Government shutdown could result in a crime boom, Florida criminal attorney warns

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent criminal defense attorney John P. Contini said that an extended length Government Shutdown will have the unintended impact of increasing crime, similar to the tragic violence now unfolding in Washington D.C.

Contini's legal practice is recognized for successfully representing defendants in State and Federal cases involving murder, drugs, white-collar, sex, and federal crimes.

Contini said that if the shutdown continues, Americans can expect to see a rise in crimes involving food stamp fraud, unemployment compensation fraud, IRS tax return fraud, identity theft, mortgage fraud, bank fraud, and every other fraud and miscellaneous crime creeping into your neighborhood. 

"There is going to be even less government oversight and less law enforcement involvement, let alone the pursuit of the fast growing number of criminals," Contini warned.

"Unfortunately, this isn't just a political battle between President Obama and the Republican leadership, or one over healthcare. Criminals out there will see this as an opportunity to exploit government programs like food stamps believing no one will be watching. That's what criminals do."

Contini added that the idea of important government workers being described as "non-essential" is misleading.

"The Government tells us that 'only' the 'non-essential' federal employees are being 'furloughed,' the fancy word for 'shut down' or sent home without pay," Contini said.

"If they're 'non-essential,' then we don't need them right? But the truth is, these are the people we need most! They're the secretaries and all of the administrative personnel and the vital, internal support system for the body of the Government and all of its federal law enforcement agencies! Think of it like your body: the frame and skin and even the skeletal system seems to be intact, but all of your internal organs are shutting down! Pretty soon the body will die."

Contini has long been a critic of the failure of government, noting that corruption by government employees also can be expected to increase.

"Everything has a consequence. After World War II, we saw a dramatic increase in soldiers coming home, getting married and having babies, resulting in the baby boom that many did not recognize as a challenge until years later," Contini said.

"In the same way, a prolonged government shutdown will have a consequence we might not see or even feel right away, resulting in a crime boom that we won't fully comprehend for many years to come."

Contini added, "We cannot afford to let our guard down in protecting our borders, and this is happening now with the shutdown forcing the 'furlough' of the so-called 'non-essential' support personnel for the Agents of U.S. Customs and Homeland Security. We lead the world in per capita prison population, and the shutdown directly impacts that level of security and protection within our prisons.'

A highly experienced and high powered, seasoned veteran of criminal law, John Contini has successfully represented thousands of criminal defendants in Florida and throughout the United States for over twenty (25) five years.

A former Broward County felony trial prosecutor based in Ft. Lauderdale in South Florida, Contini has defended the criminally accused since 1987.

Contini is recognized as one of the nation's top faith-based legal authorities on individual rights and freedoms. He has authored several books on crime including "Danger Road: A True Crime Story of Murder and Redemption"  (2006) and "Feeling the Heat: an Interrogation of the Soul" (2007), both published by Liberty Press.

For more information visit www.JohnContini.com. You can order John Contini's books by calling Toll Free 1- 800. 266.5564.

SOURCE John P. Contini