NEW YORK'S EXPERIENCE (FROM COMBATTING ORGANIZED CRIME, 1978 - SEE NCJ-48903)

• NCJ Number: 53826
• Author(s): M SPOONT
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: National Assoc of Attorneys General
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

NEW YORK'S ATTEMPTS TO DEAL WITH ORGANIZED CRIME FROM STATE LEVEL ARE DESCRIBED FROM HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.

Abstract

THE NEW YORK EXPERIENCE IN ATTEMPTING TO DEAL WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL IS OF COMPARATIVELY RECENT ORIGIN. THE ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1970 TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE ORGANIZED CRIME ACTIVITIES CARRIED ON BETWEEN TWO OR MORE COUNTIES OR BETWEEN NEW YORK STATE AND ANOTHER JURISDICTION AND TO COOPERATE WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN THEIR EFFORTS AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS. THERE IS ALSO ADMINISTRATIVE SUBPOENA POWER WITH THE TASK FORCE, ALTHOUGH THIS IS HIGHLY RESTRICTIVE IN ITS USE. EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE GRAND JURY HAVE FAILED. THE FORMATIVE YEARS OF THE TASK FORCE WERE DIFFICULT, AS MANY OF ITS PERSONNEL WERE ASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATE THE ATTICA INCIDENT, AND LAWS WERE PASSED THAT GREATLY HAMPERED THE INVESTIGATORY PROCEDURES OF THE TASK FORCE. STILL, DURING THE BEGINNING YEARS, THE TASK FORCE APPEARED BEFORE GRAND JURIES IN 11 DIFFERENT COUNTIES. IN ADDITION, LEGAL CASES WERE GIVEN TO 17 DIFFERENT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, AS WELL AS OFFICIALS IN 3 OTHER STATES AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. FURTHER, THE TASK FORCE RENDERED ACCOUNTING OR INVESTIGATIVE AID TO DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN AN ADDITIONAL 16 COUNTIES. THROUGH THE END OF 1973, THE TASK FORCE HAD OBTAINED INDICTMENTS AGAINST 44 DEFENDANTS, WITH 25 CONVICTIONS AND 6 ACQUITTALS HAVING OCCURRED TO THAT DATE FOR THE CRIMES OF EXTORTION, USURY, CONSPIRACY, BRIBERY, FORGERY, GRAND LARCENY, GAMBLING, TAX VIOLATIONS, STOLEN PROPERTY, PERJURY, AND CONTEMPT. INVESTIGATIONS TURNED OVER TO OTHER AGENCIES PRODUCED 157 INDICTMENTS IN 1973, AND AS OF THAT DATE 12 CONVICTIONS HAD BEEN SECURED FROM 18 CASES TRIED. SOME LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE ARE DISCUSSED. THE STATE'S OPPOSITION TO ORGANIZED CRIME IS DEEMED MINIMAL DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUNDING AND THE PUBLIC'S CONCERN WITH MORE VISIBLE STREET CRIME. (RCB)