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Asked 3 months ago - Portland, OR
FlagInstead of applying for welfare , wick , section eight , Oregon health plan , and an Oregon trail card , my pregnant girlfriend wants to black mail me into giving her way too much money every month or else she is going to the welfare office and informing them , that I am a drug dealer . ( Marijuana ) Will the welfare office look into claims of me being a drug dealer ? Does the SEA get involved with welfare claims ? Does the IRS get involved with welfare claims ? Are there attorneys that specialize specifically in this / these type scenarios ? I have enough money to pay an attorney but not enough to reach her outrageous demands .
Are you a drug dealer? If the answer is yes, you need to talk with a criminal law attorney ASAP. If you aren't then the only problem you MAY have is whether or not you will get parenting time with your baby, for which you may need a family law attorney, after he is born. BTW, even AFTER you pay her blackmail money, she could STILL "rat you out." I wouldn't give her money. Use it for a lawyer instead. Good luck.
In addition to Ms. Gruber's and Ms. Reisman's advice, don't post any more details about the drug dealing allegations on this site. I'm sure you already knew this, but some posters don't realize how easily accessible Avvo and other social media are and that your posts CAN be found and potentially used against you. Save the details for a private, confidential conversation with an criminal or family law attorney where your confidences are protected by the attorney-client privilege.
There is no free ride. If your girlfriend applies for state aid she will have to assign her right to go after you for child support to the state and they will come after you anyway for your share of support which can include the time during her pregnancy. If you are dealing drugs you risk going to jail either because your girlfriend reports you or someone else does. Your only solution is to stop dealing drugs
If you want to work with Marijuana as a legal medical Marijuana provider or grower find out what it takes to get licensed and make sure you are in compliance with the law. Understand that this is an evolving area of the law since the State legalizing certain uses of Marijuana doesn't over ride Federal Law which prohibits growing or selling. The federal government is still trying to decide what position to take on the issue.
Also understand that your role in this babies life in the future may be limited if you are a known drug dealer. Your girlfriend might feel that you are a dangerous person to be around your child and may have to report to the court the reason for her concerns. Once she reports anyone might use that information as it will be in the public record and it could lead to your arrest.
Your illegal career choice may also lead a court to restrict your right to parent or visit your child. Interestingly by trying to blackmail you for money, your girlfriend is essentially saying she is OK with you dealing drugs as long as she shares in the profits. I would certainly save her e-mails, letters, text messages, or voice mails that prove this as it may back fire on her later if you have a hearing on custody or parenting time, provided that you have stopped dealing by that time and have found a legitimate career.
Also be advised that the worst criminals in history, like Al Capone, while never convicted of their crimes were convicted and imprisoned for tax evasion. You probably are at risk for being similarly audited and convicted of failure to pay taxes even though your income is from an illegal occupation. People with illegal occupations can and do find a way to pay taxes without admitting the source of their income to avoid additional charges of tax evasion while at the same time not admitting they committed a crime. http://www.portlandlegalservices.com
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