Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed March 02, 2018
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Money laundering, known as "dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities" in Pennsylvania, describes financial transactions used to conceal, disguise, hide, or shield money and other proceeds gained through criminal acts. For an offense to qualify as a criminal act for money laundering, state or federal laws must classify the offense as a first degree misdemeanor or a felony. State and federal laws allow for the prosecution of money laundering offenses to discourage financial gain through crime and to weaken groups engaged in organized crime or racketeering.
The following chart provides additional details about Pennsylvania's money laundering laws.
| Statute | 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. section 5111 |
| What Constitutes Money Laundering? |
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| Penalties | 1st degree felony (up to 20 yrs. in prison; fine equal to double the amount stolen, up to $100,000) |
Many types of financial transactions may qualify as money laundering in Pennsylvania. In general, financial transactions involve the deposit, movement, or transfer of money and other forms of property. Currency exchanges, gifts, loans, purchases, and sales can also serve as financial transactions for money laundering. The financial transaction may go through a financial institution such as a bank, credit card company, investment bank, loan company, or another type of institution.
Pennsylvania state laws include specific penalties and sentences for the offense of money laundering. The state prosecutes money laundering as a first degree felony. A conviction can result in a fine, a term of imprisonment, or both. The court may impose a fine in an amount up to $100,000 or double the total value of the financial transactions involved in the offense. The term of imprisonment may not exceed a sentence of twenty years.
In addition to establishing the criminal penalties, Pennsylvania state laws also allow civil penalties for money laundering. The civil penalty, paid to the state, may equal the value of the financial transaction or require a set fine of $10,000.
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- please contact a criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
If you have been charged with money laundering, you could be facing several years in prison and a stiff fine. Even if you ultimately plead guilty, an attorney can help provide the best possible outcome for your case. Get some peace of mind today by consulting with a Pennsylvania defense attorney.
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