The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING FRAUD ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2017” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E146 on Feb. 6, 2017.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING FRAUD ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2017
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HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
of new york
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 6, 2017
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to reintroduce the Human Trafficking Fraud Enforcement Act of 2017 with my colleague Rep. Ted Poe.
In March 1931, the infamous gangster, Al Capone, was ultimately indicted for tax fraud. Today the IRS Criminal Investigations division continues to play a vital role in proving criminal activity and fraud. I believe that the IRS can play a similar role in cracking down on criminals profiting from human trafficking and prostitution.
This bill authorizes $4 million to establish an office within the IRS to prosecute sex traffickers for violations of tax laws. The office would focus on the willful failure of traffickers to file returns, supply information, or pay tax where the taxpayer is an ``aggravated'' non-filer. In addition, the office would coordinate closely with existing task forces focused on sex trafficking offenders in the Department of Justice.
The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase criminal monetary and other penalties for attempts to: evade or defeat tax, willful failure to file a tax return, supply information, or pay tax, aggravated failure to file tax returns, fraud and false statements, and underpayment or overpayment of tax due to fraud. This offense will carry a maximum sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of $50,000.
The Human Trafficking Fraud Enforcement Act of 2017 also establishes a new felony offense for an aggravated failure to file to include failure to file with respect to income or payments derived from activity which is criminal under Federal or State law. This will target those involved in the promotion of commercial sex acts--pimps and traffickers--and not conduct of exploited persons in prostitution.
Last, this bill directly benefits those who are victimized by the traffickers by revising current IRS Whistleblower provisions so that women and girls who choose to come forward to cooperate in an investigation will be eligible to participate in the whistleblower program and may ultimately be granted up to 15% of any fines levied against the trafficker.
We must use every tool possible to take down traffickers, who have often proven elusive to apprehend and prosecute. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation.
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