NCJ Number
132553
Journal
Journal of Social Security Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 3-40
Date Published
1991
Length
38 pages
Annotation
Current extra-judicial practices of major American retailers are analyzed in light of the crimes of extortion and compounding the crime.
Abstract
This analysis assesses corporate restitution programs in 1990 that protect victims' rights or subtle criminal schemes, bilk victims, swell the coffers of corporate accounts, and in the name of victims' rights, create an unknown group of extortion victims. Although one cannot argue that the manner in which American retailers use civil restitution to collect money from those who shoplift is criminal activity, clearly, a thin line exists between the practice of civil restitution and the crimes of extortion and compounding the crime. These retailers may be judged as "master blackmailers" who, for money, run the risk of coming close to criminality. 12 references (Author abstract modified)