NCJ Number
156642
Date Published
1987
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report evaluated the accomplishments reported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) in terms of actual penalties imposed versus maximum concurrent penalties authorized by statute, amount of criminal fines assessed against offenders versus amount collected, validity of certain claims made by OCDETF, and compliance with task force guidelines requiring U.S. Attorney approval for plea negotiations.
Abstract
OCDETF reported that its program secured the conviction of 1,408 drug offenders during 1983 and 1984; GAO identified 1,528 convicted offenders. Of these, about 80 percent were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, with approximately 30 percent receiving sentences exceeding 5 years. OCDETF reported that $9,624,000 in criminal fines were assessed; the GAO identified $9,607,900. In addition, OCDETF reported $157.6 million in nondrug asset seizures and $52 million in forfeitures to the government. Of the 1,697 cases reviewed here, which included 169 offenders convicted in 1985, 387 offenders pleaded guilty to less than the most serious charge. Prosecutors in these jurisdictions reported that, in general, OCDETF guidelines regarding approval for plea bargaining were not followed. In terms of the 64 offenders who had prior Federal felony drug convictions, prosecutors sought the enhanced penalty for 27, but did not seek it for the remaining 37 offenders. OCDETF guidelines do not require U.S. Attorney approval for these decisions. 3 tables and 1 figure