FBI New Orleans Division

The FBI's investigative authority is the broadest of all federal law enforcement agencies. As a result of our substantial investigative responsibilities, the FBI has adopted a strategic approach which targets for investigation organized or egregious criminal activity and significant counter intelligence matters. The FBI's investigative philosophy emphasizes close relations and information sharing with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies. A significant number of FBI investigations are conducted in concert with other law enforcement agencies or as part of joint task forces.

Categories of Investigative Programs

As part of this process, the FBI has divided its investigations into seven programs: Applicant Matters, Civil Rights, Counterterrorism, Foreign Counterintelligence, Organized Crime/Drugs, Violent Crimes and Major Offenders, and White-Collar Crime.

These programs represent the FBI’s responsibilities as assigned by law. Individual cases in a particular program may receive extensive investigative attention because of their size, potential impact, or sensitivity.

Investigations are conducted within the Attorney General’s Guidelines which pertain to racketeering enterprises, general criminal investigations, undercover operations, criminal informant matters, extraterritorial investigations, and domestic security/terrorism matters.

Some sensitive investigative methods, such as undercover activities and electronic surveillance, are subject to specific and rigorous review and approval procedures.

Examples of Investigative Matters

The following presents examples of some investigative matters in each of the above programs. Note that the same violation may appear in more than one program.

Applicant Program

• Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Applicants
• Department of Justice Candidates
• FBI Special Agent and Support Applicants
• U.S. Court Candidates
• White House Staff Candidates

Civil Rights Program

• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Discrimination in Housing
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act

Counterterrorism Program

• Domestic Terrorism
• Hostage Taking
• Overseas Homicide/Attempted Homicide (U.S. Persons)
• Protection of Foreign Officials and Guests
• Sabotage
• Domestic Security
• Attempted or Actual Bombings
• Nuclear Extortion
• Sedition
• National Infrastructure Protection

Foreign Counterintelligence Program

• Espionage
• Foreign Counterintelligence Matters

Organized Crime/Drug Program

• Drug Matters
• Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
• Criminal Enterprise Investigations
• Labor Racketeering
• Money Laundering
• Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force Matters

Violent Crimes and Major Offenders Program

• Fugitives Wanted as a Result of FBI Investigations
• Escaped Federal Prisoners (some instances)
• Probation/Parole Violations (some instances)
• Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (including parental kidnapping fugitives)
• Crime on Indian Reservations
• Theft of Government Property
• Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle
• Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property
• Theft from Interstate Shipments
• Assaulting, Kidnapping, or Killing the President, Vice President, Members of Congress
• Bank Robbery, Burglary, or Larceny
• Crime Aboard Aircraft
• Kidnapping - Extortion
• Crimes Against Children
• Tampering with Consumer Products
• Violent Criminal Street Gangs

Training Program

• Instruction at State Law Enforcement Academies
• FBI National Academy
• National Executive Institute
• Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar
• Laboratory Schools
• Hazardous Devices Schools
• Instructor Development Course

White-Collar Crime Program

• Bank Fraud and Embezzlement
• Environmental Crimes
• Fraud Against the Government
• Corruption of Public Officials
• Health Care Fraud
• Election Law Violations
• Computer Crime

Contact 504-816-3000 or by fax 504-816-3306 with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 6, 2005