The American criminologist Edwin Sutherland defined white-collar crime as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." Through concealment, deceit, or violation of trust, white-collar criminals bilk investors of their life savings, ruin companies, and destroy lives. But compared to violent crime, are such "high society" crimes, taken seriously enough by law enforcement and politicians? When caught, are white-collar criminals punished severely enough? And what role should government play in involving itself in these matters? In an era of vast pyramid schemes and rampant credit fraud, readers can explore these timely issues and many others in White-Collar Crime.
