ADDRESS BY THE HONORABLE GRIFFIN B BELL, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION

• NCJ Number: 43447
• Author(s): G B BELL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS PROMOTING GREATER TRAINING AND GREATER COOPERATION AMONG FEDERAL AGENCIES TO FIGHT THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF ORGANIZED CRIME, NARCOTICS, PUBLIC CORRUPTION, AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH STREET CRIMES RECEIVE A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLICITY, THESE SHOULD NOT BE THE MAIN FOCUS OF FEDERAL CRIME FIGHTING ACTIVITY. LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, WITH FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE, ARE BEST EQUIPPED TO HANDLE LOCAL PROBLEMS. IN SEVERAL AREAS, HOWEVER, FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS MUST PLAY A LEADING ROLE. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE IS ORGANIZED CRIME. BECAUSE ORGANIZED CRIMES CROSS ALL JURISDICTIONS, INFILTRATE LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES AND LABOR UNIONS, AND REQUIRE SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES, THEY REQUIRE FULL FEDERAL RESOURCES. AT PRESENT, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ARE FORMING SPECIAL TEAMS TO ATTACK ORGANIZED CRIME'S INVOLVEMENT IN ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFIC. THE PRESIDENT'S REORGANIZATION PROJECT IS CURRENTLY STUDYING POSSIBLE WAYS TO COMBINE FORCES FROM MANY AGENCIES, REMOVE ARBITRARY JURISDICTIONS, AND DEVELOP THE ESPRIT NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE CRIME FIGHTING. GREATER ATTENTION IS ALSO BEING PAID TO FEDERAL PROGRAM FRAUD, ESPECIALLY MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FRAUD. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND WITH CONGRESS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF FRAUD BEFORE THE PROGRAM IS IN TROUBLE. SPECIAL TRAINING AND SPECIAL TASK FORCES WHICH INCLUDE ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHERS FAMILIAR WITH BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE BEING MOBILIZED TO FIGHT WHITE COLLAR CRIME. TRADITIONALLY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COURTS HAVE FOCUSED ON THE ROBBER WHO TAKES A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS FROM A LIQUOR STORE. SENTENCING SHOULD BE EQUALLY SEVERE FOR THE WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL WHO EMBEZZLES SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM A LIQUOR DISTRIBUTOR. COSTS OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME ARE SOARING. IT NEEDS AS MUCH ENFORCEMENT EFFORT AS MORE TRADITIONAL TYPES OF CRIME. NEWLY DEVELOPED JUSTICE DEPARTMENT UNITS WILL, HOPEFULLY, PROVIDE THIS ENFORCEMENT EFFORT.