Making Cash off Criminals

One way to make some fast cash during an economic slump: turn in felony criminals!

Crime stoppers has long been known as an organization that offers cash rewards for tips that lead to an arrest or grand jury indictment for felony crimes. In a typical year they receive just over 400 tips that lead to such an arrest or conviction for Crime Stoppers of Ouachita, LA.

Record numbers of tips received in 2008 totalled 578, up 31% and a record high since 2000. Coordinator Jeff Gilbert attributes the rise in legitimate tips to the economic slump. More and more people are willing to give up those they know have comitted crimes so they can pay their rent.

Crime Stoppers, in operation in Ouachita Parish since 1984, gives rewards of up to $2,000 for tips that lead to an arrest or grand jury indictment for any felony crime. Crime Stoppers informants will not be asked to leave their names, will never go to court and all information remains confidential.

Gilbert said a tip that leads to an arrest on a failure to appear warrant could get a $100 reward, while a tip in a homicide case could merit a $2,000 tip.

"I think people are more aware of the organization, and we have done a good job of publicizing it," said Darlene Cusanza, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Greater New Orleans and president of the Louisiana Crime Stoppers Association.

"With the economy the way it is, we certainly expect an increase in tips this year," she said.


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Nurses Work in California with Criminal Backgrounds

Many nurses have slipped through the cracks in California. In a review by the The Times and ProPublica (a non-profit investigative newsroom) found that regulators acted late or not at all after being informed that nurses had committed serious crimes. In some instances, nurses were given their license renewals after reporting their own felonies to the California Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

"Obviously the public isn't protected," said John Brion, the assistant clinical professor at Duke University School of Nursing. "If you have a person who's already been convicted and served their time and they haven't even been charged by the board...I would really question what's wrong with the system.

Licensed, vocational nurse Carlito Manabat Jr. is one case. Accused by two patients of sexual battery and molestation while under his care in 2006, Manabat pleaded no contest. He served six months in jail and registered as a sex offender. In February of 2008, he renewed his license, checking the "Yes" box that indicates he has been convicted of a crime. Two years later, the bureau is investigating the matter. Meanwhile, Manabat has been nursing and continues to do so as the case is still pending.

Discrepancies such as this are quite common at the bureau. The investigation revealed that 27 nurses had 3 or more criminal convictions, and 3 had more than 9.

Hospitals and clinics rely on the information provided by the bureau to vet potential new hires. The bureau blames low staffing and received approval last year to hire more staff to handle the demand. Some nurses are fingerprinted, but not all. The only other method of checking up on nurses is to rely on their own integrity. They check that "yes" box if they've been convicted. The bureau is huge and most of the fault is likely administrative, but when public lives and health are at risk, is there really any excuse?

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