Below are examples of misdeeds committed by celebrities. Read each of them and classify them according to whether the acts are crimes vs just deviant. Also, identify those actions that you think are white-collar crimes and those that would be traditional crimes.
1. Former boy-band manager Lou Pearlman (former manager of ’N Sync and Backstreet Boys) was convicted of defrauding more than $300 million from investors as part of a Ponzi scheme.
2. In November 2015, rapper DMX was arrested for allegedly failing to pay child support.
3. Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was convicted of murder.
4. “Real Housewife” Teresa Giudice was sentenced to prison after being convicted of bankruptcy and mortgage fraud along with her husband.
5. Kanye West interrupted the MTV music awards while Taylor Swift was giving an acceptance speech.
6. In January 2009, Dane Cook’s manager was charged with embezzling $10 million from Cook. The manager, Darryl J. McCauley, was Cook’s half brother.
7. Actor Zac Efron told a reporter that he has stolen costumes from movie sets after the filming was completed. He said: “I think I stole some of the stuff. Always, on the last day, they try and get it out of your trailer really quick. Always steal some of your wardrobe. You never know what you’re going to need” (Hasegawa, 2010).
7. Actor Bill Cosby was found guilty of sexually assaulting numerous women by using a sedative and taking advantage of them.
8. Hugh Grant was arrested for having sexual relations with a prostitute.
9. Martha Stewart was convicted of perjury after it was found that she lied to investigators about some of her stock purchases.
Why does it matter how you classify these behaviors?
How are the behaviors you labeled white-collar crime different from those you labeled as traditional crimes?
Why do we study white-collar crime?
You should provide your answers in the form of a 1-2 page essay (double spaced). You should write it in APA format to the best of your ability.
This assignment provides assessment for the following unit outcomes.
Define white-collar crime (connects to CO1).
Outline the history of the study of white-collar crime and the evolution of definitions around the term (connects to CO1).
Identify how we study white collar crime (connects to CO1).
Text Source- Payne, B.K. (2022). White-Collar Crime: A Systems Approach. Sage Publications.
