NCJ Number
148382
Date Published
1989
Length
272 pages
Annotation
Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice considers the announced intention of Attorney General Thornburgh to merge organized crime strike forces with U.S. attorneys' offices.
Abstract
Edward Dennis, acting Deputy Attorney General, explains the benefits of this proposed organizational change. One benefit would be a comprehensive use of the Justice Department's resources against organized crime. Another benefit would be that the personal relationships and local clout of the U.S. Attorney would forge alliances with local district attorneys, State attorneys general, and State and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime. There would also be a cost savings, which would result from economies of scale and the elimination of duplicative efforts. A former strike force attorney opposes the consolidation, as he argues it will precipitate an exodus of talented, experienced, and knowledgeable prosecutors from the Federal system. A former U.S. attorney also argues against the proposed consolidation. He says that the proposed consolidation is not designed to make organized crime investigations and prosecutions more effective, but rather to give U.S. attorneys offices the glory in the fight against organized crime. He reasons that the current system works, and any change may seriously impede a successful program.