U.S. Money Laundering Strategy Targets Large-Scale Operations
(Treasury also requires law enforcers to measure results) (260) Washington -- Disrupting and dismantling large-scale money laundering organizations and prosecuting money launderers to the fullest extent of the law is the U.S. goal, according to a newly released strategy report. The 2001 National Money Laundering Strategy, released September 18 by the Treasury Department, "concentrates law enforcement's resources in high intensity financial crime areas and provides for the structure, training and supervision of specialized money laundering task forces," according to the forward in the report signed by Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and Attorney General John Ashcroft. The strategy was developed by Treasury in consultation with Justice. The strategy mandates continued U.S. cooperation at the international level. It also requires creation of a uniform system to measure law enforcement efforts against money laundering. "We will target and attack large-scale criminal enterprises, professional money launderers, and their high-tech global schemes, and we will bring accountability to law enforcement through measured evaluation," according to the 90-page strategy document. Money laundering has still not become a primary focus for criminal investigation, according to the report. "Our efforts must ensure that money laundering is not simply a 'tag-along' count added to an indictment," the document states. Money laundering is viewed as facilitating bribery, corruption and terrorism. The 2001 National Money Laundering Strategy is available online at: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/docs/ml2001.pdf (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Website: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
