NCJ Number
58295
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE REMARKS OF FOUR PARTICIPANTS IN AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE WORKSHOP ON WHITE-COLLAR CRIME ARE DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE WORKSHOP MODERATOR, A NEW YORK CITY POLICE EXECUTIVE, REVIEWS BRIEFLY THE NATURE, COSTS, AND EXTENT OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME. THE PRESIDENT OF A LARGE CORPORATION DISCUSSES WORKPLACE CRIME, NOTING THE COSTS OF EMPLOYEE THEFT TO THE PUBLIC, THE PERVASIVENESS OF WORKPLACE CRIME, AND THE MOTIVES BEHIND SUCH CRIME. CORPORATIONS ARE URGED TO SUPPORT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM EFFORTS TO COMBAT WORKPLACE CRIME, TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO EMPLOYEES THAT THEFT FROM THE COMPANY IS NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY, AND TO REDUCE EMPLOYEE FEELINGS OF HOSTILITY AND ALIENATION THAT MOTIVATE MUCH WORKPLACE CRIME. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CITES THAT AGENCY'S PROBLEMS WITH CORRUPTION OF ITS BENEFIT PROGRAMS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TAXPAYER. THE SUCCESSES AND PROBLEMS OF THE AGENCY'S ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE PROGRAM FRAUD ARE DESCRIBED. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DISCUSSES THE DEPARTMENT'S DEFINITION OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME AS 'THOSE NONVIOLENT OFFENSES WHICH PRINCIPALLY INVOLVE ELEMENTS OF DECEIT, DECEPTION, CONCEALMENT, CORRUPTION, MISREPRESENTATION, AND BREACH OF TRUST.' THAT THE DEFINITION DOES NOT ALLUDE TO THE SOCIAL CLASS OF THE OFFENDER IS POINTED OUT. REASONS BEHIND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM'S CONCENTRATION ON TYPES OF CRIME OTHER THAN WHITE-COLLAR OFFENSES ARE CONSIDERED. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT WHITE-COLLAR CRIME IS SERIOUS AND PERVASIVE, AND THAT INVESTIGATORS AND PROSECUTORS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO COMBAT IT. TWELVE 'BADGES OF FRAUD'--PROMISES OF UNUSUAL RETURNS, BACK DATING, LIFETIME GUARANTEE, OR INCOME FOR LIFE, ETC.--ARE LISTED.