NCJ Number
44576
Date Published
1977
Length
52 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN FLORIDA IS PRESENTED, AND THE ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE COUNCIL, INCLUDING ITS MEMBERSHIP, STAFF ORGANIZATION, AND OBJECTIVES. THREE CLASSIFICATIONS OF ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ARE DEFINED: TRADITIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME AND RACKETEERING GROUPS; NONTRADITIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS (E.G., MANY NARCOTICS-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS); AND OTHER ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GROUPS (E.G., TERRORIST GROUPS AND ROBBERY AND BURGLARY RINGS). AN OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZED CRIME SITUATION IN FLORIDA INCLUDED A 3-PAGE LISTING IDENTIFYING ORGANIZED CRIME FIGURES, THEIR STATUS IN LA COSA NOSTRA, AND THE NATURE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA. CANADIAN ORGANIZED CRIME INFLUENCES IN FLORIDA ARE DISCUSSED, AS IS ORGANIZED CRIME INVOLVEMENT IN WHITE COLLAR CRIME AND FINANCIAL FRAUD. CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPICAL ADVANCE FEE SCHEMES, BANKRUPTCY FRAUDS, COMPUTER FRAUDS, CREDIT CARD AND CHECK FRAUDS, INSURANCE FRAUDS, AND SECURITIES AND SURETY BOND FRAUDS ARE OUTLINED, WITH EMPHASIS ON EARLY INDICATORS THAT A FRAUD IS BEING PERPETRATED. THE OVERVIEW OF THE FLORIDA ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES DESCRIBES THE COUNCIL'S PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM, A STUDY OF ORGANIZED CRIME CONDUCTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION, AND THE COORDINATION AND REVIEW OF EIGHT ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL PROJECTS. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS APPENDED.