NCJ Number
89689
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This report presents data on the activities of California's Special Prosecutions Unit for 1981, and descriptions are given of specific cases resolved and in process.
Abstract
The Special Prosecutions Unit (SPU) was formed by the attorney general to discharge the statutory mandate given to the Department of Justice of 'initiating and participating in the prosecution of individuals and groups involved in organized crime activities.' The SPU is composed of six attorney-agent teams, with a team consisting of one deputy attorney general and two special agents. Specific goals and objectives are the initiation and participation in the prosecution of (1) syndicated organized crime figures and their associates, (2) members of other recognized organized crime groups, (3) persons and groups engaged in economic crime conducted in a multijurisdictional setting and having a substantial monetary impact on citizens, and (4) persons and groups engaged in major narcotic trafficking. Since becoming operational in 1979, the SPU, through April 1982, has initiated or participated in 52 criminal prosecutions. Prosecutions have resulted in the conviction of 62 defendants for 153 felony counts. Fifty percent of those sentenced thus far have received either State or Federal prison terms, which is a commitment rate considerably higher than the statewide rate of about 33 percent. The success of the SPU can also be measured by the fact that 90 percent of the cases accepted for prosecution resulted in convictions. Among those prosecuted by the SPU were 14 organized crime members or associates. Six major narcotics rings were also broken. Additionally, several major fraud prosecutions were undertaken, involving losses ranging from $300,000-$40 million.