NCJ Number
186445
Journal
Journal of Financial Crime Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 12-20
Date Published
August 2000
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article discusses countering and minimizing crime by public officials and corporations.
Abstract
Public official crimes are illegalities perpetrated by public officials exploiting their office for self-enrichment. Examples of this type of crime include corruption, bribery, economic mismanagement, nepotism, and embezzlement. Corporate crime involves offenses committed by companies or their agents against members of the public, the environment, creditors, investors, or corporate competitors. The article examines public official crimes, reasons for them, and their impact on the economy in Australia, South Africa, Botswana, and Singapore. Measures to combat public official crime include: (1) training public servants in best practice; (2) promoting democratic accountability; (3) encouraging a watchful and alert opposition, electorate, and press; and (4) instituting efficient policies toward social and economic reform. Specific measures against corporate crime, in addition to promoting corporate integrity, involve heavy prison terms and other penalties for offenders, rotation of corporate staff, and encouragement of whistleblowing. Table, references