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SHOULD CORPORATIONS BE PREVENTED FROM PAYING RANSOM?

NCJ Number
40620
Author(s)
B M JENKINS
Date Published
1974
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER REVIEWS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THREE BILLS, INTRODUCED IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE IN APRIL 1974, WHICH SOUGHT TO PROHIBIT THE PAYMENT OF RANSOM BY A CORPORATION OR CHARITABLE TRUST.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE BILLS WOULD FAIL THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE OF DISCOURAGING CORPORATE KIDNAPPING FOR FIVE REASONS: 1) THEIR PASSAGE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY DETER FUTURE KIDNAPPINGS; 2) THE BILLS COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO THE APPREHENSION, CONVICTION, AND PUNISHMENT OF KIDNAPPERS; 3) THE LAW COULD BE EASILY CIRCUMVENTED BY FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES; 4) STRICT ENFORCEMENT COULD DAMAGE THE IMAGE OF AMERICAN CORPORATIONS; AND 5) THE RISK WOULD BE SHIFTED FROM CORPORATIONS TO INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES. THE BILLS, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE APPENDIX, WERE DEFEATED IN AUGUST 1974....MSP