NCJ Number
70992
Date Published
1980
Length
180 pages
Annotation
This study examines the incidence of reported and unreported extortion in Hawaii and possible remedies to the problem.
Abstract
The five categories of extortion examined included unsophisticated extortion, sophisticated extortion, extortion by school students, extortion by individuals in government, and organized crime operations. Data were collected through review of police and court records, a survey of 15,000 small businesses, establishment of a confidential message center for use by victims and informants, and interviews with victims, informants, and law enforcement agencies. Results indicated that extortion is a widespread problem, but it is one of the least reported and least prosecuted crimes in Hawaii. Since the 1920's, less than 130 cases of extortion have resulted in arrests. The most common forms of extortion are unsophisticated incidents of individuals acting alone. The most important types of extortion involve extortion by public officials, extortion by organized crime, and threats against medical professionals. The growth of an organized crime syndicate in Hawaii has increased extortion. Victims are reluctant to report extortion because they fear reprisals and lack confidence in the criminal justice system. Proscution is hampered by lack of victim and witness cooperation and lack of credible evidence. In 1979, the Hawaii legislature passed a new extortion statute which removed extortion from the theft statute, combined it with criminal coercion, and added a section on extortionate credit transactions. Some Federal laws also apply to extortionate activity in Hawaii. Hawaii's law may be the broadest of all State extortion law. It is recommended that all State agencies establish and fund witness protection programs, that prosecutors take more extortion cases to court, and that stiff sentences be encouraged and publicized. Additional recommendations, tables, footnotes, numerous case examples, and a bibliography listing 62 references are included. Appendixes discuss other State extortion statutes, a Hawaii-controlled drug law, and description of a seminar for potential victims of terrorism or extortion.