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WHITE-COLLAR CRIME Overview The White Collar Crime Program is a multi-faceted investigative area. Broadly, white-collar crime is considered to be a non-violent crime that results in economic loss. Despite its lack of violence, white-collar crime has a greater impact on the United States economy than any other type of crime problem. In the Indianapolis Division, there are several sub-programs investigated under the white-collar crime umbrella. The primary areas include government fraud, health care fraud, financial institution fraud, environmental crime, and public corruption. Civil rights matters are also investigated under this umbrella. Due to the wide variety of violations investigated in the white-collar crime area, many investigations are conducted jointly with other agencies having overlapping jurisdictions. FBI Indianapolis white-collar crime investigators currently participate in joint task forces involving environmental crimes, health care fraud, and public corruption. Currently, FBI Indianapolis is also working together with other law enforcement agencies on the federal, state, and local levels to establish a computer crime investigative center. In order to insure the broadest approach to this emerging crime problem, this center is also incorporating assistance from academia and the private sector. The FBI’s role in this center will also become a part of the overall white-collar crime program. Public Corruption Program There is no more fundamental threat to the order upon which our local, state and federal governments are based than public corruption. Public corruption is the number one priority of the Indianapolis White-Collar Crime Program, and can come in many forms, especially payoffs to public officials. These payoffs or bribes can effect the safety of construction projects, the health of the environment, and the legitimacy of public institutions. This breach of the public's trust affects both the individual victims and the community as a whole. The FBI has a continuing responsibility to respond to allegations or development of information within the FBI's jurisdiction involving abuse of trust by public officials. A public official is an individual elected or appointed to a position of trust in a government entity or political subdivision thereof. Public corruption investigations are viewed as one of the most sensitive investigative matters the FBI handles. These investigations demand and receive a circumspect and prudent approach. Much can be at stake for any victim and/or public official who becomes a focus of a corruption investigation. There is usually intense media attention surrounding these investigations. The reputation of the official and the victim may be adversely or irretrievably affected. There are instances when public corruption goes undetected by law enforcement due to the lack of cooperation by those who have intimate knowledge of these crimes, to include victims who fear some type of retaliation by the accused public official. When illegal deeds by public officials go unreported, they can perpetuate an ongoing cycle of corruption within the affected community. It is every citizen's duty and responsibility to report such activity to protect themselves and their communities from present and future corrupt activities of public officials which can cause local, state and federal governments and their inhabitants untold financial hardships and other harm. The FBI needs your help to root out corruption in your community. Call your nearest FBI office with any pertinent corruption information. FBI White Collar Crime Program Links: Government Fraud Health Care Fraud Financial Institution Fraud Economic Crimes Civil Rights
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Last Updated: 10/22/02 01:50 PM |
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