Corporate Crimes

Like people, organizations can be accused and found guilty of criminal conduct. Corporate crimes are illegal acts committed by employees on a company’s behalf. Corporate crime is sometimes also referred to as “white-collar crime,” though the latter term includes crimes carried out by professionals on their own behalf rather than in a company’s interests. Corporate crime, in contrast, occurs when the actions fall into the scope of employment, even if the actions violate company policies. In such cases, the companies themselves are tried in court, and individuals within the company may be charged with crimes as well. Unlike people, companies cannot be sent to jail, but they can be ordered to make restitution to victims, subjected to asset forfeiture, and forced to pay fines, which ...