NCJ Number
102922
Date Published
1985
Length
763 pages
Annotation
This report examines the scope and extent of the involvement of organized criminal groups in labor and management racketeering and in infiltration of legitimate businesses and presents recommendations for Federal legislation and the administration of justice to address these problems.
Abstract
Throughout the economy, organized crime distorts the cost of doing business through theft, extortion, bribery, price fixing, and restraint of trade. In many cases, the crucial element in this marketplace corruption is the control and exploitation of labor unions by organized criminals. In many labor racketeering schemes, legitimate businesses have willingly cooperated with organized crime and have derived benefits such as decreased labor costs, inflated prices, or increased business in a market. The costs of labor racketeering are borne not only by union members but by society as a whole. The first step in ending labor racketeering is recognizing that the problem is both persistent and pervasive throughout many areas of the United States. The current overall effort by government agencies to deal with the problem is fragmented and lacks adequate coordination. In addition, criminal prosecutions alone are insufficient to deal with the problem. Moreover, some laws need revision or supplementation, while others, such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute and union decertification laws, need to be used more. A national strategy is needed to remove organized crime from the marketplace. Specific recommendations and chapter notes.