New laws aid crackdown

Article Abstract:

The promulgation of new legislation intended to fight organized crime began in Pres Lyndon Johnson's administration, when the Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 was enacted. In 1970, Pres Richard Nixon signed the Organized Crime Control Act, a law which provides the background for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or RICO. RICO set huge fines and long prison sentences for those convicted under its provisions. At the start, law enforcers were reluctant to use RICO against organized crime because of civil rights concerns. It is now considered a proven and effective weapon against organized crime.

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Going after Gotti

Article Abstract:

US government prosecutors have begun to close in on John Gotti, head of the Gambino crime family in New York. Gotti has been acquitted of three indictments dating from 1986. He is now being charged with the murder of Paul Castellano, the man he succeeded as Gambino family chief. The most damaging evidence against Gotti will be provided by his former underboss, Salvatore 'Sammy Bull' Gravano. While Gotti's conviction will be a major blow to his crime family, crime experts say that Gotti is somewhat overrated and that he has caused dissension, rather than unity, in the Mafia.

Investigations, Gotti, John

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At issue: was it wise to put the Justice Department's organized crime strike forces under the command of local U.S. attorneys' offices?

Article Abstract:

Strike forces tasked to prosecute organized crime organizations were formerly under the Department of Justice. Former Attorney General Richard L. Thornburgh changed this system by transferring control of strike forces to local US attorneys. This new procedure will prevent turf battles among agencies involved in fighting organized crime and would clarify responsibility in the campaign against crime. A major disadvantage of this procedure is that performance of US attorneys are evaluated on short-term periods while the battle against organized crime is a long-term program.

United States. Department of Justice, Powers and duties

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