Being investigated or charged with a white collar offense in Houston or Harris County is different from a typical criminal case. These cases often move slowly, can involve mountains of documents and financial records, and are often built by prosecutors and federal agents over months before you're ever contacted. Ed McClees has spent his career on both sides of these cases — as the former Chief of the Organized Crime Section for the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and now as a Board Certified Criminal Law defense attorney representing individuals and businesses under investigation or facing charges including securities fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, fraudulent use of identifying information, and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Ed is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by fewer than 10% of licensed Texas attorneys — and has represented CEOs, physicians, lawyers, police officers, and business entities in complex financial and regulatory matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a "white collar crime" in Texas?

White collar crime is a general term for non-violent offenses typically involving deception, financial gain, or breach of trust. In Texas, this includes fraud-related crimes, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, identity theft, securities violations, and tax offenses. These cases can be prosecuted at the state level (e.g., Harris County District Attorney's Office) or the federal level (U.S. Attorney's Office), and the two systems work very differently.

How do I know if I'm under investigation?

Often the first sign is a subpoena, a visit or phone call from an investigator or federal agent, a search warrant, or a letter from a regulatory agency (SEC, FBI, IRS, or a state agency). Sometimes clients learn they're a subject of an investigation from a business partner, employer, or bank. If any of this happens, the most important step is to avoid speaking with investigators before consulting an attorney — anything said informally can be used later, and by the time an investigation reaches you, the government has often already been building the case for months.

Should I talk to investigators if I haven't been charged with anything?

No— at least not without counsel present. This applies even if you believe you've done nothing wrong and want to "clear things up." White collar investigations often hinge on intent, and statements made early, without full knowledge of what investigators already have, can be misunderstood or used out of context. An attorney can often communicate with investigators on your behalf, which protects you while still cooperating appropriately.

What's the difference between a state and federal white collar case?

State cases (prosecuted by a district attorney's office) and federal cases (prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office) differ in procedure, sentencing exposure, and investigative resources. Federal cases often involve agencies like the FBI, IRS-CI, or SEC, use federal sentencing guidelines, and can carry substantially different penalties than a comparable state charge. Some conduct can be charged in either system, or both. Knowing which system you're in — and anticipating which one a case may move to — shapes the entire defense strategy.

Can charges be resolved before an indictment or formal filing?

Yes, and this is often the best-case outcome. In many white collar matters, especially where no charges have been filed yet, an experienced defense attorney can intervene early — presenting mitigating evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, or providing context that persuades the government not to file charges at all, or to resolve the matter short of prosecution. This window closes once formal charges are filed, which is why early representation matters.

What penalties can white collar convictions carry?

Penalties vary widely depending on the specific offense, the amount of money or property involved, and whether the case is state or federal. Consequences can include incarceration, substantial fines, restitution, probation, and collateral effects such as loss of professional licenses, difficulty finding future employment, or immigration consequences for non-citizens. Because the exposure can be severe even for first-time offenders, these cases warrant an aggressive, early defense.

Why does it matter that my attorney is Board Certified and a former prosecutor?

Board Certification in Criminal Law means an attorney has met rigorous experience, peer-review, and testing requirements set by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — it's not a self-declared credential. Combined with experience as the former Chief of the Organized Crime Section at the Harris County DA's Office — where complex financial and organized-conduct cases were prosecuted directly — this background provides insight into how the government builds and evaluates these cases, which directly informs how they're defended.

What should I do first if I think I'm involved in a white collar investigation?

Contact an attorney before speaking with anyone else about the matter, and avoid discussing it over email, text, or with coworkers. Preserve rather than delete any documents or records related to the matter (destroying records can create separate criminal exposure). Then schedule a confidential consultation to review the situation in detail.