NCJ Number
64245
Journal
WASHINGTON MONTHLY Volume: 3 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1972) Pages: 8-12
Date Published
1972
Length
5 pages
Annotation
BRIBERY, FRAUD, AND EXTORTION ARE ENDEMIC AMONG STATE AND LOCAL POLITICIANS AND WILL CONTINUE OR INCREASE UNDER THE NEW FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH AMERICANS IN THEORY SUPPORT PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND STRUCTURAL FAVORITISM, BRIBES AND UNDER-THE-TABLE HANDOUTS ARE LONGSTANDING TRADITIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, THE FICTIONAL CHARACTER PLUNKETT OF TAMMANY HALL DESCRIBED POLITICS AS A BUSINESS JUST LIKE THE GROCERY OR DRY GOODS BUSINESS. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AMPLY ILLUSTRATE PLUNKETT'S CHARACTERIZATION. IN A RECENT 32-MONTH PERIOD, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OBTAINED INDICTMENTS OR CONVICTIONS OF OVER 170 STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ON CHARGES CONNECTED WITH ORGANIZED CRIME. A NEW YORK SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS INDICTED FOR PAYING A REPUBLICAN LEADER $50,000 IN RETURN FOR THE NOMINATION TO THE COURT. SIMILARLY, A FORMER ILLINOIS GOVERNOR WAS INDICTED FOR BRIBERY, MAIL FRAUD, TAX EVASION, PERJURY, AND CONSPIRACY. OTHER CASES HAVE INVOLVED STATE ADMINISTRATORS, STATE LEGISLATORS, MAYORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND PURCHASING AGENTS. THE INDICTMENTS DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF BRIBERY, EXTORTION, AND FRAUD, BECAUSE THEIR SUCCESS IS MORE CERTAIN THAN ARE INDICTMENTS. REVENUE SHARING, WHICH WILL SEND MORE FEDERAL MONEY TO THE STATES, APEARS TO BE MORE OF A TEMPTATION THAN OF A PROMISE FOR REFORM. THE DEATH OF CITY POLITICAL MACHINES HAS CHANGED THE SCENE BUT NOT THE EXTENT OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION. INSTEAD OF BUYING VOTES FROM BOSSES, CANDIDATES BUY TELEVISION TIME OR DEAL WITH POLITICAL INVESTORS. VOTERS SEEM UNAWARE OF THIS CORRUPTION, BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND AND HARDER TO FORCE DISCLOSURE. WITHOUT DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS, REVENUE SHARING MAY MERELY INTENSIFY THE EXISTING PROBLEMS. (CFW)