NCJ Number
79206
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Stephen Delinsky, a prosecuting attorney for Suffolk County, Mass., (Boston) discusses arson-for-profit at a seminar at the National College of District Attorneys.
Abstract
The ultimate aim of the prosecuting attorney is to deter the commitment of more arson-for-profit crimes. This type of arson is a crime of preparation, a crime of cognition, a white-collar crime committed by business people. Deterrence has impact on this kind of people. In the Boston area, the rate of incendiary fires decreased 60 percent in 1978 from that in 1977 after the indictment of numerous prominent individuals in an arson-for-profit ring in the fall of 1977. Arson-for-profit can be investigated in two ways: using circumstantial evidence and direct evidence, with information provided by informants. An arson-for-profit ring usually consists of three levels: the owners themselves, the arson-broker (middleman), and the arsonist. Particular cases are discussed to show that in prosecuting arson cases, the potential for corruption of law enforcement officials exists, especially where responsibilities of various agencies overlap. Another particularly broad investigation uncovered an arsonist who was involved in more than 80 fires, mainly in the Symphony Road area of Boston. He was granted transactional immunity in return for his testimony which led to the prosecution of apartment building owners, corrupt law enforcement personnel, and others who profited from arson. Questions and answers are included in the talk.