United States Organized Crime Strike Force

As of 2019, Brigid Martin was the Chief of the Northern California Strike Force. Karen Kreuzkamp was the Deputy Chief. == History and mission ==

Creation of the Strike Forces (1966) The Strike Forces were created in the late 1960s for the purpose of finding and prosecuting illegal racketeering. They were formed in a congressional effort led by Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Specifically, the Strike Forces were directed toward the identification and investigation of taxpayers and labor officials who derived substantial income from organized criminal activities. The coordination of enforcement efforts and close cooperation and liaison with other federal, state, and local enforcement agencies are necessary for effective Strike Force operations. Many of the early investigations conducted by the Strike Forces, particularly those involving labor racketeering, were led by the Department of Labor Office of Organized Crime and Racketeering. Since 1966, the Labor Department had been investigating the connection between organized crime and organized labor as part of a Justice Department task force. Under Senate pressure the department created a separate office and put it under the inspector general's control. From 1978 to 1984, the office brought 95 cases against alleged mobsters and union racketeers, securing 201 convictions and 55 acquittals. Following this, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Joseph Biden, held a joint hearing on organized crime to look into the question of consolidating the Strike Forces with the offices of the United States Attorneys and Assistant United States Attorneys around the country. The primary problems noted by Senators Strom Thurmond and Ted Kennedy were the fact that the Strike Forces were not equipped to investigate enterprises of drugs or narcotics trafficking, and that rivalries existed between the Attorneys General and the Strike Forces in certain cities where they were investigating the same criminal networks. The name "Strike Forces" at this time was changed to Organized Crime Strike Force Units (OCFSU). Within the next six months, over 25% of the organized crime prosecutors in the Department of Justice tendered their resignations. From October 2003 through September 2004, the OIG's labor racketeering program had 130 open cases involving organized crime groups. In addition, during this time frame, its racketeering investigations resulted in over $36.5 million in monetary accomplishments, including restitutions and forfeitures, plus 260 indictments and 143 convictions. Restructure of the OCRS into the VCRS (2010) In 2010, the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section (OCRS) was merged with the National Gang Targeting Enforcement and Coordination Center (GangTECC), and the Gang Unit to become the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS). As of 2011, the VCRS had the responsibility to ensure that OCSFU cases are prosecuted. == Strike Forces history ==

Buffalo Strike Force (1966–1968) In 1966, the first Strike Force of the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section (OCRS) was established in Buffalo, New York, and was known as the Buffalo Strike Force. The Buffalo Strike Force coordinated the efforts of the OCRS and federal law enforcement agencies. This team was composed of members from the Bureau of Customs, the Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and others. The team jointly; Detroit Strike Force After the success of Bob Peloquin and the Buffalo Strike Force, the Detroit Strike Force was the second Strike Force established in the United States. Newark Strike Force After the 1967 Newark riots, Attorney General John N. Mitchell created the Newark, New Jersey Strike Force. Mitchell appointed John R. Bartels Jr. to run it. Bartels performed investigations, interviewed suspects, worked alongside federal agents, and arranged for witness protection. Bartels was directly responsible for "the most significant attack on organized crime in the state’s history." When Sam Giancana was killed, Chief Vaira commented to the Los Angeles Times: “It looks like a private thing, like he’s done something to somebody. I don’t think it’s because of his grand jury testimony.” In 1970, the Chicago Strike Force began a three-year investigation of police corruption in Chicago. The results included the conviction of "scores of officers." More than 60 officers in the Chicago Police Department were sent to prison. Boston Strike Force The Boston Strike Force was involved in the hunt for Whitey Bulger under its former Strike Force Chief Jeremiah O'Sullivan. Brooklyn Strike Force A former Chief of the Brooklyn Strike Force was Barbara Jones. Cleveland Strike Force The Cleveland Strike Force, which was a joint-operation between the Departments of Justice and Labor, faced a setback in the prosecution of Jackie Presser, the President of the Teamsters. It was revealed that the FBI, which had not been involved in the Cleveland Strike Force, had made Presser a confidential informant. The Department of Labor also alleged wrongdoing in this case on the part of Department of Justice officials. This case was the inspiration for the movie Casino. The Las Vegas Strike force successfully drove the mob out of Las Vegas. Anderson and the Strike Force developed a feud with judges Harry Claiborne and Roger D. Foley after the judges had ordered casinos reopened that were in the process of being shut down. Los Angeles Strike Force The Los Angeles Strike Force was created in 1970. Miami Strike Force In 1978, the Miami Strike Force indicted Anthony Accetturo and several of his gang members for extortion. However, the Chief of the Miami Strike Force misplaced the key witness in the case, and was replaced by Mark Tuohey. The witness, William Stone, was recovered in Hawaii by the FBI, but not before Special Agent Ben Grogan was killed in a Miami parking lot. The New Orleans Strike Force took on the case of Carlos Marcello, who was arrested by FBI agent Patrick O'Connor. The New Orleans Strike Force directed Operation BRILAB. Philadelphia Strike Force The Philadelphia Strike Force, established in the 1970's, was responsible largely for the dismantling of the Philadelphia crime family in South Philadelphia in its day. The Philadelphia Strike Force was dissolved in 2008, when it was merged into a drugs and gangs unit. == See also ==