NCJ Number
53315
Date Published
1978
Length
313 pages
Annotation
INSIDE INFORMATION ON ORGANIZED CRIME IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA AND ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THE FEDERAL PENITENTIARY AT ATLANTA, GA., IS PRESENTED IN TESTIMONY BEFORE A SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY WITNESS IS A FORMER ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA UNDERWORLD AND INMATE AT THE ATLANTA PENITENTIARY WHO DECIDED TO COOPERATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND TO PROVIDE CONGRESS WITH AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF HOW ORGANIZED CRIME OPERATES. THE WITNESS SPECIALIZED IN MURDER, LOAN SHARKING, ARSON, AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. HE DESCRIBES HIS OWN AND OTHERS' INVOLVEMENT IN THESE ACTIVITIES, NAMING NAMES AND RECOUNTING THE DETAILS OF SPECIFIC CRIMES. HE ALSO DESCRIBES CONTRACT MURDERS AT THE ATLANTA PRISON, HIS OWN DRUG-TRAFFICKING BUSINESS AS AN INMATE THERE, AND HIS ACTIVITIES AS A JAILHOUSE LAWYER. WHILE IN PRISON, THE WITNESS FILED NUMEROUS WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS, OFTEN FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BOGGING DOWN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND USED MATERIALS OBTAINED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT TO IDENTIFY PERSONS TO IDENTIFY INFORMANTS. THE WITNESS ALSO EXPLAINS HOW HE, A CONFESSED ORGANIZED-CRIME FIGURE AND MURDERER, WAS ABLE TO USE THE PROVISIONS OF THE BAIL REFORM ACT TO OBTAIN BAIL SO THAT HE COULD HUNT DOWN AND INTIMIDATE WITNESSES WHO WERE PREPARED TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM. THE WITNESS POINTS OUT WEAKNESSES IN THE PRISON SYSTEM, SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENTS, AND CRITICIZES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM. THIS IS PART 1 OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S HEARINGS. SEE NCJ-55496 AND 55497 FOR PARTS 2 AND 3. (LKM)