What is embezzlement?

Embezzlement is defined as the breach of a relationship of trust that results in the unlawful taking or use of someone else's money or property. This crime typically involves individuals in positions of authority or responsibility, such as employees or managers, who take advantage of their position to misappropriate funds or assets entrusted to them. The essence of embezzlement lies in the trust that is violated; it specifically requires that the perpetrator has a lawful right to access the property or funds but uses that access for unlawful purposes.

This focus on trust distinguishes embezzlement from other theft-related crimes. For instance, while the theft of property from a business might involve a straightforward taking of items, embezzlement explicitly involves the misuse of entrusted access. Similarly, illegal downloading of copyrighted material pertains to intellectual property and does not involve a breach of trust in the same manner. Lastly, stealing goods from a retail store generally falls under shoplifting rather than embezzlement, as it does not involve a fiduciary relationship. Thus, the correct definition of embezzlement revolves around this breach of trust and the misappropriation of funds or property.