Rosselyn Lima
Paper #1
Corporate + White Collar Crime
After viewing the video and assigned readings, I would like you to discuss whether you think the
crimes committed by Chris Harn and his associates are White-Collar Crimes. Why or Why not?
When determining, you should use the elements/definition of White Collar Crime discussed in the
book and class. Also, I would like you to discuss the sentence the three individuals received. Do
you think the sentences handed down by the Judge were fair? Why or why not?
After viewing the video, I believe that the crimes Chris Harn and his associates committed are
White-Collar Crimes. Sutherland defines White-Collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of
respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” The key features of a
White-Collar Crime are that it’s committed in one’s workplace, the offender’s job plays a central role
in the crime, and the offender’s job is viewed as legitimate by society. In this case, Harn committed
the crime during his occupation. The center of Harn’s crime was his job as an Autotote programmer.
Without Harn’s access to the company’s system, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to commit
the crimes he did. I believe the sentence the three individuals received was insufficient for the
amount of money they had stolen. Harn received a year and a day in a federal penitentiary for
compliance, and his accomplices received two years. Since they committed a federal crime, I believe
Harn should’ve received at least two years in a federal penitentiary rather than such a lenient
sentence as they received.