In Canada, the criminal code provides a definition of organized crime. Please provide that definition
Crime committted by any group of at least 3 people that has as one of its main purposes or activities the facilitation or commission of one or more serious offences where the primary motive is profit
Definitions are problematic. Please list and describe five problems with definitions.
1) Specific vs. broad definitions
2) legal vs. sociological/criminological definitions
3) OC is malleable, adaptable, and transnational
4) hidden agendas
5) semantics
In NA there are 5 main OC groups. List them
1) Italian mafia
2) Eastern european OC
3) Asian OC
4) Outlaw motorcycle gang
5) Aboriginal OC
6) Mexican drug cartels
Mafia experts suggest 3 reasons why the viewing public is fascinated with gangsters. List and describe
1) The American Dream
2) Escapist entertainment
3) Violent imagery sells
Why is it so difficult to study/research organized crime?
Criminal organizations are secret, whose truth?
Please define, briefly describe and contrast Parasitic vs. reciprocal relationships in terms of the "business" of organized crime
Parasitic -- members of a criminal organization extort money from illegal entrepreneurs or legitimate entrepreneurs under a threat of violence
Reciprocal -- Members of Criminal organizations require illegal entrepreneurs to pay a fixed or percentage amoun
What does "Shadow Government" mean in terms of organized crime? Provide examples
OC operates by providing policing and judicial services. Examples of this are arbitration, collection services, or "sit-downs
What is a fence?
Fence is a person who will get rid of the merchandise for you, has the ability to raise large amounts of cash in short time
What was the pizza connection?
The Sicilian mob replaced the French Connection as the major supplier of heroin, they used pizza parlours as fronts in the distribution of heroin and cocaine
Please define and briefly describe protection and extortion
Protection -- Money paid on a regular basis to an organized crime group to protect the individual or business from other criminals
Extortion -- Demanding money from an individual or business, which, if not paid, will result in victim being physically or f
Please define labour racketeering. Provide examples on how this works
The domination, manipulation, and control of a labour movement in order to affect businesses and industries. Ex. Organizations may bribe and coerce union officials for control of workers' benefit plan funds. Labour costs go up, and consumers and workers p
What is bid rigging? Please provide an example
When OC groups increase the cost of a contract, when in fact there really is no competition. Ex. the dairy industry
What is a bust out? Please define and provide an example
OC will take over a business or steal identity. Use legitimate Credit to buy goods and sell them discounted with no intention of paying. Ex. Goodfellas -- restaurant bust out
What is a pump and dump? Please define and provide an example
Encouraging investors to buy shares in a company in order to inflate the price artificially, and then selling one's own shares while the price is high. Ex. Webistics
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was a pivotal event in the history of Organized crime in Chicago. Please describe the event, make sure to highlight the main participants and impact
The massacre took place in a garage, in which the Moran Gang believed a liquor shipment from Detroit was being sent. Five of Capone's men raided the garage killed six of Moran's men and one mechanic. It horrified the public resulting in public outcry and
Why was Al Capone described as a Robin Hood type figure?
He was well respected in chicago, limiting his activities to booze, gambling, and prostitution. Set up soup kitchens
What were the "Beer Wars" in Chicago. Please highlight the main participants and its impact
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The murder of Bugsy Siegel remains unsolved. Please list and briefly describe the five major murder suspects
Jack Dragna -- Jealousy and revenge, could have ordered the death but not actually do it
Virginia Hill -- girlfriend, leading a double life, could have been feeding the mob information (she wasn't home when he was killed in her home)
Mickey Cohen -- Bugsy