Food Stamp Fraud Targeted, but Not Bank Fraud
Going after criminal cases targeting fraud has come down to what’s easier to prosecute for the Obama administration.
While Americans of all stripes have clamored for justice in the wake of the financial crisis, the U.S. Department of Justice has chosen to not pursue jail time for banking executives whose decisions wreaked havoc on the financial industry and the economy. The reason: Building cases against bankers is just too hard to do and carries too much risk of failure in the courtroom.
Instead, the Justice Department has allowed the Securities and Exchange Commission to pursue civil cases directed at banks that can yield large financial penalties, but no criminal prosecutions.
With bank fraud out of reach, federal prosecutors have reached for lower-hanging fruit—namely, food stamp cheaters.
http://www.allgov.com/Where_is_the_Money_Going/ViewNews/Food_Stamp_Fraud_Targeted_but_Not_Bank_Fraud_111208