Economic Crimes

The Economic Crimes Unit investigates and prosecutes a wide range of financial and property-related crimes that affect individuals, businesses, and financial institutions across Northampton County. Led by Deputy District Attorney Michael Weinert, this division handles cases from petty theft to multi-million-dollar fraud schemes, ensuring financial accountability at every level.

Types of Cases Prosecuted

Our team of prosecutors addresses a variety of white-collar and economic crimes, including:

  • Theft and embezzlement (from minor offenses to million-dollar losses)

  • Forgery and check fraud

  • Identity theft and cyber-enabled scams

  • Money laundering and financial conspiracy cases

  • Retail theft rings and organized stolen property operations

  • Elder financial exploitation and fraud targeting vulnerable adults

Each case is investigated thoroughly, often requiring collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions to track complex financial activity across multiple jurisdictions.

Elder Financial Exploitation

Protecting vulnerable populations, especially elderly victims, is a top priority for this unit. Pennsylvania law recognizes the unique impact of crimes against seniors and may impose enhanced penalties for offenses involving:

  • Abuse of trust or fiduciary duty

  • Fraudulent financial manipulation

  • Deception targeting isolated or dependent individuals

Our prosecutors are committed to aggressively pursuing justice in these cases while working to recover lost funds and provide support to victims and families.

Contractor Fraud

Under the leadership of District Attorney Baratta, contractor fraud has become a focused area of prosecution within the Economic Crimes Unit.

Contractor fraud typically involves:

  • Taking payment for home improvement or construction services without completing the agreed-upon work

  • Misrepresenting qualifications or project timelines

  • Disappearing after receiving large deposits

  • Making false promises, delaying projects, or cutting off communication entirely

Victims may not realize they’ve been defrauded until significant financial or property loss has occurred. If you believe you’ve been the victim of contractor fraud, you are strongly encouraged to report the incident to your local police department for investigation.

Our Mission

The Economic Crimes Unit is dedicated to:

  • Holding financial offenders accountable

  • Recovering stolen funds and securing restitution for victims

  • Disrupting schemes that exploit trust and financial systems

  • Protecting the economic wellbeing of all Northampton County residents

Through meticulous investigation and aggressive prosecution, we work to uphold justice and preserve the economic integrity of our community.