irs & rico(racketeering) (private)

Question answered by FredricRice in Organized Crime

Anonymous asked this question on 9/15/2000:

Does the irs ever bring rico act violations against business firms, companies that conspire to evade taxes and launder monies with the tax savings proceeds? Does the fbi ever get into the act of investigating these activites, same question? Does the irs ever hit companies with rico act seizures and forfeitures for conspiracy tax fraud & evasion?

FredricRice gave this response on 9/15/2000:

The IRS isn't a law enforcement agency though they do have a great deal of power when it comes to getting courts to force payment of taxes. When the IRS determines that tax evasion has taken place, they will file criminal charges with a number of agencies depending upon what the alleged crimes consist of.

Money laundering would be reported to the U. S. Treasury as well as the FBI. Racketeering would draw in the Domestic Terrorism Task Force of the State where the alleged criminals are operating or, if they're wide-spread, would draw in domestic terrorism tasks forces which are Federally controlled.

Since the ISR isn't itself a law enforcement agency, they must contact the proper authorities just like anyone else has to however the ISR is given the automatic assumption that their claims are valid -- as opposed to a citizen who wants to report an instance of money laundering.

The IRS does have the power to grant and revoke tax exemption status for organizations which they find to be violating the rules. If the IRS feels it has enough evidence to warrant the reporting of felonies to law enforcement agencies, they would automatically revoke the organization's tax exemption status -- unless it's the Scientology cult which is given special dispensation which no other organization in America enjoys.

So to answer your question, the IRS doesn't have that power to seize. They must convince a judge or a jury that the accused is guilty.

And that's markedly different than the unconstitutional drug forfeiture laws currently on the books, by the way. The Constitution doesn't allow property to be seized unless it's in fine or punishment for a conviction. Under the current laws, however, judges seize people's property if they're only accused of drug possession.

Any way, that's a side issue.

If you're aware of incidents, report them to norfolk@fbi.gov with a brief summation of the crimes being committed and be sure to include relevant evidence. Make an appointment to meet with the local field offices of the FBI in your area and bring evidence with you. You'll be questioned about the evidence and then you'll go on your way, never to hear anything back from the FBI. (The FBI takes in information, they never offer it.)

And if I can be of any help, frice@raids.org is my e-mail address. I've worked with numerous Federal agencies over the past five years and perhaps I'll have a better contact for you depending upon what -- if anything -- you've got.

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