Utah's 'White Collar Crime Registry'

In 2015, Utah became the first state in the U.S. to implement a white-collar crime registry. Similar to a sex-offender registry, Utah's registry provides searchable information and history about felons who've been convicted of white-collar crimes. This begs the question: Why would Utah want to be the first to implement this resource? Primarily because of the increasing prevalence of white-collar crime in the state — particularly, affinity fraud.

An affinity fraudster, who either purports or actually is a member of an identifiable group, fosters trusting relationships through common bonds as the catalyst for schemes. In California, Armando Ruiz preyed on members of the Hispanic community. [See the March 12, 2012, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges.]

In Chicago, Clayton A. Cohen, a former marine, focused his attention on "investments" from current and former military. (See the Aug. 6, 2013, SEC release.)

Gaston Cantens used his position in the Florida Cuban American community to gain investors. (See the April 5, 2012, SEC release.)