecutions also typically involve significantly greater investigative resources, with agencies such as the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, or the SEC leading the charge.

We’re admitted to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and can represent clients in both state and federal venues. Attorney Bastos’s background as a statewide prosecutor included multi-county and multi-circuit cases, giving us direct familiarity with how cases can move from state to federal jurisdiction and what that transition means for the defense.

Consequences Beyond Incarceration

A fraud conviction carries consequences that extend well past a prison sentence. A permanent felony record can affect employment in finance, healthcare, law, education, and government. Professional license eligibility in Florida can be affected following a fraud conviction, which is particularly significant for anyone holding a medical, legal, financial, or real estate license.

Florida courts can order restitution, requiring defendants to repay the alleged financial loss even when those funds are no longer accessible. Asset forfeiture and account freezing can begin before charges are formally filed. For non-citizens, a fraud conviction may carry immigration consequences including deportation or inadmissibility, and federal fraud convictions can trigger mandatory removal proceedings under immigration law. In some cases, sealing or expungement may be available after resolution, helping limit the long-term visibility of a record. Eligibility depends on the specific outcome and Florida law.

Fraud Defense in Spanish for St. Petersburg Clients

Attorney Bastos was born in Costa Rica and is fluent in both English and Spanish. We offer full legal services in Spanish throughout the fraud defense process, from the initial consultation through court proceedings, without relying on a third-party interpreter for sensitive strategy discussions.

Spanish-speaking defendants navigating the Pinellas County court system face an additional layer of complexity in an already difficult process. Communicating directly with your attorney in your primary language removes a meaningful barrier in the attorney-client relationship and helps reduce the risk that critical details are lost in translation. At Bastos Defense, that access is built into how we represent Spanish-speaking clients. Hablamos Español.

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Read Reviews

"Top Notch Defense Attorney"
Maria is a top notch defense attorney and I would highly recommend her and her services.

- Lindsay C.
"Dedication, Hard Work, and Professionalism"
I cannot recommend Maria Bastos highly enough. Her dedication, hard work, and professionalism set her apart in the legal field. Her attention to detail and methodical approach to her cases are evident from the beginning through till the end. Her courtroom presence is evident and shows her knowledge of the law and confidence in her abilities. If you are looking for an attorney to tirelessly advocate on your behalf, Maria is the best there is. I highly recommend Maria for any criminal defense needs.

- Ian F.
"Excellent Defense Attorney"
Maria Bastos is an excellent defense attorney. She is professional, knowledgeable, and truly cares about her clients. She explained everything clearly and worked tirelessly to achieve the best possible results. I highly recommend her.

- Alondra R.
"Would definitely recommend her to anyone"
I have known Maria a very long time and would definitely recommend her to anyone who needed an effective, timely, and experienced defense attorney.

- Ellie C.
"The Absolute Best!!"
Maria is the absolute best. She’s super easy to work with. And definitely goes the extra mile or should I say miles for her clients. From long talks on the phone. To hunting down your prosecutor to set up times to delegate with them. My last case was picked up by her when my original lawyer had left the office, she in almost no time got me the result I was looking for. You would think that because it was just a case thrown at her already started by someone else it would not mean as much to her. But I never got those vibes from her once. She’s great at making everything taking place in your case translated into to plane English. She will be my lawyer for life.

- Dylan A.
"Highly Recommend"
I highly recommend Maria for anyone dealing with a VOP (Violation of Probation) case. She was always on time, consistently showed up when I needed her, and most importantly, she won my case. Her professionalism and dedication gave me peace of mind throughout the process. Truly grateful for her support.

- Chris C.
"Attorney Bastos Delivers the Attention You Deserve"
Maria is an elite attorney. Her representation is distinct from others because she manages her caseload such that her clients are actually able to receive the attention they pay for and deserve.

- Emily C.
"I HIGHLY RECOMMEND"
Maria strives to provide exceptional service to her clients, and she is delighted that you found her assistance valuable in reaching your goals.

- Marino D.

Meet Attorney María Bastos Your Case Is Our Mission

At Bastos Defense, you get a fierce advocate on your side, with a compassionate and personalized approach to client care.