Baddour files amendments to Senate Casino Bill in an effort to strengthen law enforcement's ability to fight crime
Amendments supported by broad coalition of legislators, prosecutors, law enforcement, and the Attorney General
June 22, 2010 - Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on The Judiciary, announced today that he has sponsored two amendments to the Senate Casino Bill (SB 2495) that will strengthen law enforcement’s ability to fight economic crimes as a result of legalized gaming in the Commonwealth.
“These amendments, combined with other provisions already included in this bill, are a major step forward in cracking down on money laundering, organized criminal activities, human trafficking and many other serious crimes, said Senator Baddour. “I am proud to join Attorney General Coakley, and several of my colleagues in the Senate in supporting these amendments.”
ENTERPRISE CRIMES (Amendment #75) -
The introduction of legalized gaming into the Commonwealth invites increased criminal activity in and around gaming establishments, such as criminal enterprises and organizations, including so-called organized crime families, street gangs, and large-scale drug and human trafficking groups. Many of these organizations have sophisticated structures and extensive supporting networks that allow them to engage in multiple criminal activities, such as money laundering, illegal gambling, running drugs and guns, credit card and identity theft, and other types of fraud.
This enterprise crime amendment provides tools necessary to investigate and mitigate illegal practices in the Commonwealth by prohibiting patterns of certain crimes committed by corrupt enterprises. This will, among other things, allow ring leaders and major players, who control and direct the enterprise but often do not partake in the actual commission of the crime, to be deterred and held accountable.
Click here to read the Retailers Association of Massachusetts letter supporting Amendment #75.
WIRETAP AND ELECTRONIC SURVEILANCE (Amendment #9) -
Last updated in 1968, the Massachusetts wire interception statute has not been updated to address either the technological advancements in telecommunications or the changes in the nature and structure of criminal enterprises over the past 40 years. This amendment provides much-needed updates to the wire interception law, including adding a definition for "electronic communication," designating new crimes eligible for the use of a lawful interception, and extending the amount of time that a lawful interception can remain open from 15 to 30 days to account for the breadth and complexities of criminal investigations in the 21st century. The amendment also allows lawful, court approved one-party consent monitoring and recording of conversations of certain crimes. At this time, 43 states have wire interception statutes, and 35 have one-party consent statutes.
The Senate will debate all the amendments beginning on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. For more information about the Senate Casino Bill, click here.
