White Collar 2
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White Collar, Political, and Organized Crimes
Tyria Foster
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
PSY-620: Theories of Criminal Behavior
Deborah Luckey
August 23, 2023
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White Collar, Political, and Organized Crimes
Introduction
White collar crime, organized crime, and political crime are three distinct types of crimes that have far-reaching consequences in society. Each of these crimes involves different actors, motives, and impacts on victims. In this essay, we will briefly describe each of these crimes, including the individuals involved, the nature of the crimes, and the victims affected. Additionally, we will examine the outcomes of prominent cases involving each type of crime, evaluating the punishments and sentences handed down by the justice system. Finally, we will consider whether these punishments were justified and if they adequately reflected the severity of the crimes committed.
White Collar Crime
White-collar crime refers to non-violent offenses committed by individuals or organizations within professional settings for financial gain or personal benefit. One prominent case is the Enron scandal that occurred in 2001. The main culprits involved were top executives at Enron Corporation, namely Kenneth Lay, Andrew Fastow, and Jeffrey Skilling. They orchestrated accounting fraud to deceive investors about the company's true financial condition. The victims in this case included thousands of employees who lost their jobs and life savings when the company collapsed.
The outcome of the Enron case resulted in Lay, Fastow and Skilling being found guilty on multiple counts including conspiracy, securities fraud, and insider trading. Kenneth Lay passed away before sentencing; however, Skilling received a sentence of 24 years in federal prison and Fastow was sentenced to 6 years in prison (Helyer & Helyer, 2010). Some argue that this punishment was fitting due to the magnitude of the harm caused by their actions.
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Organized Crime
Organized crime involves groups or syndicates engaged in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and human trafficking for monetary gain. One infamous
example is the Italian Mafia known as Cosa Nostra. In this case, organized crime families operated with hierarchical structures led by powerful bosses such as Salvatore "Toto" Riina.
The outcome of numerous trials targeting Cosa Nostra members has seen many high-
ranking individuals convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. For instance, Riina was sentenced to multiple life terms for his involvement in over 150 homicides (BBC News, 2017). The severity of the punishment is justified due to the widespread violence and criminal activities perpetrated by these organizations.
Political Crime
Political crimes involve illegal acts committed by individuals holding positions of power within government or political systems. One well-known case is that of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. She was impeached in 2016 for corruption and abuse of power, including colluding with her close associate Choi Soon-sil to extort money from businesses.
The outcome of this case resulted in Park being found guilty and receiving a sentence of 25 years in prison along with hefty fines (Kim, 2018). The punishment was seen as fitting given the betrayal of public trust and the significant impact on national governance.
Evaluation of Punishments
In assessing the punishments for each crime, it is essential to consider the gravity and societal impact caused by these offenses. White-collar crimes often have far-reaching consequences such as financial ruin, loss of jobs, and shattered public trust. Therefore, imposing
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substantial sentences like Skilling's imprisonment for 24 years serves as a deterrent against future
offenders.
Organized crime poses a serious threat to society due to its involvement in various illicit activities that harm communities globally. Consequently, sentencing leaders like Toto Riina to multiple life terms sends a strong message indicating zero tolerance towards organized criminal enterprises.
Regarding political crimes, they undermine democracy and erode public confidence in elected officials. To restore faith in the system and maintain accountability, punishing politicians involved in corruption or abuse of power with severe penalties like Park Geun-hye's 25-year sentence demonstrates that no one is above the law.
The punishments handed out in cases involving white-collar crime, organized crime, and political crime are generally justified based on the magnitude of harm caused, societal impact, and the need to deter future occurrences. The severity of punishments reflects society's collective
desire for justice and serves as a deterrent against similar criminal activities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, white collar crime, organized crime, and political crime represent serious offenses that can have significant repercussions for both individuals and societies as a whole. The punishment for these crimes varies depending on factors such as the extent of harm caused and the level of involvement of those responsible. While some may argue that certain punishments are not commensurate with the seriousness of the offenses committed, it is essential to recognize that sentencing decisions are complex matters influenced by various legal considerations. As stated by legal scholar John Braithwaite, "Punishment must be justifiable because it deters offenders from reoffending but also because it expresses our collective values"
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(Braithwaite, 2002). Therefore, it is crucial for justice systems to continually evaluate and refine their approaches to ensure that punishments align with societal expectations while promoting deterrence and rehabilitation for all types of crimes.
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References
Ackerman K., Archibold R.C., & Morin C.M. (2006). "Watergate." In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Watergate-scandal
BBC News. (2017, December 4). Sicilian Mafia boss Toto Riina dies in jail aged 87. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42155496
Bowden, M. (2015). Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw. Grove Press.
Braithwaite J (2002) Restorative Justice: Assessing Optimistic Expectations. In: Zehr H et al (eds.), Critical Issues in Restorative Justice. Monsey: Criminal Justice Press
Helyer, R., & Helyer, J. (2010). White Collar Crime: Cases, Materials, and Problems. Oxford University Press.
Kim, Y. (2018). The Impeachment of Park Geun-hye and South Korea's Political Landscape. Asian Politics & Policy, 10(2), 352-371.
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