NCJ Number
204429
Date Published
2004
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This document discusses investigations of terrorist financing, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
Abstract
In May 2003, the United States Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security signed a Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement) concerning terrorist financing investigations, which contained a number of provisions designed to resolve jurisdictional issues and enhance interagency coordination. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was to have the lead role in investigating terrorist financing and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was to pursue terrorist financing solely through participation in FBI-led task forces. Based on the concern that the Agreement could adversely affect the ability to conduct investigations involving financial crimes, an evaluation on the existing authorities of the Secret Service and ICE to effectively carry out traditional financial crimes investigations was conducted. Initial evaluation showed that the Agreement pertains only to investigations and operations of the FBI and ICE and does not impact the investigative authority or operations of the Secret Service. This report discusses the status of the implementation of the Agreement; how it has affected the role of ICE regarding investigations of financial crimes; and what the potential challenges are to the successful implementation of the Agreement. As of February 2004, the FBI and ICE had implemented or taken concrete steps to implement most of the key Agreement provisions. Continued progress in implementing the Agreement depends on their ability to find strategies to overcome some challenges, such as establishing and maintaining effective interagency relationships. The Agreement generally has not affected ICE’s mission or role in investigating nonterrorism-related financial crimes. The successful implementation of the Agreement will require the FBI and ICE to find common space to work together, integrate organizational cultures, and ensure that the Agreement does not create a disincentive for ICE agents to initiate terrorist financing investigations. 14 footnotes