PBS, "Inside the FBI" documentary series, Outlines.

NYC Mafia.

1976 Undercover investigation became long term.

Italian agent became full member of Bonnano family, a "made man".

Authorized to commit crimes but not violence.

Had to pull out after 6 yrs.

Hoover's failure to investigate organized crime despite 1934 RICO statute.

Gambling, homosexuality?

Appalachia, NY late 1960s break:

troopers stumbled on national mafia convention in small town motel;

proved national conspiracy.

Hoover was criticized for denying existence of national mafia.

FBI's Anti-mafia intervention:

Obliged to send SAC Roemer to bug Giancana's HQ, Chicago mob.

Mobsters sang in return for lesser sentences.

1960s major jailbird testified before Senate:

Joseph Valachi identified members throughout US.

RICO required totally new mode of investigation: pattern of crimes, not just individual crimes.  

Fulton Fish market, NYC example, 1984-: 

• Union seamen fish workers in mafia.  
• FBI managed to get order against certain individuals entering the market.  Added inspectors to enforce the court order.  
• LCN = La Cosa Nostra

FBI using computers increasingly instead of staff time.

fingerprints, files, info system to solve murders (e.g. recreate crime with computer simulation of bullet angle striking body, show inconsistencies with story of accidental shooting by gun collector).

NCIC data bank of crime stats, stolen property.

Introduced by Hoover 1967 but depends on accurate input. Example of inaccuracy: Terry Dean Rogan's wallet stolen by criminal, still having trouble with false entries referring to him. Sued police because FBI puts onus on user of false info, not guaranteeing own accuracy.

Privacy, integrity of data?

FBI says very difficult to hack, no evidence of hacking to date.

But Schweitzer says easy to get crim history by faxing friends inside; he revealed sources and methods of getting FBI info in plea bargain with FBI.

White Collar Crime.

Bank fraud, embezzlement: $200 Bn cost to economy /yr. Recovered $3 Bn worth of property last year. Steal 10x more than street criminals. 1/3 of FBI staff time. Having to use sting & undercover work because white collar criminals clever. Cannot entrap, only act in concert with criminals. Ct ruled against FBI for posing as hit man and setting up young man (Micheal) to buy service. Waco siege killed 75 but FBI cleared of blame and special agents received award. Inward looking clique.