Joan Knothe Stein'72

Describe your work:
Not that long ago, few of us were familiar with the phrase “identity theft.” Now we shred our bills, prefer mailboxes with locks, protect our credit card numbers, check our bank statements carefully, and are cautious about internet purchases. Investigators and prosecutors have had to adapt to the changing face of crime in our country. I specialize in economic crimes and am assigned to the Fraud Task Force—which is made up of Secret Service agents, police officers, postal inspectors and DA staff. Mostly I see embezzlements, counterfeit currency and identity theft cases. We charge the suspects, resolve the cases, argue for appropriate sentences and urge full restitution for crime victims. Alerting the public to the new risks and working with them to react quickly is critical. Identity fraud won’t go away, and it won’t be solved by law enforcement alone. The partnership between the consumers and the responding agencies will deter thieves and reduce dollar losses.

What is commonly misunderstood about your work?
I think the public has a pretty good idea of what the prosecutor does from either jury service or the spate of TV shows dealing with the criminal justice system. The one stereotype I don’t like is that of the hard-hearted prosecutor who will stop at nothing to win. While there could be a bad apple anywhere, the professional standards of a career prosecutor’s office would not tolerate such an attitude or behavior. Ethical standards demand a commitment to justice and fair play.

Institutional Advancement
College of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 363-5682
(800) 648-3468