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FBI's Top Fraud, Corruption Cases In 2009

(FBI)-- In 2009, the FBI along with other law enforcement agencies worked everything from cyber crime and espionage to public corruption and billion-dollar fraud schemes. As the year draws to a close, we thought readers would be interested in a look back at some of 2009's most significant cases.

Some of top take downs include:

Espionage: In November, a former State Department official and his wife pled guilty to a 30-year conspiracy to provide classified military information to Cuba. (Preventing and exposing intelligence activities-spying-on U.S. soil remains one of the Bureau's top investigative priorities because it strikes at the heart of national security.)

Cyber heist: Also in November, four hackers were charged with masterminding the simultaneous theft of $9 million from 2,100 ATMs from around the world. They did it all in 12 hours, illustrating the global reach-and threat-of cyber crime. (The arrests illustrated the importance of global law enforcement partnerships.)

Public corruption: In August, former Louisiana Congressman William J. Jefferson was convicted of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering. In November, a federal judge sentenced the 62-year-old to 13 years in prison and ordered him to forfeit more than $470,000. Details on Jefferson's conviction and sentencing.

Operation Phish Phry: Nearly 100 people were charged in the U.S. and Egypt in October in one the largest cyber fraud phishing cases to date. The defendants targeted U.S. banks and victimized hundreds and possibly thousands of account holders by stealing their financial information and using it to transfer money to bogus accounts.

Operation Cross Country: As part of the FBI's Innocence Lost National Initiative, 100 children victimized through prostitution were recovered in two separate multi-city sweeps. More than 1,200 individuals-including 60 pimps-were arrested on state and local charges. Details on Cross County III and IV.

Operation Knock Out: The nation's largest gang investigation and prosecution underscored the growing gang problem in the U.S. and the negative impact gangs have on communities. The Los Angeles investigation involved more than 1,400 officers from more than 40 federal, state, and local agencies. By October, some 200 defendants had been indicted, and the case continues.

Pfizer fraud: In the largest health care fraud settlement in Department of Justice history, the pharmaceutical giant agreed in September to pay $2.3 billion to resolve charges of illegal and fraudulent promotion of its products.

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