This is why the idea of ""money laundering" doesn't make sense. There is a previous action that obtained said value by some other illegal means. Hiding it doesn't seem like a crime. Maybe destroying evidence is but again destroying the evidence is not really any more of an ethical issue than the actual crime committed. Is hiding a murder weapon ever a consideration in criminal counts or sentencing? I never heard of a thief being charged with throwing his gloves in a dumpster.

We then have to parse gifts, favors, patronage... all kinds of value are transferred all the time. Is it money laundering when the bar tender says "on the house" When does it start or end?