NCJ Number
47246
Journal
Trooper Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 87,89,91
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE EXTENT AND COST OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE PROBLEMS AND POSSIBILITIES OF COUNTERMEASURES ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
FIGURES ARE QUOTED SHOWING THE HUGE COST, PASSED ON TO THE PUBLIC IN HIGHER PRICES AND REDUCED TAX REVENUES, OF THE FRAUD AND EMBEZZLEMENT THAT CONSTITUTES WHITE COLLAR CRIME. IT IS NOTED THAT THE IMPACT AND THREATENING CHARACTER OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME IS LARGELY LOST TO THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BECAUSE OF ITS GENERALLY CORPORATE NATURE, THE LACK OF DIRECT CONFRONTATION OF THE OFFENDERS WITH ILL-DEFINED VICTIMS, AND THE MEDIA'S CHOICE TO HIGHLIGHT STREET CRIME. CORPORATE WHITE COLLAR CRIME IS CITED AS BEING PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO DETER THROUGH SANCTIONS, BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF ASSESSING PREMEDITATED RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AND THE EASE WITH WHICH CORPORATIONS ABSORB FINES AND PASS LOSSES ON TO THE CONSUMER IN HIGHER PRICES. THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF PROSECUTING WHITE COLLAR CRIME ON A BROAD SCALE IS ALSO CITED AS FACTOR INHIBITING COUNTERMEASURES. SKILLED ACCOUNTANTS WORKING MANY MAN-HOURS ARE REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A CRIME AND UNCOVER EVIDENCE SUFFICIENT FOR CONVICTION, WITH THE FINAL RESULT OFTEN BEING A 'SLAP ON THE WRIST' FOR THE OFFENDER. ONE COUNTERMEASURE PROJECT MENTIONED IS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION UNDER FUNDING BY LEAA, WHICH PROVIDES FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON MAJOR FRAUD CASES FROM CITY TO CITY, AS WELL AS SUPPLYING FUNDS FOR EXPANDING STAFFS DEALING WITH WHITE COLLAR CRIME. A LIST OF 10 WAYS FOR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TO COMBAT WHITE COLLAR CRIME, PUBLISHED IN U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, IS ALSO INCLUDED. (RCB)