Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Husband stole. Could I be punished?

Basically, my husband stole money to pay for a trip and our honeymoon. I found out a few months later when we bought a house. It's been 6 months and we haven't told anyone. If this comes to light, can I be punished as well? To my knowledge, he did not steal after I found out.

Thanks

4 Answers

Relevance
  • ?
    Lv 7
    7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    This could be termed conspiracy (or being an accessory) after the fact. This is someone who knows that a crime has occurred but nonetheless helps to conceal it. This could lead to charges of obstructing justice if under oath you deny knowledge of the offence or do anything to destroy evidence.

  • 7 years ago

    If you live in a community property state, you owe the debt, just as he does and you will be prosecuted along with him. It makes no difference that you didn't know. That is how "community property" works.

    If you are young, you should consider divorcing him. I'd bet $1,000 that this is just the beginning of a lifetime of anguish with him.

    If you do not live in a community property state, it could go either way. Whoever he stole the money from would likely sue you both and you would have to try and prove you didn't know about the theft. In any event, you reaped the benefits of the theft so you should probably retain a lawyer in this case. However, if criminal charges are laid, a civil suit cannot be initiated until the criminal charges are finished.

    Good luck with this criminal loser and I hope you divorce him. He could be in and out of jail for the rest of his life and, you will be associated with such a criminal.

    Source(s): Certified Paralegal
  • ?
    Lv 7
    7 years ago

    It...really depends. If you profited from it, and knowingly concealed the crime, then yes, you could be considered an accomplice after the fact; but that would also be hard to prove, especially given 'spousal shield law' -in most jurisdictions, a spouse cannot be forced to testify against their partner.

  • 7 years ago

    You can not be punished however any money in your joint account could be taken to pay back the money. Sounds like you married a loser. Not too late to get the marriage annulled.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.