Statement of John F Sopko, Assistant Counsel to the Minority Staff, January 25, 1984 (From Profile of Organized Crime - Great Lakes Region Hearings, P 307-326, 1984 - See NCJ-94574)

• NCJ Number: 94576
• Author(s): J F Sopko
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 20 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-94574

Annotation

The opinions of a Senate investigator on organized crime's current status in the Great Lakes region are provided in a prepared statement to a Senate hearing.

Abstract

Between 1975 and 1977, the Cosa Nostra engaged in a violent feud over control of criminal activity in Northeast Ohio. This feud prompted one of the largest organized crime investigations in modern times. In spite of criminal infiltration of the FBI's Cleveland office, successful Strike Force prosecutions in 1980, 1982, and 1983 brought about the eventual demise of the Cleveland Cosa Nostra family. In addition, police surveillance was able to thwart a plot to kill the mayor or Cleveland. However, organized crime and political corruption remain a major problem in Northeast Ohio. Youngstown, Ohio, is an example of this problem. Through such activities as gambling and narcotics, organized crime has become a virtual 'special interest group.' Using money raised from these activities, organized crime is able to engage in extensive political corruption. The lack of cooperation between various regional and local law enforcement agencies hampers anticrime efforts. Federal emphasis on the Cosa Nostra also impairs successful crime fighting efforts.