White Collar Crime

The “Kids for Cash” scandal that erupted in Northeastern Pennsylvania illustrates the far-reaching damage caused by white-collar crime. Besides the economic impact resulting from kickbacks paid to Judges Ciavarella and Conahan, thousands of juveniles were “used as pawns” by the defendants. The children’s psychological scars are permanent. So, too, is the societal damage. When we encounter such a gross example of the mighty preying upon the vulnerable, we lose faith in our system of justice. Most of us have come to expect that, every year, a certain number of politicians will be caught taking bribes. But when our judges are also on the take, it is much more dangerous. Very few checks and balances exist to rein in judicial corruption.

It may be impossible to definitively determine why these two judges, along with their co-conspirators, risked everything to commit their crimes. They held lofty positions, rubbed shoulders with other high achievers and commanded deference unfamiliar to most of us. As public figures, they also operated in the open, subject to increased scrutiny. These factors, and more, make their acts all the more unfathomable.

This case presents us with an opportunity to explore why “people of respectability” engage in WCC. While each case is unique, common threads frequently appear. Your assignment is to conduct research into the “Kids for Cash” scandal and, by referring to James William Coleman’s chapter on “Causes” out of the textbook “The Criminal Elite”, suggest what led the defendants to break the law. There may be other causes that you believe motivated these defendants, as well. These could include cultural, political, institutional, or occupational factors. Examine these causes and explain why you believe they may have influenced the defendants.