NCJ Number
93604
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1983) Pages: 17-36
Date Published
1983
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Federal prosecutors' zeal has resulted in a massive increase in the number of indictments and prosecutions of public officials since 'Watergate.' The charges involving State and local officials have been vague and the evidence 'soft,' while charges against Federal officials have involved actus reus and 'hard' evidence.
Abstract
The data presented summarize the patterns of Federal prosecution of corrupt officials from 1978 through 1981, based on information contained in the April 1982 Report to Congress of the Public Integrity Section, U.S. Justice Department, for 1981. During the decade following 'Watergate' and in response to the public outrage over it, the Federal Government reformulated its policy regarding the prosecution of corrupt public officials and implemented an aggressive strategy of enforcement and prosecution. About 14 times as many public officials and their confederates were indicted and 16.5 times as many were convicted in 1981 as in 1970. About two-thirds of the 3,396 indicted and the 2,583 convicted public officials were State or local officials also subject to State laws. Overall, findings suggest that Federal prosecutors have gone after the public officials who are the most vulnerable (the less powerful). Tabular data and 28 references are provided.