NCJ Number
101139
Date Published
1986
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This statement on Federal efforts against white-collar crime discusses its nature and costs, prosecution policies, management initiatives, enforcement results, and factors important to continued success.
Abstract
White-collar crimes stem from offenders' desires for economic gain, and they are usually carefully planned and implemented under a facade of legitimacy. White-collar crimes not only harm the direct victims but siphon billions of dollars annually from the economy. Federal policies are to deter and sanction white-collar crime through Federal criminal prosecutions as well as noncriminal sanctions. White-collar cases are prosecuted under the same principles that govern the prosecutions of other types of Federal offenses. Corporations as well as corporate culpable individuals are targeted for prosecution. Plea agreements are carefully evaluated to ensure that justice is served. Sentencing policy is to encourage the use of imprisonment and heavy monetary penalties as appropriate for a crime's severity. Management efforts to counter white-collar crime include the creation of the Economic Crime Council, the Defense Procurement Fraud Unit, the interagency agreement on bank fraud cases, and the Environmental Crimes Unit. Policy effectiveness can be documented with statistics and the significance of recent convictions. Continued effectiveness depends on priorities, resources, more effective tools, and sentencing reform.