7/9/2013
By Ivan Pereira
Tuesday’s arrest of a group of mobsters who made millions illegally selling Viagra and setting up online gambling is just part of the criminal evolution process, according to an expert.
Eugene O’Donnell, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said he wasn’t surprised when he heard that the night accused Bonanno members were engaging in these 21st Century crimes.
“They’re going to seize opportunities to make money in creative and newfangled ways. The activities are migrating from the backroom of the social club to more contemporary schemes,” the former NYPD officer and prosecutor said.
O’Donnell said not only are organized crime tactics changing, but so are their members. Gone are the hierarchies among families and in their place are the foot soldiers who are savvy enough to make the most money, according to the professor.
“You have to get rid of the notion of the guy in the bath robe walking down the block. There is a new mosaic of criminal players,” he said.
The professor said that current law enforcement needs to think outside the box in order to crack down on these groups.
“If there’s a demand they will create a supply therefore they’re always looking to innovate and procure revenue,” he said.
