The Congressional Research Service works exclusively for the Congress, conducting research, analyzing legislation, and providing information at the request of committees, Members, and their staffs. The Service makes such research available, without partisan bias, in many forms including studies, reports, compilations, digests, and background briefings. Upon request, CRS assists committees in analyzing legislative proposals and issues, and in assessing the possible effects of these proposals and their alternatives. The Service's senior specialists and subject analysts are also available for personal consultations in their respective fields of expertise. ABSTRACT Recent studies have emphasized the seriousness of the white collar crime problem, in terms of both economic and social costs. Increasing attention recently has been directed toward the control of white collar crime in terms of Congressional interest, attempts by government agencies to improve enforcement efforts, and research efforts by various public and private groups. This paper discusses these activities. II. A. B. C. D. III. Definitions ........ Economic and Social Costs ..... Extent of the Problem Increased Concern ..... FEDERAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT WHITE COLLAR CRIME Congressional Action in Combatting White Collar Crime ....... SENTENCING ISSUES IV. PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE 111 1 8 13 19 23 23 24 30 42 57 Theoretical Perspectives on the Causes of White Collar Crime .... APPENDICES: I. WHITE COLLAR CRIME: THE PROBLEM AND THE FEDERAL RESPONSE The category of illegal activity generally referred to as "white collar crim" is viewed by many as a major problem in America today. Increasing attention recently has been directed toward the problem of "white collar crime" in terms of congressional interest, attempts by government agencies to improve enforcement efforts, and research efforts by various private and public groups. This paper attempts to define the problem of white collar crime, examine the Federal efforts to control these crimes, and analyze the various theoretical explanations for these crimes. Since in recent years Congress has expressed an interest in many types of offenses that fall under the label of "white collar crime," this analysis focuses on the general characteristics of these types of crimes rather than on a specific set of white collar crimes, such as antitrust violations. It is difficult precisely to define "white collar crime," in part because it is a social category or concept, similar to "juvenile delinquency," rather than a legal concept. Thus, some acts that might fall within the category "white collar crime" are violations of regulatory statutes and not of criminal law per se, and although some regulatory statutes carry criminal penalties, there is no set of statutes labeled "white collar crimes." Therefore, unlike |