Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Why Is A Fraud Not A Fraud

I have a question which has been bothering me for some quite time.

If a private individual or a private company raises money under false pretenses, such as collecting money for a specific purpose, such as helping people caught up in a natural disaster, but then uses that money for his or her own benefit, it's called fraud and the person or entity can go to prison.

However, when a government official or an agency connected with government, asks the voters to approve a multi-million dollar bond issue which would be used to repair schools, but is then used for salaries and everything else but repairs, we're told that it's nothing more than a scandal.

I wish someone would define the difference between the two.


Asked on 1/21/04, 8:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Why Is A Fraud Not A Fraud

In the spirit of the question, it is because the GOVERNMENT and its minions say so!! Use this issue as the incentive to get active in politics and make a change with your letters to representatives and the media, and with your vote. Every vote counts, and if you don't believe it, look at the 2000 election. Less than one vote per precinct in the US kept Gore from being Chief Global Warming Guru.

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Answered on 1/21/04, 2:34 pm


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