“On June 16, 1931, Al Capone pled guilty to tax evasion and prohibition charges. He then boasted to the press that he had struck a deal for a short sentence, but the presiding judge informed him said he was not bound by any deal. Capone then changed his plea to not guilty. On October 18, 1931, Capone was convicted after trial, and on November 24, was sentenced to 11 years in a federal prison, fined $50,000 and charged $7,692 for court costs, in addition to $215,000 plus interest due on back taxes.”

-- Organized Crime In America, Gus Tyler

Media Statement
For immediate release
Thursday, 30 October, 2003

Dunne, Alexander: How to ‘Al Capone’ the gangs

The planks of United Future’s gang-busting initiative will be:

- Civil proceedings are initiated against those whom it can be established with a reasonable certainty participate in criminal organisations.
- A criminal conviction is then not needed in order to trigger these proceedings.
- At the outset of proceedings, assets are frozen to prevent these being dispersed in the interim.
- Upon the state confirming – on the balance of probabilities - in Court that the person is involved in a criminal organisation, the onus of proof is reversed and the gang or its member is required to prove that it is more likely than not that any money, property or possessions held by them directly or in trusts etc, has been legitimately sourced. Failure to do so will result in confiscation of said money, property or possessions.
- Innocent third parties with interests in the assets are able to lodge an objection to their confiscation.
- The increased police resources required could be funded from monies confiscated, with drug rehabilitation programmes, community etc to also be funded.

Mr Dunne and Mr Alexander are also planning a fact-finding visit to Australia, during which they will take a close look at alternative models offered in at least two states. Ends.

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