Introduction
Crimes of the Powerful are crimes committed by people in positions of power, such as government officials, corporate executives, or members of the financial elite. In many cases, these actions involve the abuse of power, the preying on vulnerable groups, or using public resources for private benefit. Fraud committed by corporations, bribery and corruption in public service, money laundering, tax evasion, and abuse of public office is some examples of illegal activities. The United States of America has been seen as a stronghold for democracy, justice, and equality. Unfortunately, despite its lofty goals, the nation is not immune to the tragic reality of influential individuals, corporations, and organizations perpetrating horrible crimes. Although the country has a long history of fighting for justice, crimes of the powerful have become a significant concern. This essay will therefore investigate the many corruption crimes committed by influential people in the United States and the repercussions that have resulted from these crimes, including their far-reaching effects on society and the economy. This essay will further demonstrate influential individuals in history who have committed these crimes and that more effective measures need to be taken to prevent them from occurring in the future by providing examples of these crimes and their consequences on society.
Scope of the Problem
Crimes of the powerful are becoming more pervasive as the world has become more linked. According to Interpol, the number of crimes committed by influential people has dramatically increased between 1990 and 2022. 6% of all criminal activity reported to Interpol in the 1990s was associated with organized crime. By the year 2022, this figure had risen to 20%. The proliferation of transnational criminal networks, which can operate across various countries and continents, is mostly to blame for this development. When there is a weak rule of law and widespread poverty in a country, it can be much easier for criminals to commit financial crimes and human rights violations without fear of repercussions (INTERPOL). This is especially true in developing countries, which have an exceptionally high incidence of crimes influential people commit. According to Interpol, crimes committed by influential individuals account for as much as 70% of all criminal activities reported in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. The United States of America is not exempt from the problem of crimes committed by those in positions of authority. Even while the incidence of crimes committed by influential people in the United States is significantly lower than in most developing countries, this is still a significant issue. According to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), 12% of all criminal activity reported in the United States involves financial crimes such as money laundering and bribery. This represents a rise from the 8% observed throughout the 1990s.
Although the powerful engage in criminal activities, they have a significant advantage when committing crimes and getting away with them. They can often circumvent the law and avoid being held responsible for their crimes by using their influence, wealth, and connections to their advantage. They accomplish this through a vast number of strategies, ranging from those that are covert to those that are overt. Bribery and corruption are two ways that influential people can escape being charged with crimes. They can win the favor of judges, prosecutors, and police officers by providing financial incentives to people who hold positions of authority (Abidun & Abioro, n.d). It may result in a lenient sentence, reduced fines, or even the dismissal of the charges against the defendant. In addition, influential people often have access to highly-priced lawyers who can work toward getting them out of legal problems. These attorneys have connections within the judicial system and can negotiate a better outcome for their clients if they use those ties. Influential people can manipulate the media by using their influence. They can disseminate false information and cast doubt on any evidence that could be used to prosecute them. (Le Nguyen, 2020). This can be accomplished through social media to promote misleading claims or through paying journalists to create biased reports. They can sway public opinion in their favor and make it appear as though they were innocent the whole time if they maintain control of the narrative, for instance, the corruption case of Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska and the case of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
The Case of Senator Ted Stevens
Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska faced seven counts of making false statements on financial disclosure forms in 2008. The charges were brought against him in 2008. He was accused of concealing the fact that a famous oil executive had provided him with services and gifts totaling over two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The allegation that he had taken the gifts and services but had failed to record them on his financial disclosure forms as required by the law became the basis of the lawsuit brought against him. The gifts consisted of several things, including vacations, dinners, and home improvements for his Alaskan residence. In October 2008, the trial of the allegations against Senator Stevens began. At his arrest, Stevens proclaimed his innocence “I am innocent. I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years. I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that.” During his almost six-week trial, the jury reached their guilty verdict on all seven counts (CNN, n.d). He will serve his term in jail for the next half year. Despite this, the conviction was overturned in 2009 after the court discovered that the prosecution had concealed information that could have helped the defense. In 2010, the case was thrown out after prosecutors were found to have withheld evidence from the defense. The judge overseeing the case, Emmet Sullivan, said, “In nearly 25 years on the bench, I have never seen anything approaching the mishandling and misconduct that I have seen in this case” (Nypost. Com, 2009). However, The Department of Justice concluded that Stevens should no longer be prosecuted and dropped the case. Department of Justice spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said, “The government’s decision to prosecute Senator Stevens was sound and was supported by the evidence. We regret that the prosecution was interrupted by the government’s failure to turn over evidence to the defense” (Nytimes.Com, 2011)
The Case of Former Governor Rod Blagojevich
Similarly, in 2011, Rod Blagojevich, who had previously served as Governor of Illinois, was found guilty of bribery, extortion, and corruption. It was alleged that he attempted to profit from the sale of the seat in the United States Senate that had been vacant since Barack Obama’s election as president in 2008 (Alschuler, 2022). In addition to this accusation, it was stated that he attempted to extort campaign contributions in exchange for official governmental acts. During conviction, Attorney General Eric Holder Said, “The citizens of Illinois deserve better than a governor who would exploit his office to line his pockets and benefit his friends.” Blagojevich proclaimed his innocence on his arrest and said, “I am here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. I intend to fight this thing every step of the way.” Blagojevich was taken into custody and faced twenty-four counts of corruption-related charges.
During the trial, the prosecution presented audio recordings of Blagojevich discussing his plans to sell the Senate seat. In one recording, Blagojevich said, “I have got this thing, and it is golden. And, uh, I am just not giving it up for nothing” (Nytimes. Com, 2020). He was found guilty on 18 charges following a drawn-out legal process. Following the conviction, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said, “This is a sad day for the government, a sad day for the people of Illinois, and a sad day for those who believed in Rod Blagojevich.” Blagojevich was given a prison sentence of 14 years, although he was freed early in the year 2020 after having served only eight years. Although he was found guilty on 18 counts, Blagojevich could make it through the trial unscathed and was not found guilty on the other counts. This was owing, in large part, to the fact that the jury was unable to decide on the remaining counts that were agreed upon by all of its members (Nytimes. Com, 2020). Because of this, the court declared a mistrial on those counts, and as a result, the accusations against the defendant were dismissed. In addition, Blagojevich’s legal team successfully demonstrated that the allegations against their client were extensive and did not satisfy the legal definition of bribery. In a statement released by Blagojevich’s legal team after the conviction, they said: “Today’s verdict is a devastating personal blow to Governor Blagojevich, but it does not change the fact that the government did not prove its accusations beyond a reasonable doubt. Blagojevich’s attorneys will continue to fight for his innocence in the appellate court.” This led to the dismissal of those counts. This assisted in convincing the jury that Blagojevich was not guilty of the remaining counts he was charged with.
The problem of influential people committing crimes is even more complicated because these kinds of actions frequently have a disproportionately negative impact on marginalized populations, which are less likely to have the resources necessary to fight these kinds of crimes. Large firms, for instance, frequently engage in unethical labor practices, such as underpaying workers and polluting neighborhoods, which can result in significant difficulties for individuals who are impacted regarding their health and safety. In addition, public officials may use their positions to gain a financial or political advantage or even to cover up instances of corruption (Loeffler & Bovvaird, 2020). Because of the breadth and depth of these problems, it is abundantly evident that actions need to be taken to combat crimes committed by influential people. This may entail tightening regulations and legislation to promote accountability, boosting public awareness, and pressing for greater openness from powerful actors. Increasing public awareness of the issue may also be a part of this. In addition, resources need to be allocated to prosecute people who participate in these activities, and civil society organizations need to be given the authority to take action when required. Individuals can only ensure that all individuals, regardless of their position of power, are held accountable for their conduct if we address these challenges.
Combating Crimes of the Powerful
Individuals can band together to counteract crimes committed by influential individuals by taking several preventative measures in a coordinated effort. For instance, people can educate themselves on the problem and take the time to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations pertaining to Crimes Committed by the Powerful. This can assist persons in recognizing when crimes of this nature are occurring and determine how to respond to them. In addition, they can collaborate against corruption by participating in public demonstrations and protests together to combat the problem (Loeffler & Bovvaird, 2020). This is one method that the problem can be brought to people’s attention, and it can also be used to put pressure on governments and other strong organizations to take action. Also, individuals can collaborate in order to support organizations that are actively fighting against corruption. Some examples of such groups include Transparency International and Global Witness. In addition, individuals can make their voices heard by sharing their perspectives on various social media platforms. Anyone can help spread the word about the necessity of taking action against Crimes of the Powerful by discussing the subject and bringing it to a broader audience’s attention (Maryville, 2020).
Various organizations are working together to handle the crimes committed by the Powerful such as corruption. For instance, the United Nations Organization on Drugs and Crime UNODC is creating international norms crucial in fighting crimes committed by the powerful (Ruiz-Paz, 2022). Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Convention against Corruption, and Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking of Firearms, Their Parts and Components, and Ammunition are just a few examples of the legally binding international conventions and protocols developed by UNODC that address crimes committed by those in positions of power. These worldwide norms were established to ensure that all nations have the appropriate legal and institutional structures to deal with crimes committed by those in positions of authority (Zabyelia, 2019). In addition, UNODC provides technical assistance and capacity-building programs to help countries strengthen their criminal justice systems and better combat crimes of the powerful. (Allens, Chama & Fancy, 2020) This assistance includes providing training and technical advice to law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice professionals and developing national and regional anti-corruption strategies. UNODC also assists countries in developing systems for collecting and analyzing evidence of crimes of the powerful, as well as measures for preventing and combating money laundering.
Interpol, on the other hand, has implemented the Corruption Reporting Portal. The Corruption Reporting Portal was developed and deployed by Interpol (Zagaris, 2022). Through the use of this portal, individuals can anonymously report any instances of suspected corruption that they may have come across. After then, the anti-corruption specialists at Interpol look over the reports, and then they send them on to the appropriate law enforcement authorities so that they can investigate. In addition, Interpol collaborates closely with national governments to draft anti-corruption legislation and legal frameworks. This ensures that corruption is viewed as a serious crime with serious repercussions (Zagaris, 2022). In addition, Interpol educates law enforcement professionals on investigating and punishing bribery and corruption in their respective jurisdictions. This is significant because it contributes to the guarantee that individuals who commit these crimes will be held accountable for the consequences of their acts. Interpol has forged alliances with international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank and regional groups like the African and European Union. These organizations work together to combat transnational crime. Interpol can therefore share information and resources about the fight against corruption. Therefore, it is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to addressing crimes committed by influential individuals, such as corruption (Dávid-Barrett & Tomic, 2022). Interpol is working to ensure that corruption is treated as a serious crime through its Corruption Reporting Portal, its collaboration with national governments to develop anti-corruption legislation, its training of law enforcement officers, and its partnerships with international organizations.
Conclusion
Crimes of the powerful such as corruption, are a serious issue in the United States and the world. The sheer magnitude of these crimes and their impact on innocent people is staggering. Unfortunately, the perpetrators of these crimes are often well-placed and well-connected individuals who can evade prosecution or punishment. It is, therefore, important for citizens to remain vigilant and demand that those in power are held accountable for their actions. When the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice, individuals will begin to make a real difference in combating corruption on a global scale.
References
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