WINCANTON - THE POLITICS OF CORRUPTION (FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE - LAW AND POLITICS, 1972, BY G F COLE - SEE NCJ-25794)

• NCJ Number: 25800
• Author(s): J A GARDINER; D J OLSON
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 31 pages
• Corporate Author: Wadsworth Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CASE STUDY OF A CITY AND ITS CITIZENS (WHOSE NAMES HAVE CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT) WHO DESIRE THE INCOMPATIBLE GOALS OF EASILY ACCESSIBLE GAMBLING AND FREEDOM FROM RACKET DOMINATION.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR TRACES THE PATTERNS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION THAT CAN SPREAD TO NEARLY ALL ASPECTS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGH AN OPEN DOOR POLICY TOWARDS GAMBLING. ALTHOUGH POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE USUALLY INTRODUCED MORE DISCREETLY THAN THE FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS OBSERVED IN WINCANTON, THE POTENTIAL FOR ORGANIZED CRIME TO EXTRACT FAVORS FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS IS WELL ILLUSTRATED. OF INTEREST IS THE FACT THAT IT WAS THE OUTSIDE FORCE OF FEDERAL INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES WHICH WERE MOST PROMINENT IN STEMMING LOCAL CORRUPTION. THE ROLE OF PUBLIC OPINION AND AN ALERT CITIZENRY IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CRIME ARE QUESTIONS WHICH THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS REQUIRE FURTHER STUDY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)