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Organized Crime's Political and Corporate Alliances: Corporate Scandals of the 21st Century

This article explores the symbiotic relationship between organized crime, politics, and corporate world. It delves into infamous corporate scandals and their connections to organized crime, highlighting the collusion and corruption that persists in society.

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Organized Crime's Political and Corporate Alliances: Corporate Scandals of the 21st Century

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  1. 10 Organized Crime's Political and Corporate Alliances

  2. Corporate Scandals of the Twenty-First Century • “Occupation and corporate crime are a way of life in the US.” • Vast majorities of companies have had illegal business activities: • Enron, Halliburton, WorldCom, Adelphia Comm., Tyco, AOL Time Warner, Mirant, Qwest, Dynergy, Global Crossings, Kmart, Merck, Mirant, Reliant Energy, Xerox, Miami National Bank, Citibank, Shearson/American Express, Merrill Lynch, E.F. Hutton.

  3. Organized Crime and the Political System • Collusion • A basic characteristic of all organized crime among the criminals, the police and politicians. • Money and influence in exchange for protection from arrest & prosecution; selective enforcement against competitors; favorable policy decisions. • O.C. is viewed as an integral part of society’s political, economic and social structure.

  4. Organized Crime and the Political System • Symbolic relationship • In return for “official favors,” organized crime is able to provide public officials campaign money, private graft, etc. • Organized crime has given billions of dollars to politicians.

  5. The Mob and John F. Kennedy • Elected President in 1960 • Mob viewed JFK as owing a debt. • Robert Kennedy was Attorney General of US and declared war on organized crime. • Theorists believe mob assassinated JFK.

  6. Organized Crime and Richard Nixon • The Teamsters Endorsement • Nixon became the first Republican candidate for President to get the endorsement of a major labor union. • Central States Pension Fund • Organized crime had “borrowed” hundreds of millions of dollars from the Teamsters Fund: • Allen Glick $140 mil., Morris Shenker $135 mil., Moe Dalitz $93 mil., Alvin Malnik $20 mil. (And others.)

  7. Organized Crime Links with Ronald Regan • A pattern of high-level corruption has been revealed in Regan's administration: • Contras • US backed guerrillas in Nicaragua • Senator Paul Laxalt • Jackie Presser • Roy Williams • Raymond Donovan

  8. Organized Crime and the Business Community • Organized crime exhibits the same characteristics as do a great many legal businesses. • Profit Making: Cutting costs, reducing risks, eliminating competition, increasing market share. • Businesses welcome a certain level of organized crime: • i.e. Stolen goods for resale; secure favorable contracts with employees.

  9. Organized Crime and the Business Community • Organized crime seeks to make safe and profitable investments. • (Making money without having to work.) • Also, the need to control an illicit enterprise often outweighs the desire to expand and reinvest in additional illicit enterprises (thereby creating the need for more control).

  10. Organized Crime and the Business Community • Five vital functions for organized crime syndicates: • 1) Means to conceal other illegal activities. • 2) A means to launder profits from criminal activities. • 3) A source of legitimate and “reportable” income. (Pay taxes!)

  11. Organized Crime and the Business Community • 4) Furtherance of and the already high degree of integration between organized crime and respectable businesspeople. • 5) Stable and relatively safe investment opportunities. (Honey, I’m going to work! And, walk to the mailbox.)

  12. The Worlds of Meyer Lansky • Money Mover • One who hides illegally obtained cash and puts it to work "importing, real estate, trust funds, books, and stocks and bonds." • Move to Florida • Miami (drug money) built up the same time as Las Vegas (East Coast O.C. money.) • Cuba, Bahamas (and others). • The Banks

  13. Organized Crime, The CIA, and The Savings and Loan Scandal • Called the greatest scandal in American History. • Basic Truths of Organized Crime: • Little difference between those people whom society designates as responsible and law-abiding and those people whom society castigates as thugs.

  14. Organized Crime, The CIA, and The Savings and Loan Scandal • Basic Truths of Organized Crime • World of corporate finance and corporate capital is criminogenic. • Motives? (Corporations, CIA) • Some say distinctions in business, politics, and organized crime are irrelevant. • Banks: • First National Bank of Maryland, Palmer National Bank, Indian Springs Bank, Hill Financial Savings, Sunshine State Bank (and others).

  15. International Activities • Tax Havens • Foreign nations with fairly lenient laws on the transfer of money • The Industrialized World. • Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Argentina. (And others.)

  16. Other Financiers • Moe Dalitz • The Teamsters and the Dorfmans • Ed Levinson • Reuben Sturman • And Others

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