Organized Crime, Public Corruption & Their Shared Similarities

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Unethical activities: Both organized crime and public corruption involve illicit finical activities that are usually hidden from public view. Organized crime groups engage in activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and extortion, among others. Similarly, public corruption involves the abuse of power by state and local government agencies, agents, elected officials, and employees, such as accepting bribes, influence peddling, embezzlement, conflicts of interest, nepotism, and other forms of unethical conduct. Whether an organization is fixing boxing matches, horse races or a major league baseball game for financial gain, there is no distinction from an elected or public official(s) fixing county, state and federal rules, laws, regulations and or the scales of lady justice for financial gain. Evidenced-based financial and abuse of power crimes by elected and public officials should be referred for federal prosecution equal to that of organized crime. 

 

1. Secrecy: Both organized crime and public corruption rely on secrecy to carry out their activities. They operate in the shadows, away from the public eye, and use a network of contacts and connections to evade detection and prosecution.

 

2. Coercion, violence, intimidation and retribution: Both organized crime and public corruption often use coercion tactic to achieve their objectives. Organized crime will use violence and threats to control their territories and intimidate territorial rivals, while corrupt public officials may use their power to influence or coerce by means of threats of violence, shakedowns, retaliation, intimidation of individuals, whistleblowers, organizations, there families and businesses to comply with their demands, coverups and agendas.

 

3. Financial gain: Both organized crime and public corruption are motivated by financial gain. Organized crime groups engage in illegal activities to generate profits, while corrupt public officials may use their positions of power to enrich themselves or their associates. Corrupt public officials have the advantage over organized crime, because they can influence and change community narratives with the assistance of local and national media.

 

4. Consequences: Both organized crime and public corruption have serious consequences for society. They can undermine the rule of law, erode public trust in government institutions, and perpetuate social and economic inequality. They can also contribute to the spread of violence, insecurity, and instability.

 

Overall, organized crime and public corruption as noted above share many similarities, and both pose significant threats to society and neither the shot callers, organizers, fixers or enforcers believe law and order applies to them. They also know local, state and federal prosecutors lack the tenacity and resources to prosecute them. It is crucial to address these issues through effective, trustworthy, honorable and morally sound local, state and federal law enforcement officers, agents and agencies, through proper public communications, transparency, and accountability measures that safeguard public safety and county financial soundness while promoting a more just, fair and equitable County government.