...Volkswagen Case The exact definition of white collar crime has been heavily debated throughout the last decades starting with Sutherland in 1939 who theorized that it as a crime committed by a person of respectability and high status in the course of his occupation and has continued until recently where it has been theorized that offenders may be individuals and/or formal organizations, and they may act out of self-interest, in the pursuit of organizational goals, or both (Simpson 2013:313). White collar crimes have a greater salience on our lives than it is widely recognized – it can have severe negative effects on our environment, personal health, and even financial lives (Cohen 2015:5). Often times white collar crimes are swept under the...
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...Understanding white collar crime Hazel Croall Open University Press Buckingham · Philadelphia Open University Press Celtic Court 22 Ballmoor Buckingham MK18 1XW email: enquiries@openup.co.uk world wide web: www.openup.co.uk and 325 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA First Published 2001 Copyright © Hazel Croall, 2001 All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence from the Copyright Licensing Agency Limited. Details of such licences (for reprographic reproduction) may be obtained from the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd of 90 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1P 0LP. A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library ISBN 0 335 20427 9 (pb) 0 335 20428 7 (hb) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Croall, Hazel, 1947– Understanding white collar crime / Hazel Croall. p. cm. — (Crime and justice) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–335–20428–7 — ISBN 0–335–20427–9 (pbk.) 1. White collar crimes. I. Title. II. Crime and justice (Buckingham, England) HV6768 .C755 2001 364.16´8 — dc21 00–050174 Typeset by Type Study, Scarborough Printed in Great Britain by Biddles Limited, Guildford and Kings Lynn chapter ...
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...Analyzing White-Collar Crime Dawn Kellerman Capella University SOC3400 – Social Deviance 1. In examining the recent data on white-collar crime, what key trends or patterns do you notice? Describe three trends or patterns and share your thoughts on the sociological factors that may be contributing to them. There were three noticeable trends in analyzing the data found in this unit’s studies. Between the years of 2002 and 2009, there was a steady increase of investigations into and pending fraud cases. Secondly, despite the rise in white-collar crime cases and investigations, there is a significant decline in actual prosecutions and convictions for these crimes. For example, in 2002 there were 291 corporate fraud cases pending which rose to 592 by 2009, this equates to an increase of more than 103% in the seven represented years. In spite of the rise of cases pending, between 2005 and 2009 there was a decline of more than 50% of convictions and 70% of indictments for corporate criminals. Lastly, even with the decline of convictions, the monies recovered increases for the same years rose; from 2005 through 2009, the FBI secured a total of $336.9 million dollars in fines. Edwin Sutherland and his theory of differential association can explain the sociological factors contributing to these trends. Differential association theory is principally a learning theory, which states that deviance is a learned phenomenon that is brought about through interaction and communication with...
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...S E C T I O N II Understanding White-Collar Crime Definitions, Extent, and Consequences S ecti on Hi g h l i g h ts •• •• •• •• •• •• White-Collar Crime: An Evolving Concept Modern Conceptualizations of White-Collar Crime Extent of White-Collar Crime Consequences of White-Collar Crime Public Attitudes About White-Collar Crime Characteristics of White-Collar Offenders A 34 s noted in the introduction, Edwin Sutherland created the concept of white-collar crime more than 70 years ago to draw attention to the fact that crimes are committed by individuals in all social classes. As will be seen in this section, one of the largest difficulties in understanding white-collar crime has centered on an ongoing debate about how to define white-collar crime. After discussing various ways that white-collar crime can be defined, attention will be given to the extent of white-collar crime, the consequences of this illicit behavior, public attitudes about white-collar crime, and patterns describing the characteristics of white-collar offenders. Section II Understanding White-Collar Crime 35 As a backdrop to this discussion, consider the following recent white-collar crimes described in the media: •• A jury convicted [then-Baltimore mayor Sheila] Dixon . . . of embezzling about $500 worth of gift cards donated to the city for needy families. Dixon then pleaded guilty last month to lying about thousands of dollars in gifts from her former boyfriend, a prominent developer...
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...Running head: WHITE COLLAR CRIMES White Collar Crimes: How Does It Affect Businesses? Shari M. Lewis Strayer University (Online) Table of Contents ABSTRACT 3 INTRODUCTION 4 Introduction to the Problem 4 Background of the Study 4 Statement of the Problem 4 Purpose of the Research 5 Research Questions 5 Significance of the Research 5 LITERATURE REVIEW 7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 19 ABSTRACT This paper investigates White Collar Crime (“WCC) in society and the affects it has on businesses in today’s society, the cost and statistics involved with white collar crime and the difference in how white collar crime and street crimes are dealt with. While white collar crime has existed for many decades, I have conducted research regarding the definition of white collar crime, the history of white collar crime, the different types of white collar crime that affect businesses directly and indirectly, goals of white collar crime, fraud statistics and the cost factors related to white collar crime. White collar crimes and business ethics play hand in hand with one another and often cross the line with one another into criminal behavior. White collar crimes have played a very instrumental part in our downward economy over the past five years, and the level of trust given by society to corporations and employers entrusted with their life earnings has changed dramatically. My research will include factors that contribute...
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...Social class and crime Most studies in sociology suggest that the most serious and frequent offenders are young working class males. However, there may be a bias in the statistics that results in the idea that ‘white collar crime’ is underestimated... * WHITE COLLAR CRIME - middle class members of the business world - invisible and complex. * BLUE COLLAR CRIME - working class members in society - often visible and more likely to be punished. Sutherland (1949) first used the term ‘white collar crime’. He challenged the assumption that crime is mostly a working class phenomenon. However, his own definition is not helpful. The problem with it is that he does not distinguish crimes committed for an organisation. Writers have therefore distinguished between crimes: * CORPORATE CRIME - carried out on behalf of the organisation (e.g. tax evasion). * OCCUPATIONAL CRIME - benefits the individual at the expense of the organisation (e.g. embezzling money). White collar crimes are more technical, complex and discrete and often receive more lenient punishments than blue collar crimes. For white collar crimes, there is a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. It is often about what is morally wrong rather than legally wrong. Occupational/Corporate crime: The study of these crimes developed from the work of Sutherland in the 1940s. He used the term white collar crime to refer to crime committed by people who worked in offices. His work overlaps with the interests...
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...White Collar Crime and Accounting Standards in the Nigerian Public Sector Nenyiaba, Ile Charles Faculty of Management Sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria E-mail: nenyiabaic@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This survey examined the spate of white collar crime in the Nigerian public sector and the extent to which existing accounting standards are helping to stem the occurrence of the crime. Two null hypotheses were formulated and the primary data used to test the hypotheses were obtained using structured questionnaire while secondary data were obtained from annual accounts of State Governments and reports from similar studies. The study used averages, percentages, chisquare and Spearman’s ranked correlation coefficient tested at 5% level of significance for analyses of the data obtained during the study. It also made use of averages and simple percentage. The study revealed that noncompliance with accounting standards is responsible for the increasing spate of white collar crime in the Nigerian public sector and that absence of forensic accounting courses in the training programme of practicing accountants are responsible for inability of auditors to detect, early enough, white collar crime in the public sector thereby aggravating the scam. The study also revealed that flexibility of principle based on standard is a serious threat to enforcement of compliance with the standards especially in a developing economy such as Nigeria. Hence, forensic accounting courses...
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...White Collar Crime in Medical Industry Name Institution White Collar Crime in Medical Industry Introduction Background of Research Various crimes take place in different private and public organisations and institutions every day. This research paper will analyse the different white-collar crimes witnessed in the medical industry worldwide. Practitioners involved numerous health practitioners in the dishonest ways of filling irregular and dishonest information about patients for financial gain. The fraud is generated in many ways depending on the level of need and greed at any particular moment. It should therefore be noted that the amount of fraud committed through white-collar crime in health care has risen enormously (Benson, Madensen & Eck, 2009). Billions of dollars are lost through the various unscrupulous health practitioners and their relevant counterparts. The billions of money fall in the hands of a few people and deprive numerous patients the attention and medication required in the process. The public should therefore be alert and report any suspected cases of criminal injustices in the medical industry (Rosoff, Pontell & Tillman, 2012). Problem Statement It is evident that there are various loopholes in the medical industry where financial fraud occurs and fails to be accounted for in the health organisations. The state is aware of the various modes of White Collar crimes taking place in the medical industry. Similarly, the state with the...
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...Stealing: White-Collar Crime “Lying, Cheating, Stealing. That’s white-collar crime in a nutshell.” That is how the Federal Bureau of Investigation describes crime committed by corporations (FBI—White-Collar Crime). These crimes include fraud, identity theft, internet swindles, money laundering, price-fixing, embezzlement, political corruption, police brutality, and much more. Conklin (2010) defines white-collar crime as “any illegal act, punishable by a criminal sanction, that is committed in the course of a legitimate occupation or pursuit by a corporation or by an otherwise respectable individual of high social standing.” Who are white-collar criminals? Who are blue-collar criminals? What are the differences between white-collar crime and blue-collar crime? Is there disparate treatment in sentencing between white-collar and blue-collar criminals? If yes, should there be? For example, if someone breaks into my home, it is a blue-collar crime and I lose some property. If a banking or real estate corporation defrauds me, it is a white-collar crime, and I lose my home, savings, and/or pension. Who is the worse criminal, and what are we doing about it? I will research these questions and examine how these two types of criminals are treated within our society. In 1939, Edwin Sutherland coined the term white-collar crime in his presidential address to the American Sociological Society. In 1949, he authored a book, White- Collar Crime, that revealed a study of white-collar...
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...White Collar Crime Theories, Laws, and Processes Christie Perez Professor Joyce Weddle LEG 200 August 19, 2011 WHITE COLLAR CRIME THEORIES RELATED TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIME Theories have been used by humanity as a way of making sense or understand the concepts for all of the activities in a world we seem to be aware of, but that we do not seem to comprehend. In the evaluating case of our behavior we can review our minds, body and emotions as the simplistic force behind our actions; however at the same time the hidden complexity involved in those actions does not allow us to pinpoint the reasoning behind some of our behaviors in certain situations. In the case for individuals involved in white collar crimes, their behavior has been difficult to identify and understand. The mentality or concept of society in regards to a person violating the law usually is categorized differently. A person involved in a conventional crime typically is stereo-typed with a certain minority race, low society status and certain lifestyle usually associated with the crime. Also conventional crimes create a different type of fear in society in comparison to white collar crimes. It is the severity and direct impact of conventional crimes in a community which allow these crimes to be easily recognized and quickly punishable under the law. On the other hand, white collar crimes deals with opposite factors and has been associated with many theories in an attempt to establish awareness...
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...Compare and contrast the nature of white collar crime with other type types of illegal acts. 2. Compare and contrast the typical participants of white collar crime against the participants of other types of illegal acts 3. Discuss the role of technology in white collar crime and how its role may create differences from other forms of crime. 4. Analyze the role of “opportunity” and how it contributes to white collar crime. Provide specific examples to support your response. When Edwin Sutherland first began his study/analysis under the Traditional Summary Reporting System, there was a limited amount of information available on White Color Crime. The white-collar offenses that are measured are fraud, forgery/counterfeiting, embezzlement, and all other offenses. Because white-collar crimes are not Index crimes, the only information available on these offenses is arrest information, which includes age, sex, and race of the arrestee. Additionally, all other offenses arrest category is very limited in its ability to measure the white-collar offenses included in its counts. This is due to the inability to differentiate the white-collar offenses from the others that also fall in this category. Based upon the most recently published data from the FBI, the arrest rates for the offenses of embezzlement, fraud, and forgery/counterfeiting are much lower than the arrest rates for property, crime, or for total crimes in general. In order to assess the utility...
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...Theories of Crime Causation November 11th, 2010 Abstract The following will examine the differences between criminalists, criminologists and forensic psychologists. It will then transition into how what exactly is a white collar crime and a blue collar crime. Lastly the paper will discuss the differences between index-one and index-two crimes as defined by the UCR. Media Portrayal of Crime Introduction With the prevalence of crime being portrayed in the media world, it can be difficult for the modern American to decipher all the aspects of crime. Criminology, the study of crime and its causes, is a excellent way to find out just what makes a criminals mind tick. Although it may be hard to know just what makes a person commit a crime, having a better understanding of the base of criminal justice aspects may be of assistance. Criminologists, Criminalists, and Forensic Psychologists With a plethora of jobs out there relating to the field of criminal justice, it may become overwhelming to try and decide who does what and how they do it. To have a better understanding of such fields one must know exactly what each field does separately from the other. A criminologist uses sociological theories and methods to study criminal behavior and how societies respond to crime (Hall, 2010). This means the criminologist seeks to find out the mentality behind a crime and how that thinking affects the society as a whole. By creating theories as to why of how this crime was committed...
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...role, but many believe that we should be more attentive to the role that class plays in targeting and the sentencing process in the criminal justice system. In order to understand the role that class plays in the sentencing process, we must, first, look at the role that it plays before the criminal reaches the day of sentencing. There are a plethora of publications that speak on profiling and actuarial methods which get people into the system. Though these are two large proponents of the discriminatory acts that exist within the confines of the criminal justice system, it does not begin with these institutionalized methods. The first instances of discrimination, which leads to all of the other forms within the system, are the laws and crime control policies that are implemented that, in some instances, are set up in favor of the rich and in opposition to the poor. In Marxist criminology, one of the fundamental principles is that the “ruling class” puts all of the other classes at a disadvantage. This is done...
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...but I believe that there needs to be more attention paid to the role that class plays in targeting and the sentencing process in the criminal justice system. In order to understand the role that class plays in the sentencing process, we must, first, look at the role that it plays before the criminal reaches the day of sentencing. There are a plethora of publications that speak on profiling and actuarial methods which get people into the system. Though these are two large proponents of the discriminatory acts that exist within the confines of the criminal justice system, it does not begin with these institutionalized methods. The first instance of discrimination, which leads to all of the other forms within the system, are the laws and crime control policies that are implemented that, in some instances, are set up...
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...discuss blue collar crimes vs. white collar crimes, the way in which the FBI reports and measures these crimes in their Uniformed Crime Reporting (UCR) system. The author further elucidates blue collar crimes and how their culture is more populated by the media. This paper also includes the variations of Index I and Index II crimes and the manner in which they are reported either as violent or property crimes under the UCR system, as well as, the sentence that accompany such crimes. The author concludes this paper with a basic understanding of these three fields and the importance of their role within our criminal justice system that together create a unified force to battle crime. Introduction To get a better understanding of how our criminal justice system operates, society needs to know the involvement and the many specialists that are needed to keep our communities safe as well as, get the criminals off the streets to prevent them from committing future crime. One should look at it like baking a cake and each ingredient is an important part of the recipe. 1st ingredient is the investigation, 2nd ingredient is solving the crime, 3rd ingredient is corrections for these offenses. Finally 4th ingredient is the icing on the cake, preventing criminal behavior and preventing crimes associated to this behavior from being committed. * Explain the differences between criminologists, criminalists, and forensic psychologists and their respective areas of study. ...
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