White-collar crimes are nonviolent violent offenses that are committed for either direct or indirect monetary benefit. These illegal actions are carried out by professionals in business, finance, or the government. White-collar crimes are linked to a number of components that help us determine whether a person has done the crime. The Espionage Act is a reference to a federal law enacted in the United States in June 1917, following the country's entry into World War I, and it provides a clear framework for prosecuting those who engage in these crimes. Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, committed this offense by divulging private and diplomatic communications to third parties; as a result, he needs to be apprehended. According to this case, Assange infringed upon the most significant
portions of this act. Some people supported Assange because they saw his crime as victimless and not costly.
In my opinion, Julian never obtained the outcome he deserves. The Justice department did not state in the article that the behavior of Assange was deviant since their statements were contradicting. The three effects on justice pursuit are that the department does consider his behavior as being deviant. There are several key elements used to identify white-collar crimes. One of these elements is security fraud or fraudulent scams. Julian Assange took part in a fraudulent scam since he wanted to harm the United States by leaking confidential details which are the violation of Espionage Act. Money is another key element that makes people engaged in white-collar crimes to gain financial rewards. Julian Assange, for example, violated the Espionage Act for financial gain. Julian did not imagine that one time he will be answerable for his actions and be incarcerated or fined. The third element is organized crime. Organized crime is a local, national, and transnational grouping of people of highly centralized companies run by crooks with the aim of taking part in illegal activities, in particular for financial gains and benefits. Julian Assange, masterminded crime transnational, according to the key elements of a white-collar crime it is true he committed the crime. His actions of violating the Espionage Act by releasing diplomatic messages with intentions of hurting the United States and also his bad intentions are enough to prosecute him (Dedman, 2015).
Part two
Wilson's administration proposed the Espionage Act, and Congress passed it as the Espionage Act of 15th June 1917. The Act hinders willful transmission of information or communication to unauthorized individuals (Dedman, 2015). Espionage Act indicates that it is illegal for anyone to leak details intended to interfere with the army prosecution of war effort or to support the success of the U.S enemies (History, 2014). Individuals found guilty of this acts, or false statements that interfere with the prosecution of the war and agitating against the production of relevant weapons or materials will face a harsh penalty of $10,000 or a prison sentence of twenty years (History, 2014). The first part of the Espionage Act Assange violated was abusing the government by making a statement that intended to bring down the United States, and he did it with evil motives. He said that he wanted to bring down incumbent banks and administrations (Dedman, 2015).
Julian’s statement about hurting the national security is just the beginning and could lead to future leaks of confidential information. Dedmans’ article states that Assange violated the Espionage Act according to his statements. The second section of Espionage Act that Julian infringed upon was the distribution of classified information that contained unauthorized disclosure of national defense secrets which violates the act. The law prohibits journalists or anyone else from redistributing classified information thinking first amendment will save them, but it will not apply. The other sections of the Act he infringed upon were stealing American property and giving it to others so they can hurt the United States. Julian Assange did three things to infringe upon the Espionage act which in turn caused damage, harm, and could have had major impacts on the national security, the administration as well as put countless innocent individuals of the United States at risk which he termed as “collateral damage” (Feinstein, 2010).
Part three
Some Julian’s supporters would argue that if he leaves the Australian embassy where he has been residing for over three years and go to Sweden, he will be extradited to the United States where he will be prosecuted for treason. His supporters will conclude that he executed these actions with bad faith thus he should have known that giving confidential information would cause harm not only to him but also to the security agency in the United States. Assange may overcome this case by legal groups and having mainstream media on his side, but they must believe that the First Amendment protects him. Julian must also prove that he did not do anything illegal or different from what others in communication industry do concerning publishing materials.
According to the way things are, I can argue that he never received what he expected because he would not be flown away and would not be tried as the criminal as perceived in the USA. I believe if he comes out of the embassy by any chance, he will be extradited to the United States where he will be judged for violating Espionage Act.
Part four
The Department of Justice has not come out clean to classify Julian Assange’s behavior as deviant even though the Department acknowledges that he infringed the Espionage Act and that he did horrible actions towards the US government and his citizens. The Justice Department wants to make sure that Julian gets the prosecution regarding violation of the Espionage Act. The U.S. Justice Department is consulting other laws since there was a conspiracy which made people consider these actions as deviant (Clinard & Meier, 2011). Leaking and stealing such materials is seen as a deviant act. The first effect on the pursuit of justice does not see Julian Assange’s behavior as perverted because of his intent to harm the United States and the people who reside there.
Julian admits to the awful statements he stated even though he said that his “primary concern is to deal with the U.S. case”. However, he is afraid of leaving British building because he will be extradited “in connection with the leak of the cables and other confidential documents” (Liebelson, 2013). The second effect on the pursuit of justice is that the Department of Justice is already prepared to serve Julian Assange for his deviant behaviors he inflicted upon the government and the people of the U.S. The Justice Department has a sealed and prepared indictment against Julian for his deviant behaviors.
The Justice Department is ready to extradite him for his deviant behavior and make sure he faces the consequences of his actions. The third effect on the pursuit of justice in the Department of Justice has their investigation finished and is ready to prosecute Julian Assange for his actions. The criminal prosecution is very much applicable to his actions, and it does not grant him any leeway when it comes to the First Amendment.
Conclusion
Julian Assange betrayed the United States by making it possible for the enemies to access security information. According to the Act, anyone who leaks information or helps the enemy win must be prosecuted for treason. Therefore, he made the worst mistake by breaking the law through his statements on how he planned to hurt the United States. His actions portray him as an enemy of the United States.
References
Clinard, M., & Meier, R. (2011). Sociology of deviant behavior (14th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
Dedman, B. (2015). U.S. v. WikiLeaks: espionage and the First Amendment. NBC News.
Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40653249/ns/us_news-wikileaks_in_security/t/us-v-wikileaks-espionage-first-amendment/#.WX-9q4jyg2w
Feinstein, D. (2010). Prosecute Assange Under the Espionage Act. The Wall Street Journal.
Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703989004575653280626335258
History. (2014). U. S. Congress Passes Espionage Act. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-espionage-act
Liebelson, D. (2013, June 19). Julian Assange: WikiLeaks Preparing More Disclosures. Mother
Jones. Retrieved from http://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2013/06/assange-wikileaks-preparing-publications-touch-snowdens-legal-team/
