...Types of White Collar Crime Angela L. Langley LEG 200 – White Collar Crime in Government, Business, and Labor Professor Thomas Demko Strayer University May 28, 2012 Assignment 1: Types of White Collar Crime A white collar crime is illegal and unethical, which violates the public trust. It deals with lying, cheating, and stealing by high profile individuals. A single con can destroy a business, hurt families by cleaning out their life savings, or cost investors billions of dollars. “Devastating losses in relation to homes, businesses, jobs, retirement funds, and college savings were widespread. “It was clear that fraudulent misrepresentations on many levels were at the center of this crisis” (Friedrichs, 2010, p. 1). We will compare and contrast the nature of white collar crime with other types of illegal acts, compare and contrast the typical participants of white collar crime against the participants of other types of illegal acts, discuss the role of technology in white collar crime and how its role may create differences from other forms of crime, and analyze the role of opportunity and how it contributes to white collar crime. Compare and contrast the nature of white collar crime with other types of illegal acts. The key elements of white collar crimes are trust and its violation. “White collar crimes take on the form of misrepresentation, stealing, misappropriation, self-dealing, corruption, and role conflict” (Friedrichs, 2010, p. 10). White-collar...
Words: 1251 - Pages: 6
...White collar crime The phrase white collar crime was first used by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 during a speech to the American Sociological Society. He defined white collar crime as a "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation."(Sutherland, “White-Collar Criminality."). Today, white collar crime refers to illegal offenses that are generally committed in the business or professional setting (white collar versus blue collar jobs) to achieve financial gain. Crimes that do not involve physical violence, and that relate largely to financial matters, are often called white collar crimes. Corporate corruption is out of control for two main reasons. First, big companies are now multinational, while governments remain national. Big companies are so financially powerful that governments are afraid to take them on. It is very important to study the cause and the possible solution for the increase in numbers of white collar crime; our focus needs to shift from Blue Collar Crimes to White Collar Crimes. U.S.A spends nearly $50 billion on fighting Blue Collar Crimes, not even quarter of that amount is spent on fighting White Collar Crimes. Hardly a day passes without a new story of malfeasance. Every Wall Street firm has paid significant fines during the past decade for phony accounting, insider trading, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, or outright embezzlement by CEOs. A massive insider-trading ring is currently on trial in New York...
Words: 2916 - Pages: 12
...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...
Words: 6980 - Pages: 28
...White Collar Crime Cost Society more than Street Crime Debbre Paige Sociology I Professor: Ngo Lee Strayer University June 13, 2014 Abstract White Collar Crime cost society more than street crime because it affects everyone from the C.E.O. of the company to the common consumer. White Collar Crime usually consist of non-violent behavior; involving activities such as; deception, corruption, embezzlement, breach of trust, and health care fraud, just to name a few, and is committed by using a computer and paperwork. Street Crime on the other hand consists mostly of violent behavior, and almost always involves the use of a weapon. White Collar Crime cost Society More White Collar Crime was first defined in 1939, by Edwin Southerland, a Sociologist of criminology. It affects 1 in every 4 households from lost pension funds to cost of consumer goods rising because of the crime committed, according to “The National White Collar Crime Center”, White Collar criminals are characterized as being well educated, white males, who hold a high level executive position in private companies or the Federal Government. Street criminals are usually from lower social-economic status and some live in poverty. White Collar Crime White Collar Crime is a very widespread, increasing problem, yet it is mostly overlooked because it appears to be harmless, compared to Street Crime, and many fail to recognize its cost on society. White Collar Crime costs America...
Words: 1043 - Pages: 5
...White Collar Crimes has played a big part in our society in the past years. There are many companies that has suffered at the hands of white collar crimes. There are many difference types of white collar crimes. Corporate Crime is crimes committed by corporation or individuals on behalf of a business entity. In this weeks assignment we are asked to give the definition of white collar crime and tell the laws that regulate white collar crime, and the impact that it has on society. First, I will define white collar crime. Conklin, J. E. (2010). Criminology (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall states that White Collar Crimes is an 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 status. In 1939 socologist Edwin Sutherland introduce white collar crime in a speech before the American Socologist Society. Also white collar crime is a term used to describe various crimes that do not involves force or violence committed by or against businesses. Liuzzo, Anthony L. & Bonnice, Joseph G. (2010) Essential of Business Law (6th ed.) states that the most common white collar crimes are theft of an employer's funds by the employees with access to such funds(embezzlement). Also, white collar crimes covers a wide range of crimes including stock swindles, frauds against insurance companies, credit card fraud, inocme tax evasion...
Words: 977 - Pages: 4
...White Collar Crime – presented by Mr. Neil Weinberg Mr. Neil Weinberg, Executive Editor of Forbes Magazine, wrote “Stolen Without A Gun” with co-author Walter Pavlo, using the compelling personal story of Mr. Pavlo to portray in intimate detail the pressures that white-collar professionals face every day in corporate world. Mr. Weinberg’s discussion at Rotman was extremely relevant to MBA students because of the main narrator’s background: Pavlo was a young MBA who had a promising career at MCI until he took the wrong step on a mud slide of accounting scams that ultimately cost him not only his career but also his freedom, family, reputation and self-respect. According to Weinberg’s research, white-collar criminals are not just ordinary people; they are smart, well-educated and ambitious. They often start as wide-eye fresh graduates at large corporations of which profit-driven culture infiltrates all levels within. Some of them were even chosen as CFOs of the year: Andrew Fastow (Enron) and Scott D. Sullivan (Worldcom). So why do they turn out to be the thieves stealing from the economy $2.5 trillion per year? Weinberg argues that these people, like Pavlo, do not just wake up one day and decide to commit in a greed-inspired fraud. In fact, only 7% of perpetrators have prior conviction. They operate business under the performance pressure from investors, stockholders and Wall Street professionals. They execute mega mergers which present opportunities for companies to hide flaws...
Words: 785 - Pages: 4
...Module 2, Writing Assignment 2 Essay Questions 1. Why is it helpful to have a topology of corporate crime, what are the main criteria used, and which criteria do you think are the most significant? A topology of corporate crime can be extremely helpful in recording data for evaluation. The separate concepts and dimensions of each topology can narrow an inquiry to a very particular subset of activities, victims and practices. A database search on more information of topologies within this subset of White Collar Crime yielded very few results. The author examines this from two broad categories. accounting for several factors within criminology or social science to allow a better study of the topic, in a more narrow scope. From these typologies, we can also draw numerous scientific values. The author uses the type of activity to study an area. The other typologies include, victims, such as the general public, consumers and employees. Another typology is the size of entity, such as the crime of a major domestic corporation. Thirdly, the product or service involved is another topology. Finally, the nature of the harmful activity. I believe the victim and type of activity are the most significant, because you will most likely have the most data to draw from. Victims will almost definitely report their loss if they suspect foul play; all the while the type of activity will be reported or derived from the victims report. These areas, in my mind, hold for quantitative data...
Words: 836 - Pages: 4
...Types of White Collar Crime Leg200001VA016-1122-001 White collar crimes are crimes that are committed by a person or persons of middle or higher status within their occupation. These types of crimes are considered nonviolent. Generally, the trusted and valued employee commits this type of crime within a company. White collar crimes include insider-trading, conspiracy, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, money laundering, and a few others. These crimes are ones that people of a higher class perform because their occupations put them in a position in which they are able to execute these types of crimes. You would not find a poor black man committing crimes of this nature. He would not generally have the means to perform crimes of this type. It would be rare for you to find a person of higher class to commit street crimes such as assault, robbery, rape or other illegal acts. Younger people generally perform street crimes while middle aged or older people commit white collar crimes. Age does not happen to be the only way in which these crimes differ when generalizing who is committing these crimes. You can also say they are gender committed. This means that on a whole more men execute these types of crimes than women do. When you look at the opportunity in which one person is able to commit a white collar crime, we say they can use their employment to gain access to commit those types of crimes. An accountant has the ability to change the books or alter them if they are taking...
Words: 1420 - Pages: 6
...White Collar crime VS. Blue collar crime A big problem in today society is white collar crime and blue collar crime. The big question we ask in society is which one is a bigger problem. In my paper I will go into detail with each one and distinguish them between Micro sociology and Macro sociology. The big question being asked is what is white collar crime identified as and blue collar crime? White collar crime is defined as “illegal or unethical acts that violate fiduciary responsibility of public trust committed by an individual or organization, usually during the course of legitimate occupational activity, by persons of high or respectable social status for personal or organizational gain” (Helmkamp, Ball, & Townsend,1996, p. 351). (Cullen, Clark, Mather’s, & Cullen, 1983; Grabosky et al., 1987; Hauber, Toonvliet, & Willemse, 1988; Holland, 1995) felt back then that white collar crimes get neglected. There are only 24 out of 140 crimes that are categorized to be white collar crimes. Some examples that are white collar crimes are (i.e., price fixing, defrauding customers, and income tax fraud). Benson and Cullen (1998) examined the perceptions of white-collar crime seriousness from local prosecutors. The prosecutors did not typically perceive such crimes as serious; it was stated that, less than 4% of urban prosecutors considered corporate crime a “very serious” problem and about 50% did not regard it as serious at all. When crimes like this are committed I feel that the...
Words: 342 - Pages: 2
...Good question are white collar offenses committed by government agencies and corporation different or/ and similar from organized crimes? White Collar Crimes was founded by Edwin Sutherland in 1939, from crimes that were committed by higher, respected people in their occupation. Therefore, this is something that has been going on for decades. Since then the definition has changes somewhat and even to wanting to change the name of it. Most crime of hat of white collar that is committed is fraud, bribery, counterfeiting, forgery and embezzlement 2008 (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). White collar crimes and organized crimes are definitely similar because no matter how it is looked at, it is still a crime. Mainly, these crimes committed by white...
Words: 363 - Pages: 2
...Types of White Collar Crime White collar crimes are crimes that are committed by a person or persons of middle or higher status within their occupation. These types of crimes are considered nonviolent. Generally, the trusted and valued employee commits this type of crime within a company. White collar crimes include insider-trading, conspiracy, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, money laundering, and a few others. These crimes are ones that people of a higher class perform because their occupations put them in a position in which they are able to execute these types of crimes. You would not find a poor black man committing crimes of this nature. He would not generally have the means to perform crimes of this type. It would be rare for you to find a person of higher class to commit street crimes such as assault, robbery, rape or other illegal acts. Younger people generally perform street crimes while middle aged or older people commit white collar crimes. Age does not happen to be the only way in which these crimes differ when generalizing who is committing these crimes. You can also say they are gender committed. This means that on a whole more men execute these types of crimes than women do. When you look at the opportunity in which one person is able to commit a white collar crime, we say they can use their employment to gain access to commit those types of crimes. An accountant has the ability to change the books or alter them if they are taking money from the company...
Words: 1417 - Pages: 6
...McAllister Professor Ahmad Wright Aug 3,2011 ENG215 Proposal BLUE COLLAR CRIME VS WHITE COLLAR There are many different sophisticated crimes that are classified as white collar crimes according to legal precedent. They include, but are not limited to: embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, credit card fraud, hacking, forgery, and similar crimes. The punishments for the white collar crimes are drastically different as well, often incurring probation or community service in conjunction with high monetary fines instead of focusing solely on incarceration, as is the case with many blue collar crimes. However, with the Bernie Madoff scandal as well as the other recent wall street crimes, more and more white collar criminals are facing stiff criminal penalties that include long periods of incarceration in federal prisons. This is due in large part to the severe societal and economic impact of these crimes as well and the attention brought to these crimes by the media. Have you ever heard the phrase "white collar crime"? No, not just the popular television show airing on the USA network, but the real criminal offense category termed thusly due to the class of people who normally commit the crime. There is a big difference between blue collar and white collar crimes in the United States, from the crime classifications to the punishments thereof. Generally...
Words: 569 - Pages: 3
...Assignment 2--- White Collar Crime Theories, Law, and Processes Lucas McPherson Professor Dr. Matthew Miko LEG 200 – White Collar Crime in Government, Business, and Labor December 21, 2011. 1. Explain white collar crime in terms of various theories related to criminology and crime. There are several basic theories in which white collar crime can be explained relating to criminology and crime. We must look at several concepts and behaviors and take certain metaphysical, ontological, and epistemological assumption about the ultimate nature of reality and being into consideration. Example, is reality subjective or objective? Is causation simply a human construct, or is it something that can be definitively and objectively established? The latter were two questions to approach some explanation of the theories of white collar crime and the criminological concept of the offenders in this sector. There are the sociological, biogenetic, psychological, and sociogenic explanation to white collar criminology and crime. The most basic theory of criminality states that criminals are different in some fundamental way from non-criminals. Then the nature of the difference must be identified. On a Sociological level the propensity to commit crimes, is shown to vary among various segments of the population or among different organization. The biogenetic explanation of criminality became especially influential in the nineteenth century. This states that criminals...
Words: 1628 - Pages: 7
...Cheating, 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...
Words: 1060 - Pages: 5
...9/29/2016 White Collar Crime Edwin Sutherland was a very well known person in the the 1930’s, he is known for having many different theories about criminology. However, one of his most well known events in his life was when he coined the term “white collar crime” in 1939. He defined white collar crime as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation". Sutherland published four books while he was at Indiana University and one being the censored first edition of White Collar Crime in 1949. This book is known as his masterpiece, and his thoughts about white collar crime spread very fast and became a national topic that was talked about. Sutterfield influenced many people and got many more people thinking and investigating for white collar crimes....
Words: 609 - Pages: 3
