Organized Crime and Gangs

CHAPTER 20

ORGANIZED CRIME AND GANGS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter, students will have a basic understanding of

1. Distinguishing characteristics between gangs and organized crime

2. Difficulties involved in prosecuting Mafia members prior to 1970

3. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

4. The Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982

5. The crime of witness tampering

6. Money laundering and “structured transactions”

7. Additional federal and state laws used to combat organized crime

KEY TERMS

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt CTRs [p.448]

Organizations Act (RICO) [p.443] The Travel Act [p.448]

Continuing Criminal Enterprise Witness tampering [p.443]

Statute (CCE) [p.443] Federal witness protection

Mail and wire fraud [p.450] program [p.446]

Bribery [p.446] Extortion [p.448]

Money laundering [p.447]

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS

1. Historically, could organized crime have achieved the level that it did without the acquiescence, if not corruption, of public officials? How does organized crime exist today?

2. How do you account for the growth of violent gangs in the United States over the past twenty years? What attracts members to join?

3. Considering the attempts made by cities and states to regulate gang activity, what more needs to be done?

4. Is the federal government better able than the states to prosecute members of organized crime? What about gang members?

5. The U.S. Supreme Court has held it is a person’s civic duty to testify and give information in both civil and criminal cases, even when witnesses fear for their lives because of such testimony. Do you agree? Is the federal witness protection program sufficient to alleviate their fears?

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