In recent years, the number of public corruption cases investigated by the FBI has exploded, with 2,430 pending probes of public officials. That's nearly double the 1,300 cases in 2003.
And the FBI, which is already probing possible fraud at mortgage and other financial firms, believes corruption cases could rise further as billions of dollars in stimulus money is handed down from Washington to states and cities.
"While the FBI is surging to mortgage fraud investigations, our expectation is that economic crimes will continue to skyrocket," FBI Director Robert Mueller told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
"The unprecedented level of financial resources committed by the federal government to combat the economic downturn will lead to an inevitable increase in economic crime and public corruption cases," he said.
Courts have convicted more than 1,800 federal, state and local government officials on corruption charges in the last two years alone. Included in that number: 170 federal officials, 158 on the state level, 360 local officials and more than 365 police officers.
Like one police officer in Arkansas, caught on tape stealing money during a traffic stop of a suspected dealer.
Or Louisiana judge Alan Green, convicted of taking bribes. He was caught on camera in his office, accepting cash from a man saying he was "delivering on my promise" and recommending that he "put that away somewhere."
Green's response, as heard on the tape: "I appreciate it."
Government prosecutors pushed for a tough sentence for the former judge, writing in their sentencing memorandum that in exchange for the bribe money Green received, he "harmed innocent victims by releasing dangerous criminals" at the request of a corrupt bail bonds company.
A judge sentenced Green to four years and three months in prison.
Full Article and Source:
Caught on Tape: Bribes, Public Corruption
And the FBI, which is already probing possible fraud at mortgage and other financial firms, believes corruption cases could rise further as billions of dollars in stimulus money is handed down from Washington to states and cities.
"While the FBI is surging to mortgage fraud investigations, our expectation is that economic crimes will continue to skyrocket," FBI Director Robert Mueller told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
"The unprecedented level of financial resources committed by the federal government to combat the economic downturn will lead to an inevitable increase in economic crime and public corruption cases," he said.
Courts have convicted more than 1,800 federal, state and local government officials on corruption charges in the last two years alone. Included in that number: 170 federal officials, 158 on the state level, 360 local officials and more than 365 police officers.
Like one police officer in Arkansas, caught on tape stealing money during a traffic stop of a suspected dealer.
Or Louisiana judge Alan Green, convicted of taking bribes. He was caught on camera in his office, accepting cash from a man saying he was "delivering on my promise" and recommending that he "put that away somewhere."
Green's response, as heard on the tape: "I appreciate it."
Government prosecutors pushed for a tough sentence for the former judge, writing in their sentencing memorandum that in exchange for the bribe money Green received, he "harmed innocent victims by releasing dangerous criminals" at the request of a corrupt bail bonds company.
A judge sentenced Green to four years and three months in prison.
Full Article and Source:
Caught on Tape: Bribes, Public Corruption
Many guardianship victims turn to the FBI and are turned away because the theft is court sanctioned.
ReplyDeleteTheft with court approval needs to be investigated.
ReplyDeleteThe Guardianship system was turned into a very profitable "racket" by the lawyers, guardians for profit, loop of nursing homes and some probate judges.
The wards assets and value of their property = significant amount of money.
And you can be certain this income is not declared on IRS and state tax documents.
What are the FEDS waiting for?
YES, Anonymous 2, court-approved theft should be investigated.
ReplyDeleteAnd, like you said, the deceit likely includes the IRS and state tax crimes as well.
You'd think the FBI would be all over it!
Public officals have forgotten they work for the public.
ReplyDeleteAccountability would be a great reminder.
It's a good thing that all this corruption is coming to light.
ReplyDeleteAnd that the public is demanding a clean out.
Let the sunshine in.
ReplyDeleteI hope the IRS gets serious about all of the moeny they are losing.
It is not uncommon for families to receive a notice from the IRS and state that they owe back taxes, interest and penalties because the guardians failed to file tax returns during their reign.
And in many cases, after the guardian gets done taking all of their wards money, the estate of the deceased ward is $00.00 but the family is expected to satisfy the overdue federal and state taxes using their own person funds.
How can this be?