ABSTRACT
The concept of state crime recognizes that the state and its personnel violate the laws that are supposed to bind them. State crimes are “acts defined by laws as criminal and committed by state officials in pursuit of their job as representatives of the state” (Chambliss, 1989: 184). This concept draws attention to how state positions are a source of criminal opportunities (Green, 1990: 12-13). Like other white collar crime, state crimes may be committed for personal gain or on behalf of the employing organization, which is known as organizational crime (Coleman, 1989: 9). The dividing line between these two types of state crime is fluid; activities that benefit one’s state agency often lead to the criminal’s promotion and higher pay.
