SALT LAKE CITY — FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III lauded recent cooperative efforts between federal, state and local agencies in recent cases involving Tongan Crip gang members and securities fraud initiative during a visit to Salt Lake City on Monday.
"It takes a partnership of all of us working together to be successful," said Mueller, who was in town to visit the Salt Lake FBI office.
A federal indictment filed last month against 17 gang members includes charges of robbery, brandishing a firearm and conspiracy to act as an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.
Also, the FBI in Utah is currently investigating 115 cases of investment fraud with 4,400 victims and losses of $1.4 billion and is working with the state on a campaign to keep residents from falling into Ponzi schemes or other frauds perpetrated by people they trust.
The director sidestepped questions about illegal immigration, particularly regarding Arizona's new immigration law. Immigration enforcement is not part of the FBI's charge.
"I know it's a sensitive issue," Mueller said. "I don't really have anything to contribute to that dialog."
In addition to securities and mortgage fraud and white-collar and organized crime, the agency focuses its resources on thwarting terrorism.
— Dennis Romboy