Financial Crime Investigation Techniques Under Scrutiny as White Collar Crime Section Unveils New Strategies
In an effort to combat the increasing threat of financial crimes in the Virgin Islands, the White Collar Crime Section of the Department of Justice has been strengthening its investigation and prosecution techniques.
About the White Collar Crime Section
Established under the statutory mandate of Section 118 of Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code, the White Collar Crime Section is tasked with pursuing “aggressive prosecution” of white collar crime and corruption cases. The section is led by a Director who oversees two functional components: prosecution and investigation.
Prosecution Component
The prosecution arm is staffed with Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) who:
- Provide legal advice to law enforcement agencies during the investigative stages of a case
- Evaluate evidence and determine what charges to file based on the presented evidence
- Bring cases to trial and full prosecution, working closely with other law enforcement agencies such as:
- Virgin Islands Police Department
- Inspector General Office
- Bureau of Internal Revenue
Additionally, private citizen complaints filed directly with the White Collar Crime Section or the Attorney General are referred to the section for prosecution.
Investigation Component
The investigation component is equipped with an investigative accountant who is a certified fraud examiner and peace officer. This expert conducts primarily financial investigations into complex white collar complaints filed with the Attorney General or the White Collar Crime Section.
Powers and Duties
The White Collar Crime Section’s powers and duties include:
- Conducting criminal investigations and prosecutions of white collar and public corruption offenses generated by private citizen complaints and referrals from other law enforcement agencies
- Instituting aggressive prosecution of these crimes, which fall within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General under Virgin Islands statutes or are authorized for prosecution with the consent of the United States Attorney
Goals and Objectives
The White Collar Crime Section’s efforts aim to:
- Combat financial crimes in the territory, including cases of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering
- Root out these offenses and bring perpetrators to justice by working closely with local law enforcement agencies
Training Sessions
As part of its mandate, the section will also be conducting training sessions for law enforcement officers on financial crime investigation techniques, aimed at enhancing their skills in detecting and prosecuting these crimes.
Conclusion
With its enhanced powers and duties, the White Collar Crime Section is poised to play a crucial role in tackling the growing menace of financial crimes in the Virgin Islands.