Answered Question

shantymin...

M$1 January 15, 2009 12:39 AM

Do you think Mandatory Jail time for severe White Collar Crime should be on par w/ Violent Crime Punishment ?

It seems the years between 2000-2009 is rapidly becoming the decade of white collar fraud. Should people like Bernie Madeoff & Marcus Schrenker who've bilked people out of millions of dollars, ruined charities, ruined peoples' lives & retirement (and the like) be jailed longer than, say, drug dealers or petty criminals? Because right now, they are not being punished in proportion to the ill they cause.

From WorldCom, Enron, Tyco, to Skilling, Scooter Libby, Milken, Jack Abramoff, Ted Stevens and on and on a lot of white collar criminals seem to be getting off light. Doesn't it annoy you? Isn't something wrong? Unjust ?

CEOs, politicians, bankers are getting one track of justice, while average folks are getting different treatment (and sentences.)

Bernie Madeoff who stole billions of dollars is free on bail. Should the judge who reviewed his bail revocation hearing be investigated? So-called Dept of Justice (Civil Rights Division) attorney Bradley Schlozman actively worked against the law and hired people based on political affiliation. (When will he be indicted?)

Alberto Gonzalez (former US Attorney General) who tried to get a then hospitalized Atty Gen John Ashcroft to approve an eavesdropping order from Ashcroft's bedside.
Governor Blagojevich (IL) is caught on tape demanding (more or less) political contributions in return for doing what his job calls for-- directing & allotting public monies and public works programs.

Sure, some investigations are on going.. And yes, if these guys haven't been convicted, they might be eligible for bail pending investigation and a trial.

What's the likelihood former Sen. Ted Stevens is pardoned by President Bush before January 20, 2009?

Will 2000-2010 be known as the Decade of the White Collar Crook who got off?

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sburge

January 15, 2009 03:34 AM

The number one thing they need to do is not let the people who committed these crimes use their STOLEN money to finance it. In the latest case, Madeoff is using the stolen money to pay for his legal expenses.

A valid argument against this is that you are innocent until proven guilty.

As far as punishment, in Madeoff's case their has been at least on person who committed suicide based on his actions. I feel that he should be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

I think that in all cases, the effect of the actions should be taken into account and any charges that go with that should be placed on the person who committed the crime.

Maybee they could freeze the assets until trial...

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• The real issue is the vast differences in accountability (via the justice system) of white collar criminals versus working class, or less educated criminals.

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shantymini...

January 15, 2009 04:30 PM

I think there are some provisions (depending on the state) to freeze assets of indicted persons, pending investigation and trial. But it does make you wonder, why some of this has not been done in Madoff's case.. I mean, he obviously bought that $7mil condo with stolen money.. But can the legal system make someone homeless before theya re tried? that's not fair either. I suspect, if he's found guilty, a condition of the verdict will require liquidating all ill gotten assets and splitting the proceeds among some of his victims.. At least, that is what I am hoping.

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chazzyfen

January 15, 2009 12:50 AM

Yes. But you have to consider how they're going to judge these people to determine how long they should spend in jail. Does somebody spend more jail time for stealing money or for selling a senate seat? You can't just classify this stuff like you can murder, because this has all the rainbow in it. I believe that unless some law makers or some court decide to define how prison time should be handed out to crooks like Ted Stevens and co. courts will continue to give them only mild sentences.

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shantymini...

January 15, 2009 04:39 PM

If you ruin the lives and the health of hundreds of people by putting their health and the health of others in jeopardy, I say that is akin to murder. It may not be 1st degree murder, but it's a huge injustice. How do you know people weren't using their investments to pay for their health care, or the future health care of their family? By taking that ability away fraudulently, it's the same as loading a gun and putting it up to someone's head, in my opinion. Madeoff didn't pull the trigger, but he created the climate. Plus, he ruined many charities which helped people. What has become of those ruined people?

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