NCJ Number
70275
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A speech by an LEAA official given at the 1978 meeting of the American Society of Criminology describes LEAA-funded research projects on white-collar crime and important areas for future study.
Abstract
Two major projects currently supported by LEAA are an analysis of Federal, State, and local actions taken against the 600 largest United States corporations during 1975-76, and a study of employee theft based on a survey of electronics manufacturing firms, hospitals, and department stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The Yale White-Collar Crime Program is a 5-year project that includes a series of studies by individuals and small groups of researchers. Examples of subjects being explored are Securities and Exchange Commission investigations, the role of the Federal prosecutor, sentencing patterns, and commercial bribery. Research reports completed by the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (NILECJ) have addressed problems of consumer fraud, Government benefit program frauds, and corruption in Government agencies. Other NILECJ projects have concerned organized crime and an evaluation of data sources on white-collar crime. Also, several significant demonstration and training projects have been funded by LEAA. The high profits and low rates of apprehension have attracted criminal syndicates to white-collar crime, and LEAA has responded by supporting programs to investigate frauds involving land, securities, and insurance. LEAA's National Criminal Justice Information and Statistics Service has sponsored research concerning the computer as a tool for investigations, as well as criminal activities. In 1977, a committee was established to coordinate activities and develop an overall strategy concerning white-collar crime projects. Subject areas that will demand attention in the future are also discussed.